Appendix C. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN THE COMMON SCHOOLS 

 OF NEW YORK. 



The beginnings of systematic instruction in agriculture in the common 

 schools of New York is unique in that it resulted from a popular movement 

 originated and carried through hy the farmers themselves. Such movements 

 seldom, if ever, crystallize into law, unless actively promoted by those interested. 

 This involves not merely the adoption of "resolutions,"' which cost nothing, 

 but the sending of some qualified person to the capital of the state during the 

 session of the Legislature, to press it upon the attention of members of that 

 body until the necessary votes are secured. This costs money, unless some 

 public-spirited person is found able and willing to serve at his own expense, 

 and it is greatly to the credit of western New York that they originated the 

 plan and sent their agent to Albany to attend to the passage of the law. 

 As first enacted the law was local, appropriating a comparatively small sum to 

 be expended, at the discretion of Cornell University. The language of the first 

 act was substantially the same, in this respect, as that of the law of 1899, which 

 is given below. This general language left the university free to use its judg- 

 ment as to methods, and the fii'st work was avowedly experimental. The suc- 

 cess, however, was so immediate and marked that after the first j'ear or two 

 the appropriation was largely increased, and was directed to be expended 

 "throughout the state," as expressed in the act of 1899, which is here printed 

 as a model for farmers in other states to work for. Its great value is that it 

 leaves the university authorities untrammeled. Conditions in difierent states 

 will seldom be the same, and it is wisest to leave the university authorities free 

 to deal with whatever conditions may exist, they being held responsible that 

 interest among farmers shall be actually awakened, and agricultural instruction 

 actually brought to the homes of the people. As the result of the New York 

 law, the director of the Cornell Station lately wrote me that the station was 

 directly influencing more than 200,000 persons. 



THE NEW YORK LAW. 



The people of the state of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, 

 do enact as follows : — 



Section 1. For the promotion of agricultural knowledge throughout the 

 state, the sum of $35,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby 



^553) 



