DEVELOPMENT OF THE FARM DEMONSTRATION AGENCY 



100 years before the local clubs grew to such proportions as 

 to have a far-reaching importance. At present they are fed- 

 erated into a national organization, but the Roj^al is a dif- 

 ferent organization. It promotes research and other scientific 

 work. They receive gifts from philanthropic citizens for the 

 promotion of their activities, also fees. 



In 1864 the Danish Government gave greater effectiveness 

 to the consulants b}^ approving the work of the Society and 

 making appropriations for the continuance and expansion of 

 this system of instruction. It is worthy of notice, in passing, 

 that the above-named countries, not having emphasized the 

 demonstration method of teaching, did not appreciate the im- 

 portance of the Junior Demonstration Work which has been 

 pushed with such success in this country as Boys ' Farm Clubs 

 and Girls' Home Clubs. Some of these countries are moving 

 now to organize such clubs and also to develop the demonstra- 

 tion idea to a greater extent among adults. 



In Denmark there are consulants in dairying, in plant 

 culture, in agricultural machinery and other lines. They are 

 more like the specialists in this country. Perhaps they come 

 in closer touch with the farmers than our specialists do, except 

 in the smaller states of our country. In most sections of the 

 United States the county agent is the real connecting link 

 between the experimental, or theoretical side, and the practical 

 and utilitarian. He must have workable knowledge and usable 

 information available or he must be able to find it on short 

 notice. He becomes a walking encyclopaedia and also a skill- 

 ful performer in numerous lines. If he finds a farmer with his 

 tractor or cultivator out of fix, he must be able to locate the 

 trouble and get the machine going again. In this age of 

 invention and improvement in manufacture, mechanical skill 

 and knowledge are indispensable. The A. & M. landgrant col- 



