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In contest work a necessary preliminary is a carefully prepared 
plan, giving full directions for carrying out the various opera- 
tions which the contest embraces, the method of judging, and the 
nature of the awards. 
The contest feature of the young people's institute should be 
graded so as to be as far as possible a complete and progressive 
course. When completed a certificate should be given stating the 
work performed by the contestant during the period in which he 
was a member of the institute. 
The course should begin with a simple exercise like the growing 
of some common crop and end with the more difficult, as a daily 
record for twelve months of the operations of a farm, with com- 
ments on these operations, and a set of books showing the loss or 
gain of the enterprise for the year. 
By the method of pursuing a systematic course for four or five 
years the practical work of the young people's institute would be 
preparatory to their undertaking the larger operations of a farm 
or home, and instead of the contest exercises being disconnected 
and incomplete, as now, they would be systematized into a course 
that would cover the principal operations of a farm and be of real 
service in the future life of the contestant. 
It has been found by experience that young people are greatly 
attracted and influenced by rewards, and that they value these 
rewards far above their worth in cash. Money for prizes can 
usually be secured without difficulty by applying to public-spirited 
citizens in the community for contributions, many of whom are 
glad of the opportunity to assist worthy young people in any effort 
that they may make to better their condition and become more 
useful citizens of the State. 
In a few States the farmers' institute and the college of agri- 
culture, by conducting what are called boys' encampments, have 
interested in agricultural subjects many boys who would not join 
the ordinary club contest. The camping-out idea appeals to them 
as a pleasant and enjoyable diversion, and the lectures, demonstra- 
tions, and judging contests which form a part of their daily life 
for the week or two during which the camp is held are pursued 
with pleasure as well as profit. Their interest is aroused by the 
scientific features of subjects which they have never before under- 
stood and which are here exhibited in their relation to the prac- 
tical. Many boys who otherwise would never have been reached 
are thus started in search of further useful information. These 
boys' encampments are, strictly speaking, young people's institutes. 
The members live and study together during the entire meeting ; 
prizes are awarded for winners in stock, grain, and similar judg- 
ing contests, and for proficiency in other agricultural subjects as 
determined by a final examination of the work pursued at the 
encampment. 
For a while at least institutes for boys and girls should be union 
meetings, with special sessions for each sex as occasion may re- 
