16 



car, in which were displayed samples of a great variety of farm 

 crops, fruits, vegetables, fiber crops, etc., that were grown in 

 the state, mostly at the Experiment Stations. In addition to 

 operating the train, the Southern Pacific Company provided a 

 dining car and standard sleeper for those assisting in the opera- 

 tion of the train and delivering lectures. The train traversed 

 a little over a thousand miles of territory and meetings were 

 held at forty-one places, with a total attendance of approxi- 

 mately 55,000 people. So far as we have the records, this is the 

 most successful farmers' demonstration train yet operated in 

 the United States, and the first to be operated in Louisiana in 

 which exhibit material was adequately provided. 



PARISH FAIRS. 



At a considerable number of parish fairs members of the 

 Experiment Station staff acted as special judges of livestock 

 and agricultural exhibits. The demand for judges trained in 

 special lines of agriculture is fortunately becoming more and 

 more pronounced,- which is of itself an indication of the growth 

 and improvement in the character of parish fairs. 



EXCURSIONS TO THE EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



In June, 1910, the Boys' Corn Clubs of Avoyelles Parish 

 came in a special train to Baton Rouge to visit the Experiment 

 Station and University. About 600 boys and men visited the 

 Experiment Station and went over the plots upon that occasion. 

 It is to be hoped that this kind of interest in Experiment Station 

 work will be encouraged in every way possible. 



Also, in June, 1910, the Frisco Railroad ran a special train 

 from Baton Rouge to the Rice Experiment Station at Crowley, 

 and a very large number of the members of the Legislature, 

 including the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and other 

 state officials, made the trip and went over the grounds of the 

 new Rice Station. The visitors were most cordially received 

 and dined by the citizens of Crowely, who, as it will be remem- 

 bered, contributed very liberally to the founding of the Rice 

 Station. 



FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



The members of the Station staff have been called upon 

 more extensively than ever before for special addresses at 



