ii TO THE TEACHER 



various forms of extension work, with a view to offering 

 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 and by so doing reach all 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 training for leadership and 

 in principles of cooperation in addition to the work of 

 specified nature with state or national club organizations. 

 In either case a certain amount of school credit may be al- 

 lowed for home and club work satisfactorily done. 



Agricultural club projects. The United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture in cooperation with the state col- 

 leges 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 directors, county 

 agricultural agents of 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 extension agency to 

 text-book and class-room work. Through the club it is pos- 

 sible to translate book and laboratory information into real 

 action in the field, with the herds, and in the home. Agri- 

 cultural club work will also do much to bridge the gap that 

 has so long existed between the home and the school. 



The number of club projects. The club idea must 

 not, however, be overdone. It is possible to start so many 

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



