126 THE COUNTY AGENT'S SERVICES 



in detail and carried through to the letter is one of the 

 first essentials of success. It is well to have several things 

 going on at once in order to meet the requirements of dif- 

 ferent ages and the tastes of different groups. If this is 

 done, care must be used to see that undesirable conflicts are 

 avoided. 



There will always be more or less local talent available 

 in the county, such as song leaders, Y. M. C. A. secretries 

 and others who can help in the organizing and conduct of 

 such gatherings. In some of the states specialists in rural 

 sociology and rural organization are available at the state 

 colleges to assist with the programs. Full responsibility 

 should be delegated to some competent person who should 

 be in charge of each part of the program. The county 

 agent should not try to do it all himself, but should delegate 

 everything possible to others. He will be busy enough 

 seeing that all of the machinery runs smoothly. 



A location must be chosen which is suitable and con- 

 venient. Such a location should be chosen with the follow- 

 ing things in mind : Shade, drinking water, clean grounds, 

 care of rubbish, room for sports, retiring conveniences, etc. 

 Picnic lunches are usually best on such occasions because 

 they throw groups of people together and tend more toward 

 a social good time. But some provision must usually be 

 made for those who cannot conveniently bring lunches. It 

 is well to see that city and village people cooperate as well 

 as farmers.. Farmers alone do not often constitute a com- 

 munity. The best community spirit cannot be developed 

 unless all its component groups participate. 



RURAL DRAMATICS 



The play or drama given in the rural community by local 

 talent may be a useful means not only of developing the 



