660 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



the schools have not yet undertaken this work and others in which, al- 

 though it has been begun, there still are districts where clubs have not 

 yet been organized. 



In such states and in such districts the farmers' institute can materially 

 assist in inaugurating the movement for the introduction of agriculture 

 into the public schools by giving information to teachers, county superin- 

 tendents, and parents respecting this kind of work, and may go to the 

 extent of organizing and conducting clubs as samples of what the schools 

 should do in this direction. 



As soon as the institute has organized such a club and has succeeded 

 in interesting a group of children of school age and their teachers in con- 

 test work, it should turn it over to the school authorities for further at- 

 tention and control. The school being on the ground and having to do 

 with the child's education for the greater portion of several years, is in 

 position to take charge of the club and guide its operations far better 

 than any other organization. Children, therefore, of school age (10 to 14 

 years), should be committed to the school authorities for agricultural club 

 work during the period of their connection with the school. After leaving 

 school, the farmers' institute for young people can take charge and give 

 them the special vocational training that they need to become proficient 

 in the practical operations of the farm. 



The form of organization to be adopted by the institute directors for 

 these clubs is primarily that of the club as organized by the public school, 

 and since the work is assumed only temporarily or until the school is 

 ready to take it off the hands of the institute people it should possess 

 the characteristics of the club as organized for school purposes. 



THE OPPORTUNITIES. 



Hitherto the farmers' institute has devoted its energies almost exclu- 

 sively to interesting adults in agriculture and household art. It has se- 

 lected its subjects for discussion and chosen its instruction with this in 

 view. A new field of activity has suddenly opened up, one that is alto- 

 gether unoccupied and for which no adequate provision has yet been made 

 — the vocational training in agriculture of country youth between 14 and 

 18 or 19 years of age. 



After 14 the public school does not and, as at present constituted, can 

 not reach the majority of rural youth with agricultural instruction. What 

 the secondary schools may ultimately accomplish in this direction has not 

 yet been revealed. In the mean time these youths are growing up, many 

 of them with no proper appreciation of country life or of its advantages 

 and opportunities in a business way over those of the towns and cities. 

 The farmers' institute can change all this by modifying its present methods 

 to suit the ages, needs, and degrees of advancement of these youth. It 

 should avail itself of the opportunity now presented and occupy this field. 

 By doing so it will not only be following out the purpose of its organiza- 

 tion, but will also perform valuable service in the present effort for the 

 development of agricultural education and become an important factor in 

 shaping the future of the world-wide movement for agricultural extension 

 now under way. 



