Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1912 — SHORT COURSES IN AGRICULTURE FOR INDIANA FARMERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SHORT COURSES IN AGRICULTURE FOR INDIANA FARMERS

By G. M. FRIER.

, Ailotant, mraue umversiiy Agricultural r-xiension uepininciu

Pnrdue UnivereityAgricullund Extensiea

Never before in the history of agricultural education in Indiana have there been placed at the doors of our fanners so many opportunities to become trained for the successful carrying on of their business as at the present time. The people, realizing that they had farm problems to be solved and that they were not in a position to attack these scientifically, vigorously and definitely clamored for assistance. Schools' of agriculture and experiment stations were almost at once established and maintained with the people’s money appropriation by their representatives In national and state legislative bodies. As a result of years of study and investigation carried on at these institutions by bodies of trained and expert men a great mass of valuable Information on crops, soils, herd improvement, etc., has been accumulated. Various problems bearing on rural betterment loomed up, were wrestled with, and more or less completer ly solved. We have as yet, however, merely touched the fringe of the great questions of scientific farming and rural betterment. Appropriations made from time to time bV the Indiana legislature have made it possible to present to the people of the state some of the results of experimental work carried on at Purdue university, the headquarters of the agricultural Industry in Indiana. To accomplish the dissemination of the findings and teachings of the agricultural division of the university, the agricultural extension department employs various agencies. Among these agencies probably none is more important and effective than the conducting of farmers’ short courses at various points in the state. Already this season several very successful courses have been held. Some

twenty In all will have been held In Indiana by tbe middle of March. It is evident that the greatest interest in this work is manifested and best results obtained when these extension -schools for farmers are held in the smaller towns and villages as Is being done this season. The instructional staff at these schools consists of seven people from the faculty of Purdue university. All work under the direction of Purdue university agricultural extension department. All are experts in their respective. lines. Instruction is given in field crops, livestock, soil improvement, dairying, horticulture, poultry and domestic science. For use in class work a carload of equipment, Including valuable and typical specimens of horses, beef and daily cattle, sheep and swine, is carried, together with spraying and pruning implements, and utensils for the farm dairy, the poultry plant, and for domestic science demonstrations. For illustrating the regular lectures, charts, bromides and a fine stereopticon lantern are used. Upwards of 6,000 fanners have been reached directly thus far this season by means of short courses. Eight thousand to 10,000 more will be reached t directly before spring, or a total of'over 15,000 in all. - The indirect results of these short courses cannot be represented by figures. One such course should be held in every county. Even now the demand for short courses is far greater than the funds at the disposal of the extension department can care of and at tbe saiqe time give due attention to other important lines of work. Applications for short courses next year should be made early. Address all communications jn this connection to Agricultural Extension Department, Purdue University,

Farmers Judging Horses at a Short Course.