PERSONAL AND SQCIAL CONTACTS 113 



for the six-year period from 1915 to 1920. This number is 

 increasing and was more than twelve hundred in 1920. 

 In certain counties the number of office calls is from 

 two to three times this number, depending largely on 

 the location of the office in the county with reference 

 to its center, its general accessibility and attractive- 

 ness, on the local policy and on the personality of 

 the county agent. The 1,000 or more voluntary calls 

 made at his office annually constitute a real opportunity for 

 service and a challenge to the county agent. In addition 

 to personal visits, thousands of telephone calls are received 

 annually. 



The office call is a valuable contact because it is per- 

 sonal man to man. Moreover, it usually represents effort 

 and initiative on the part of the caller. It also indicates 

 knowledge of the county agent and appreciation of the 

 fact that he may be able to render a needed service. It 

 implies confidence that the county agent will be able to 

 furnish what is wanted. The office caller is a seeker after 

 something. The county agent has or should have in his 

 office all the facts at hand in references, charts, figures, 

 proofs. Usually it is the county agent's own fault if the 

 maximum value of the office call is not secured and the 

 farmer given real help. 



Some county seats or office centers are so located that 

 they cannot serve the whole county. This will be readily 

 seen by comparing two counties. The county seat of county 

 number one is the geographical center of a level, gently 

 rolling area with splendid state roads radiating from the 

 county seat at regular intervals. A trolley system also 

 extends out from the center in all directions as do steam 

 railroads. It is a natural business and trading center. 

 The number of office calls in this county in 1921 was 2,254. 

 The county seat of county number two is a railroad, June- 



