38 THE COUNTY AGENT'S SERVICES 



taught. Some subjects lend themselves better to one 

 means of teaching than to others. 



Three general methods or means of teaching are open 

 to county agents to use: (1) The demonstration method 

 or teaching to do by showing or by doing, (2) the lecture 

 method, by means of the spoken word, and (3) the reading 

 method, through publications, letters or some other form 

 of the written word. Taken singly these are probably 

 mentioned in the order of their importance and effective- 

 ness. But each supplements the other and all should be 

 and usually are used together. The most successful 

 teacher makes one aid the other in bringing home the 

 message. 



TEACHING BY SHOWING AND BY DOING 



This is peculiarly an age when people are demanding 

 the proof of what is advocated. Farmers in particular 

 want to see evidence that the thing taught will be suc- 

 cessful and produce desirable results in practice. More 

 and more is proof asked for. This desire is in part an 

 outgrowth of the necessity of applying and localizing 

 teaching. Especially does the county agent more than 

 most teachers have to live with the results of his teachings. 

 They determine his own future and that of his work. This 

 desire for proof is also in line with the modern increase in 

 the use of the eye as a supplement to the ear. Reading 

 habits have to a considerable degree given way to "movie"* 

 habits. The tendency is a part of the general idea that 

 (t seeing is believing." 



Although the demonstration method of teaching may be 

 the most convincing it has its limitations. It is often the 

 most expensive and therefore not always the most prac- 

 ticable. Nor is it always applicable to the problem in 

 hand. 



