378 RURAL SOCIOLOGY 



difficulty could be met only by a general campaign of the same 

 character for the purpose of bringing about a diversification of 

 crops and better agricultural practices. The purpose was to 

 bring about such a change that the farmer would not be de- 

 pendent entirely upon cotton for both income and maintenance. 

 Therefore, demonstrations in corn and many other crops were 

 instituted in the same way. 



The work was almost an immediate success. Thousands of ex- 

 amples or "demonstrations" were created by farmers through 

 the instructions of the department's agents under Dr. Knapp's 

 leadership. Meetings were held at the demonstrations and expe- 

 riences compared at the end of the season. During the first year 

 or two the work covered a great deal of territory. The demon- 

 strations were scattered along railroads and main highways 

 where they could be easily reached and seen. One agent was 

 compelled to cover considerable territory. However, the effect 

 was to restore confidence, and give the people hope and some- 

 thing to live on while they readjusted their agriculture to meet 

 the new conditions. Gradually the farmers began to understand 

 that they could raise cotton in spite of the weevil, and the full 

 restoration of prosperity was only a matter of time and the ex- 

 tension of the new type of education. 



The General Education Board of New York was, at that time, 

 engaged in an earnest effort to assist southern education, not 

 only in colleges, but in secondary schools, and even the primary 

 rural schools. Their attention had been called to the rural prob- 

 lem and to the rural schools and the general educational needs 

 of the country. While studying the situation with a view to 

 greater assistance, they came in contact with the work of the 

 department under Dr. Knapp. Their representatives visited 

 Texas, met Dr. Knapp and studied his work. They were in- 

 terested and impressed with Dr. Knapp's statement that in 

 meeting an emergency he had found an opportunity to put into 

 practice an idea he had worked out which he believed to be of 

 universal application. They, therefore, offered to furnish the 

 necessary funds to permit Dr. Knapp to try his plan in sections 

 of the South far removed from the influence of the boll weevil, 

 if arrangements could be made with the department of agricul- 

 ture for the trial. As a result of their effort the offer was ac- 



