6 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 



tific management of the entire farm. Added to skill there must 

 be knowledge and understanding. 



What the Federal Law Requires. — Under th,e Smith-Hughes 

 law passed by Congress early in 1917, vocational instruction 

 in agriculture — to quote its language — "must provide for 

 directed or supervised practice in agriculture either in a farm 

 provided by the school or other farms for at least six months 

 per year." There can be no question as to the meaning or the 

 intent of this law. It demands that agricultural instruction 

 shall be useful, practical, and of immediate application. 



What This Text is Designed to Accomplish. — The authors 

 of this book have long held the opinion that is expressed in 

 the Smith-Hughes law and made a condition of its fulfilment. 

 They have therefore made radical departures from the usual 

 style of textbook construction. In addition to the informa- 

 tional material, emphasis is placed on frequent sets of Exercises 

 intended to provoke class discussion and to direct attention 

 to the established practices on the home farm. Following 

 these exercises are lists of Home Projects designed to suggest 

 how the lessons gained from study of the text may be turned at 

 once to practical account. 



It is beUeved that by following the plan set forth in this 

 volume teachers of vocational agriculture may fulfil the most 

 vigorous demands of the Smith-Hughes law. It is hoped that 

 students may also find herein something of inspiration, as well 

 as of immediate practical use. 



KIRK LESTER HATCH. 



