PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CONTACTS 119 



agent in making a farm visit is important. It will be well 

 if his automobile is not too expensive, because this suggests 

 an easy time and a good salary. The county agent should 

 not be so well dressed as to give any suggestion of hesi- 

 tancy to get his feet or clothes dirty or to lend a helping 

 hand with the hay or with repairing some farm machinery, 

 nor to make the farmer feel that he ought not to invite the 

 agent to the barn or field. On the other hand, many county 

 agents go too far and dress so carelessly as to appear 

 slouchy in dress and to be catering for favor by this means. 

 This sets a bad example. In a word, the county agent 

 making a farm visit, should be his own self-respecting 

 self, and dressed for the occasion. He should never be 

 patronizing, but always free and open and inviting ques- 

 tions and confidence. Without being in too much of a 

 hurry, he should be businesslike and leave as soon as he is 

 through. He should not waste either his own or the farm- 

 er's time. 



CONTACT IN PUBLIC MEETINGS 



Clarity and conciseness in public talks, together with 

 ability to stop when one has delivered his message, are jew- 

 els much to be desired in the crown of a public speaker. 

 The ability to concentrate on a few outstanding important 

 points is very desirable. An audience is most likely to 

 remember and benefit by condensed statements. Long 

 drawn out discussions are likely to confuse and leave noth- 

 ing distinctive to remember. Lack of emphasis in public 

 address is a serious fault. 



Personal attitude and appearance before an audience has 

 much to do with the effectiveness of this form of con- 

 tact in producing useful reactions. Confidence without 

 over-assurance, boastfulness or suggestion of egotism is a 

 very desirable quality. Evident mastery of a subject tends 



