44 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY [1912-13 



correspondence courses and lectures are instrumental in pre- 

 senting the science of agriculture. The Dairy Improvement 

 Association, Agriculture Improvement Associations, demonstra- 

 tion orchards and other efforts demonstrate the practical bear- 

 ing of the various scientific truths. The Extension Service aims 

 to prove the efficiency of agricultural science in practice. 



The Agricultural College, through its Division of Extension 

 Service, has placed an agricultural county field agent in this 

 district. I have the honor of representing the college in this 

 capacity, through an appointment which took effect September 

 last. The county field agent does not pass as an expert on all 

 agricultural and horticultural problems. The very nature and 

 scope of the work would, of necessity, make any such attempt 

 futile. The County Field Age at functions as a clearing house, 

 if you please, between the farmer on the one hand, and on the 

 other, the most reliable agricultural information. He is a co- 

 worker, who must needs be in sympathy with, and an active 

 supporter of, all agencies at work for rural development. The 

 County Field Agant conducts in this connection a demonstra- 

 tion farm, not an experimental farm but a purely business 

 proposition — a farm that aims to produce a profit and, at the 

 same time, increase the soil fertility. Since his appointment 

 the County Field Agent has visited a number of farmers in 

 this county by request, has helped scores of farmers with their 

 problems; has organized courses in agriculture where the 

 demand has been urgent; and lectured before many of the 

 high schools and other organizations in the county in an effort 

 to stimulate a deeper interest in agricultural education. The 

 County Agent plan has been highly successful in Ontario and 

 the same general plan promises to be of great value to the 

 farmers of this county when once firmly established. 



We have considered in brief some of the more important 

 developments that have taken place in this county. The ex- 

 tent to which this work will be carried on in the future will 

 depend very largely upon the action of the legislature now in 

 session, in providing the necessary appropriations. It is hoped 

 that the vital importance of this work will be appreciated, and 



