October, '15] COOLEY: AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE EXTENSION. WORK 445 



His relationships with the home institution will necessaril}^ be very 

 complex and we can do little more at the present time than to state 

 some general observations. He should consider himself to be not a 

 dissociated, independent factor, but rather a medium of communication 

 between the specialist and the farmer. He should realize that he is 

 to dispense facts and not opinions and should earh^ learn to practice 

 the delicate art of sajdng, "I don't know" when confronted by ques- 

 tions that go beyond his knowledge or experience. He needs to be 

 reinforced by the assurance that questions referred to the college will 

 be answered promptly. 



For his part the specialist should, through deliberate plans, make a 

 renewed effort to be helpful to the farmer through the agent. This 

 point is discussed more at length below. It is apparent that close 

 relationships and a complete understanding should grow up, paving 

 the wa}' for the quick settlement of questions that must arise. 



Numerous questions are arising. Following are some examples. 

 Should agents train their farmers to make requests for information of 

 the home institution through them? To what extent shall agents first 

 get the approval of the home departments before starting special cam- 

 paigns? Shall copies of the agents' periodic reports be referred to the 

 departments? It is believed that all such questions as these may be 

 satisfactorily worked out by an observance of the general principles 

 outlined above. 



In the past in many states a single entomologist has alone, or with 

 little assistance, carried all four branches of the state's entomological 

 service, namely, investigation, teaching, extension and law enforce- 

 ment. That day is passing. The agricultural colleges generally 

 retain one man as head of all entomological work in the institution and 

 he, yielding to the dictates of efficiency, is finding it necessary to 

 employ special investigators and special teachers. 



It seems desirable, first, to recognize as tenable the primary divisions 

 of the work suggested above, not that we are called upon to at once, 

 or perhaps ever, draw hard and fast lines of separation, but because as 

 development occurs and new men are added, specially qualified assist- 

 ants may be secured and all of the details of organization may be 

 planned to harmonize. 



It is believed that at the outset we should recognize the extension 

 work as a distinct and important branch of the state's work in entomol- 

 ogy rather than to attempt to accommodate the new duties among our 

 miscellaneous activities. Each state will need one man or more whose 

 duty it is to serve the needs of extension work and as entomologists 

 generally now recognize teaching, research and law enforcing as natural 

 branches, they will probably some day recognize extension work. It 



