THE AGRICULTURAL PHASE 75 



particularly in the improvement of school- 

 grounds and the planting of gardens. 



7. By direct personal correspondence with 

 parents, teachers, ministers and other interested 

 parties. 



(A) A Farmers' Reading-Course ; inducing actual 

 farmers to pursue definite courses of reading in 

 the winter season. The farmer who desires to 

 read books will help himself. In this work, the 

 effort is made to gain the attention of those who 

 do not read books. The literature is furnished by 

 the University, being written by members of the 

 Extension Staff. This literature is in the form of 

 easy eight-page " Reading-Lessons/' detailing 

 principles. Each lesson is accompanied by a set of 

 questions, the answers of which are sent to the 

 Bureau, entitling the reader to remain on the 

 rolls. The Reading-Lessons are in three series of 

 five each, as follows : 



First-year series, on soil and plant-food. 



Second-year series, on stock-feeding and dairying. 



Third-year series, on fruit-growing. 



Each reader takes these series in course. If 

 any one desires to continue his reading beyond the 

 third year, he is recommended to books. 



The readers are aided in the formation of 

 Reading-Clubs, to meet twice each month for 

 the five winter months, thereby devoting two 

 discussions to each lesson. Inspectors and lecturers 

 visit the clubs. 



The Reading-Club may arrange for experiments 

 on local agricultural difficulties, to be conducted 



