SUPERVISION, INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT 



Many of the club members have grown better corn and pigs, 

 and produced better poultry and preserves because of the 

 visits and encouragements from teachers whose influence and 

 approbation they hold in high esteem. 



There is another type of supporting opinion which the 

 work is now receiving in large measure, and which at one 

 time was more meager. This is the sentiment of the professors 

 and scientists in the agricultural colleges, the Department 

 and universities generally. In the beginning, quite a num- 

 ber of these men seemed to look upon the new development 

 with a feeling of doubt, if not of jealousy. Many of them 

 seemed to think that the experiment stations and the teach- 

 ing agencies thus far established were sufficient in them- 

 selves. They were inclined to antagonize any new method of 

 procedure. This attitude on their part is another illustration 

 of the fact that inventions and reforms are seldom inaugur- 

 ated by professional educators who have settled down into 

 routine activities. The demand for reforms in education 

 comes from outside the teaching force more often than from 

 within. However, when the demand is recognized and the 

 improvements begun, such people can usually be depended 

 upon to use their trained minds and funds to carry it for- 

 ward. This has been the history of the demonstration work. 

 Many men who did not support it at first are now among 

 its strongest adherents and promoters. Some of the men in 

 charge of the work in the colleges now have a splendid 

 insight into its meaning and possibilities and are conduct- 

 ing it with zeal and efficiency. Reference has already been 

 made to the prompt and cordial support given by business 

 men from the beginning. They have realized that the best 

 way to build up their towns is to build up the surrounding 

 country. The 1920 Census figures show that the cities and 



