456 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



youths' departments of the agi'icultural and horticultural so- 

 cieties of the State, under the general sui)ervision of the State 

 Board of Agriculture. , 



The other branch of the organization is known as the Boys' 

 and Girls' Agi'icultural Club. This is made up, for the most 

 part, of young people in the upper grammar grades and of 

 high school age. The areas cultivated by members of this 

 branch range from one-twentieth of an acre, as a minimum for 

 market gardening, to one acre or over for com growers. The 

 market gardeners may grow any number of vegetables they 

 choose. Other members of agricultural clubs concentrate their 

 efforts more or less upon one ma'in enterprise, such as corn 

 growing, potato growing, egg production, hay production or 

 work in home economics. In the promotion of these special 

 lines there is strong emphasis placed on the desirability of 

 doing a task worthy of the best efforts of a high-minded boy 

 or girl. The competition in one of these self-imposed tasks, 

 carried through under proper guidance, is recognized as a true 

 achievement. Substantially all the work of the Boys' and 

 Girls' Agricultural Club is on a competitive basis. Every one 

 who enters this branch of the work does so with the under- 

 standing that he or she is in a contest competing for a sub- 

 stantial prize. The individual reaching the highest rank in 

 market gardening, corn growing, potato growing, egg produc- 

 tion, hay production or work in home economics is given a free 

 trip to Washington, District of Columbia, lasting from three 

 to four days. Two others, whose ranks come next in order, are 

 given an educational trip about New England. Still others 

 whose ranks indicate noteworthy and meritorious work are 

 given a free week's outing at the Massachusetts Agricultural 

 College. This may take the form of attendance at Farmers' 

 Week, or a boys' camp at the college during the summer. In 

 all cases it includes instruction, recreation, games and other 

 diversions. 



In addition to competing for the prizes just mentioned, all 

 these members may and many of them do enter their products 

 in the competitive exhibits of the children's and youths' depart- 

 ments of agricultural and horticultural societies. Occasionally, 

 individuals of this gi"oup make entries and win prizes in com- 



