THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



Work in all Southern States east of the boll weevil advance. 

 The appropriations by Congress to the Department of Agri- 

 culture were for the purpose of fighting the boll weevil, conse- 

 quently, the Board at that time was paying the expenses of 

 the work from the State of Mississippi east. The agents were 

 selected by Dr. Knapp, acting for the Department of Agri- 

 culture, the Board paid the salaries and traveling expenses 

 of these agents on vouchers prepared in D!r. Knapp 's ofiSce. 



Because of the limitations of the Congressional appro- 

 priation and the necessary restrictions of Departmental regu- 

 lations, the funds from the General Education Board were 

 most helpful. The members of the Board had the greatest 

 confidence in Dr. Knapp 's probity and judgment. They sup- 

 ported him in the widest latitude of initiative and enterprise. 

 In the matter of travel expenses alone they were willing to 

 have frequent meetings of agents for instruction and inspira- 

 tion. They were glad to have state and district agents sent to 

 different parts of the country to see good farming and splendid 

 live stock. Dr. Knapp even sent his leading agents to Canada 

 to observe methods of work there. It was the fixed policy 

 in the administration of the work, also, to have representa- 

 tives present at all important educational conventions and 

 conferences. He paid, from Board funds, most of the ex- 

 penses of the Boys' Club work in co-operation with the col- 

 leges. He matched these funds with thousands of dollars 

 from boards of education, chambers of commerce, bankers, 

 county commissioners, county courts and others in the pro- 

 motion of the work for men and boys, but the funds of the 

 General Education Board were peculiarly helpful, and effec- 

 tive in the inauguration of the Girls' Clubs and the Home 

 Demonstration Work. When Dr. Knapp went to the Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture with the request for the appointment of 



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