THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



ciples which stand for the best results and to repeat this line of 

 instruction on every occasion until every farmer works according 

 to some system and knows the methods that make for success in- 

 stead of charging failure to the moon, to the season, to the soil, or 

 to bad luck. It requires several years to so impress these teachings 

 upon the masses, even when supported by demonstrations, that they 

 become the general custom of the country. The first year a few try 

 the plan on small areas; the second year these greatly enlarge the 

 area and some of their neighbors follow their example; the third 

 year possibly 40 or 50 per cent adopt some of the methods, and so 

 work progresses by the force of demonstration and public opinion 

 until its general adoption is secured. No one is asked to believe 

 anything not clearly proved." 



"The campaigns for the ensuing year are planned in September, 

 and active work commences in October by calling public meetings in 

 every district to be worked, at which is shown the great advantage 

 to all the people of increasing the crop yield two, three or four 

 fold, and it is made clear that this can be done by adopting better 

 methods. In country villages the banker, the merchant, and the 

 editor join with the leading farmers of the section in indorsing the 

 progressive plans of the Demonstration Work; farmers agree to 

 follow instructions, and demonstration plots of one or more acres 

 are located so as to place a sample of the best farming in each 

 neighborhood of a county or district. There must be enough of these 

 to allow every farmer to see one or more during the crop growing 

 period. The necessary work on the plot must be done by the farmer 

 and not by a Government agent, because the whole object lesson is 

 thereby brought closer to the people. The demonstration farmer 

 understands it better because he does the work and his neighbors 

 believe that what he has done they can do." 



"The process of changing the environment of a farmer is like 

 that of transforming a farm boy into a scholar. First, the farmer is 

 selected to conduct a simple and inexpensive demonstration. Second, 

 a contract is drawn with The United States Department of Agri- 

 culture by which he agrees to follow certain instructions. Third, 

 better seed is furnished him and his name is published in the papers. 

 Fourth, each month when the Government's field agent goes to in- 

 spect his demonstration many of his neighbors are invited; con- 



[i6] 



