EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vol. XX. May, 1909. No. 10. 



The extension of agricultural education work to its full develop- 

 ment must depend largely on its capability of being coordinated with 

 the general educational agencies already in operation. The number 

 of such agencies is great, but they have not yet been brought into that 

 harmony of purpose and action which can secure the largest educa- 

 tional results, and therefore none of them is now used to the best 

 advantage. Consequently, any plan which has for its object the fuller 

 realization of educational possibilities through the utilization and 

 development of agricultural studies as an integral part of the general 

 educational scheme deserves more than passing attention. 



The University of Tennessee has recently inaugurated a unique 

 plan of agricultural extension work in certain high schools of that 

 State. The plan is designed to illustrate in its practical results the 

 cultural value of instruction in agriculture to the general student in 

 secondary schools, as well as its usefulness to those who may sometime 

 follow the business of farming. 



Briefly described, this plan provides for the monthly visitation of 

 a limited number of high schools by the head of the university de- 

 partment of agricultural education, assistant professor Josiah Main, 

 who gives at each visit a lesson and a demonstration, accompanied 

 by an outline of work to be done the next month with suggested read- 

 ings and reviews. He is also regarded as available for any popular 

 lectures on education that may be arranged for in connection with 

 these monthly visits. The university bears all the expenses of this 

 visitation and supervision of the schools — unless the local community 

 desires to provide entertainment for the visitor — but requires each 

 school to assume responsibility for the success of the work by giving 

 it a regular place in the school programme, providing a regular 

 teacher for the class between visits, continuing the work from year 

 to year so long as the university offers cooperation, and ultimately 

 maintaining the work independently of the university connection as 

 soon as financial support and other conditions justify. The exi)ense 

 for material equipment for the work will run from a minimum of $10 

 to whatever the school is willing to provide annually. 



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