CORRELATING AGRICULTURE IN NORTHERN STATES. 5 



HOW TO KEEP UP THE CLUB INTEREST. 



The success of the rural school club depends largely upon the 

 cooperation of the rural school teacher, county superintendent of edu- 

 cation, extension representative (county agent), and the club leader 

 of the State college of agriculture. Shortly after the club is organ- 

 ized in any rural school the teacher should submit the names of the 

 members to the county superintendent of education, who will assist 

 in furnishing the club with literature directing them in the work. 

 The teacher will find it advantageous to have the extension repre- 

 sentative (county agent) make talks before the school, as well as 

 visit the contestants' home projects as he makes his rounds from 

 time to time. The teacher should visit the homes of all club mem- 

 bers and, together with the boys and girls and any other members 

 of their families, go to the prize acres, etc., and have the owners tell 

 the methods of preparing the soil, fertilizing, and cultivating the 

 crop. The results of such a trip will present much material for dis- 

 cussion at club meetings and regular class instruction in agriculture. 

 For every school club there should be a local committee of three men 

 and three women who will encourage the children, interest influential 

 members of the community in the club, and inspect from time to 

 time the work of the club. 



SCHOOL-EXHIBIT DAY. 



In order to bring to a close the contest work of the boys and girls, 

 one day of the school year should be set apart for the display of the 

 club projects and of their other efforts. The small exhibit in the local 

 school is of most value, and often it is possible for two or more 

 schools to combine in having their school exhibit. 



To make the school exhibit a success, not only the children but 

 the parents must be enlisted. The social element in it is very impor- 

 tant. Every parent must be so interested that he will feel he must 

 be present. Plan for an entire day given to the special occasion. If 

 there is one in the vicinity who can give anything valuable to agri- 

 culture, secure him as a speaker. If this is done, have two programs, 

 one in the forenoon for the speaker and one in the afternoon when 

 the children shall take the prominent place. 



Have the children's program plan to show the results of the club- 

 project work and other home efforts. Let it include the best com- 

 positions written on the more interesting phases of the work. The 

 history of corn, the importance of corn in America, the development 

 of breakfast foods, my experience in growing corn, my success with 

 poultry, games that I like on the farm, why farmers should spray, 

 value of birds to the farmer, and number of days of work needed for 

 one man and a team to raise and harvest an acre of corn are sug- 

 gested as additional subjects. 



