February, '22] kelly: schools and entomology 57 



We then drove to the second farm selected by the council where we 

 studied weevil in wheat, the fanners accompanying us. The various species 

 of weevil found in the wheat were discussed, and others not present were 

 mentioned. The bin was then measured to determine the number of 

 bushels it contained, examined for cracks, etc., and the temperature of 

 the wheat taken; finally the amount of carbon bisulphide needed was 

 determined. Gunny sacks were placed on the top of the wheat in 

 readiness to receive the carbon bisulphide, the pouring of one pound 

 on each sack was a simple operation; the wheat was fumigated. 



The next stop was for luncheon where we were joined by other farmers 

 and the teachers and pupils of three rural schools. Shortly after apples 

 had been passed, advantage was taken of the opportunity to tell them 

 how the worms were kept out of the apples, and by using simple language 

 the codling moth and several other insects were described; their un- 

 divided attention was given me for forty minutes. 



We were ready to go to our next place when one farmer said he had 

 come to learn about the chinch bug. I requested some of Mr. Capper's 

 boys to explain the subject — they did it well. Another farmer wanted 

 to know about the wheat weevil. The boys told him in a clean-cut 

 decisive manner just how to fumigate the bin. 



At every school visited similar interest was exhibited. The boys 

 and their parencs took advantage of every opportunity to gain all the 

 information possible about insects. In the nineteen schools cooperating, 

 there are about 409 boys and 42 normal training girls. Many of these 

 boys are deeply interested in insects and each of them has written an es- 

 say on one of six entomological subjects submitted to them. These es- 

 says were written under the supervision of the vocational teacher and 

 English teacher of the school. In all the agricultural projects assigned 

 to the boys during this school year, insect control will be included as 

 part of the project. 



The coimty agents in the counties where these schools were located, 

 cooperated with the vocational agriculture teachers in making these 

 meetings a success. The County Agricultural Agent is the recognized 

 local leader in all extension activities in the county. He is the man 

 in the county who disseminates information brought to him by the 

 specialist concerning results obtained by the experiment station and 

 United States Department of Agriculture. 



In order to work most effectively, he must have a system of local 

 organizations. Among these are the agriculture classes in the high 

 schools and rural schools. In developing the agricultural program 

 for any local organization, whether it is crops, horticulture or live stock, 

 insect control is always included as a part of the program. 



