406 AGRICULTURE 



training classes in the rural and village schools so that it 

 will fit into the needs of the farm, the garden and the 

 home. 



Special programs. The county agent should be in- 

 vited to the school, and especially in connection with the 

 special programs of an industrial and agricultural nature. 

 His help can be secured in the conducting of agricultural 

 demonstrations, the judging of grains, fruits, vegetables 

 and stock, and the organization of rural games and con- 

 tests. His advice will be valuable in determining the basis 

 of award and the methods of judging a contest. He should 

 also be consulted with reference to suitable circulars and 

 Farmers' Bulletins for correlation reading in connection 

 with the agricultural and home economics studies of the 

 school. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. Have you a county agricultural agent in your 

 county? If so, who, and how long has he served the 

 county? Where is his office located? Who pays his sal- 



ary 



2. It was estimated that in one county the work 

 of the agent increased the yield of corn by five bushels an 

 acre in a certain year. The county is twenty-four miles 

 square and eighty per cent, of the area is under cultivation. 

 Of that under cultivation forty-five per cent, was in corn. 

 What was the agent's help on the corn crop worth to the 

 county, figuring corn at fifty cents a tnishel? 



3. If your county has no agent, has the matter of se- 

 curing one been discussed ? Do you know what steps would 

 have to be taken to secure an agent? How would the ex- 

 penses have to be met? If you are not certain on these 

 questions inquire of your state agricultural college or the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. 



4. What farm projects in your community need the 

 advice of a county agent? Do you know of land that is 

 foul or run down? Pastures that are weedy or dying out? 

 Swamps that need drainage? Orchards that do not bear 



