THE FARM DEMONSTRATION WORK 



sequently, he will almost unconsciously improve his farm so as to be 

 ready for company and cultivate all of his crops better. Fifth, a 

 report of his extra crop is made in the county papers, his neighbors 

 talk about it and want to buy seed. Sixth, he sells the seed of his 

 crop at a high price. His neighbors ask him how he produced it. He 

 is invited to address public assemblies. He has become a man of 

 note and a leader of the people and can not return to his old ways. 

 Soon there is a body of such men; a township, a county and finally 

 a state is transformed.^' 



It took only a few years for Dr. Knapp's reputation to 

 spread. Calls came for him from state after state. He suc- 

 ceeded in getting small, zealous groups of devoted agents in 

 every state which had been assigned to him. Then, as he 

 visited their conferences in the states to encourage, inspire, 

 and instruct, he continued to strengthen the foundations and 

 unfold the plan of operation. He never lost an opportunity 

 to tell governors, editors, congressmen, educators, and farmers 

 about what had been done and why. The following extracts 

 show the plan of organization and the method of procedure. 

 They are taken from the Yearbook of the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture for 1908. The first also gives a sum- 

 mary of four years' work: 



"The Farmers' Cooperative Demonstration Work is conducted 

 by a special agent in charge, who reports to the Department of 

 Agriculture. There are five general assistants and a full office 

 force; also a corps of field agents is employed, classified according 

 to territory in charge, as state, district and county agents. These 

 agents are selected with special reference to a thorough knowledge of 

 improved agriculture and practical experience in farming in the 

 sections to which appointed. The county agents are appointed 

 mainly upon the advice of local committees of prominent business 

 men and farmers conversant with the territory to be worked. Each 

 agent has in charge the practical work in one or more counties, 

 strictly under such general directions as may be issued from the 

 central office. District agents are expected to have not only a 

 knowledge of scientific agriculture, but to be practical farmers and 



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