PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CONTACTS 115 



too expensive equipment which forms too great a contrast 

 with conditions under which the farmer lives is undesirable. 

 It tends to repel rather than to attract farmers. 



THE OFFICE ITSELF IMPORTANT 



The interior of the office is worthy of much consideration. 

 It is very important that it be neat, orderly and business- 

 like, but not to the extent of being cold and forbidding. 

 It should, on the other hand, be inviting and attractive 

 so that visitors will feel welcome and at home. But care 

 must be used not to carry this to the extent of tempting 

 the office visitor to remain in the office after his business 

 has been transacted. The office should not be a lounging 

 place for loafers, but a busy, workmanlike place of business!. 



Preferably, the county agent's offices should consist of 

 two or three rooms. An outside general reception room 

 with a big table, files, book cases, a stenographer's desk, 

 etc., is very desirable. Such a room should also be large 

 enough for conferences and small meetings on occasion. 

 If another connected waiting and rest room for country 

 people can be made available, this is very desirable. The 

 county agricultural agent and the home demonstration 

 agent should each have separate and private offices off the 

 main central office where they can concentrate on their 

 work, dictate letters and talk privately with visitors. 



The meeting of an office caller is an art which should 

 be studied and cultivated. He should be made to feel 

 welcome and at ease; but at the same time encouraged to 

 state his business definitely and promptly and to ask hia 

 questions without unnecessary delay. The county agent 

 should always be courteous and cordial, but at the same 

 time definite, encouraging and stimulating in his discussion 

 and replies, so that the caller will be left with a desire to 



