THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



A few more words about the history of the establishment 

 of the system of agricultural consulants in Denmark may 

 throw light upon its present status. About 150 years ago the 

 Royal Agricultural Society of Denmark was organized. It 

 was made up of individual farmers at first. This society had, 

 for its object, the improvement of the agriculture of that 

 country. They offered prizes for the best essays and bulletins 

 by leading farmers. The winn^s achieved prominence. Often 

 their counsel was sought and given. The society encouraged 

 those who made real contributions to better agriculture to 

 advise and help others in their parts of the country. Many 

 of them volunteered to give their services to go to the local 

 societies, to schools and public gatherings generally to propa- 

 gate their good work. Their success made their advice helpful 

 and desirable. A county agent may become an adviser after 

 a year of successful work, but he had better not pose as one 

 till he establishes a reputation. 



The Danish Royal Agricultural Society, established in 

 1769, had for its object the promotion of education and agri- 

 culture. It was made up principally of large farmers. The 

 Society offered prizes for the best work in farm management 

 and home improvement and the best popular descriptions of 

 such work. The men who won these premiums were sent 

 around to give lectures to local societies and to farmers in gen- 

 eral. From the very nature of the case their work was largely 

 of the lecture or institutional type. They talked to groups and 

 did not have the time or disposition to undertake to impress 

 lessons upon them through individual demonstrations. How- 

 ever, the activities of such traveling instructors gradually 

 developed the duties of consulants or counselors. 



The Royal Agricultural Society developed first, but it 

 promoted the local organizations afterwards. It was about 



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