ii TO THE TEACHER 



various forms of extension work, with a view to oftermg 

 the services of the educational institution to those who can 

 not go to college. The time has come when the public 

 school should also offer some such form of extension serv- 

 ice reaching the homes of its patrons. 



Plans for extension projects. Agricultural extension 

 work can be carried out by the public schools according to 

 two different plans: (1) the setting of certain definite 

 home or farm "projects," or specific pieces of work, to be 

 carried out by the individual pupils as a part of the course 

 in agriculture; or (2) the organization of agricultural 

 clubs, which provide for group, or coordinated, work of 

 specified nature, usually in conjunction with state or national 

 club organizations. In either case a certain amount of 

 school credit should be allowed for home and club work 

 satisfactorily done. 



Agricultural club projects. The United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture has undertaken the organization of 

 boys' and girls' clubs in every state in the Union, and, 

 wherever possible, works in connection with the public 

 schools. Government experts, state club managers, county 

 agricultural agents and the state agricultural colleges all 

 stand ready to help organize, promote and direct these 

 clubs. 



The teacher of agriculture will find the club a great 

 incentive to pupils, and an invaluable adjunct to text-book 

 and class-room work. Through the club it is possible to 

 translate book and laboratory information into real action 

 in the field, with the herds, and in the home. Agricultural 

 club work will also do much to bridge the gap that has so 

 lung existed between the home and the school. 



The number of club projects. The club idea must 

 in >t. however, be overdone. It is possible to start so many 

 projects that none of them can be well supervised or sue- 



