1909.] Co-operative Demonstration Work in U.S. 135 



is marked in every part of the United States, even in the 

 richest lands of the prairies. It marks the pioneer stage of 

 land usage. It has now become an acute national danger, 

 and the economic, social, and political problems arising out 

 of it must at once receive the best attention of statesmen." 



The supply of agricultural labour also constitutes a 

 problem of some importance, the conditions affecting it being 

 in many respects similar to those prevailing in this country. 



One of the most interesting steps taken by the United 

 States Department of Agriculture for the improvement of 

 agriculture is what is known as the 

 Co-operative Farmers' Co-operative Demonstration 



Demonstration Work Work, which places a practical object- 

 in the United States, lesson before the smaller farmers with 

 the view of illustrating the best and 

 most profitable methods of producing crops. It has been 

 developed chiefly in the southern portions of the United 

 States, where education, wages, profits, and rural conditions 

 generally are on a lower plane than other parts of the 

 Republic. 



Active work commences in October by calling public 

 meetings in each district, at which the advantages of im- 

 proved methods are explained. Demonstration plots are 

 arranged on the farms of men who will agree to follow 

 instructions, in such a way as to admit of every farmer in 

 the neighbourhood seeing one or more of them during the 

 season. Each month instructions are sent to every demon- 

 strator and co-operator, clearly outlining the plan for 

 managing the crop (chiefly cotton, maize, tobacco), and, in 

 addition, a local agent calls each month to explain anything 

 not understood in the instructions. All the co-operating 

 farmers are invited to meet the State Agent at one of the 

 demonstration plots with the view of discussing the methods, 

 and it has been found that these meetings have been wonder- 

 fully effective in arousing local interest. A circular setting 

 out the fundamental requirements of good farming is sent 

 out in advance to provide a basis for discussion. 



It is regarded as of the greatest importance to confine the 

 work to a few leading crops, and the instruction to the basic 



