ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART XI 657 



The course should begin with a simple exercise like the growing of 

 some common crop and end with the more difficult, as a daily record 

 for twelve months of the operations of a farm, with comments on these 

 operations, and a set of books showing the loss or gain of the enterprise 

 for the year. 



The series of courses should embrace cereal crops, staple crops, forage 

 crops, root crops, garden vegetables, greenhouse and hothouse manage- 

 ment, marketing products, etc., requiring for graduation the completion 

 of the course. By thus systematizing the instruction experience would 

 be had along all lines of farm operations. A similar course should be 

 prepared for contest work in domestic science and household art. 



By the method of pursuing a systematic course for four or five years 

 the practical work of the young people's institute would be preparatory to 

 their undertaking the larger operations of a farm or home, and instead 

 of the contest exercises being disconnected and incomplete, as now, they 

 would be systematized into a course that would cover the principal oper- 

 ations of a farm and be of real service in the future life of the contest- 

 ant. 



PRIZES. 



It has been found by experience that young people are greatly attracted 

 and influenced by rewards, and that they value these rewards far above 

 their worth in cash. A trip to the state fair, the present of a well-bred 

 calf, a trio of chickens, a magazine subscription, a set of books, a medal 

 or certificate of proficiency, all have been tested and found to be a strong 

 incentive to enter competitions and carry them out to the end. Expenses 

 of a short course at the college of agriculture or of a summer outing at 

 a young people's encampment are some of the more expensive as well as 

 the most beneficial prizes that have been offered. 



Money for prizes can usually be secured without difficulty by applying 

 to public-spirited citizens in the community for contributions, many of 

 whom are glad of the opportunity to assist worthy young people in any 

 effort that they may make to better their condition and become more useful 

 citizens of the State. 



BOYS' ENCAMPMENT. 



In a few States the farmers' institute and the college of agriculture, 

 by conducting what are called boys' encampments, have interested in 

 agricultural subjects many boys who would not join the ordinary club 

 contest. The camping-out idea appeals to them as a pleasant and en- 

 joyable diversion, and the lectures, demonstrations, and judging contests 

 which form a part of their daily life for the week or two during which 

 the camp is held are pursued with pleasure as well as profit. Their in- 

 terest is aroused by the scientific features of subjects which they have 

 never before understood and which are here exhibited in their relation 

 to the practical. Many boys who otherwise would never have been 

 reached are thus started in search of further useful information. These 

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