AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE EXTENSION SERVICE. 



By Professor M. S. McDowell, 



Pennsylvania State College, School of Agriculture. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: Some time ago, when land was cheap and the 

 cost of living was comparatively low, the farmer was a negligible quantity 

 except possibly at certain seasons of the year. Today he is a very much 

 sought-after individual. 



I have been much interested in the splendid showing made by our 

 friends from Ohio. I am sure that the young men and women they have 

 brought here will be an inspiration, not only to Ohio people, but to we 

 Pennsylvanians as well. 



Mr. Agee referred to the fact that there has been developed much 

 information along scientific lines. This information has been developed 

 from many sources. The Experiment Stations have had a large part in 

 developing that information. The problem of the extension work is to 

 get this information before the farmers in an efficient way. In the exten- 

 sion work which we are doing at State College the aim is not only to assist 

 in increasing production but to increase it at a greater net return for the 

 farmer. Any business man, when he puts additional money into that 

 business, is putting it in with the idea of reaping a reasonable profit on 

 that extra investment. So it is with the farmer. If he makes two blades 

 of grass grow where one grew before, he must do it with a greater net profit. 

 It is not altogether simply a problem of growing more than had been grown 

 before. The educational factor is a large factor in increasing those net 

 returns. There are other problems involved, some of which have been 

 discussed here. Even in connection with problems of distribution, the edu- 

 cational factor is a very large one. 



I want to take a short time to tell you what we are doing in the 

 agricultural extension work in Pennsylvania. In the first place, we have 

 a winter course in agriculture designed for the young men and young 

 women who do not have the time or money, and who are not prepared to 

 spend four years or two years in training for their lifework, but who can 

 spend twelve weeks during the winter months in getting some training. 



We now have 176 students. Six of them are women. In three 

 instances men and their wives are taking the course. The work is arranged 

 by subjects so that the individual may get the things in which he is 

 interested. If he is interested in dairying he can take work along that line. 

 Those interested in fruit can take branches relating to horticulture. Some 



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