DEVELOPMENT OF THE FARM DEMONSTRATION AGENCY 



should understand that such is not always immediately 

 necessary. 



The type of organization which seems to be the most en- 

 during is the selective farmers' club with a limited member- 

 ship. There are several clubs of this kind in the United States 

 which have been in existence more than fifty years. Each club 

 has only twelve members. When a member dies or moves 

 away the remaining eleven elect his successor. It is considered 

 a great honor for a son to succeed his father in this club 

 membership. Such clubs may become buying or selling asso- 

 ciations, or they may co-operate in securing farm loans. The 

 twelve constitute unsurpassed security. These clubs meet 

 monthly at the home of one of the members. Thus each man 

 is responsible for the entertainment of the entire club once 

 a year. It is not a hardship upon anyone, because it does not 

 come often anywhere. It is the custom for an elegant dinner, 

 made from the products of that particular farm, to be served 

 upon the occasion of the annual visitation. 



It goes without saying that everything about the home 

 and upon the farm is in apple pie order when the club meets 

 there. Crops are cultivated, live stock fat and sleek, and 

 implements and machinery in proper place and in good con- 

 dition. These clubs bring in new seed and new stock. They 

 are on the constant lookout for new ideas. Their programs 

 are full of interest and they express themselves freely when 

 examining the farming of their fellow member. There is some- 

 thing about the social, educational and the culinary features of 

 these clubs which seem to give them cohesive power and 

 permanence. 



The very fact that membership is limited and the club 

 exclusive seems to make people want to join. The question 

 arises then, can the county agent, as a representative of the 



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