Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1884-04-24
A VISIT TO THE WALES RIGGS
FARM.


will now give our readers sketch OF
the farm and what is being done upon
it,
1t was originally founded i'm 1912 by
VIM. Wales Riggs, man whom many
of our readers will long remember as
one of our most honorable and respect.
ed citizens. BY life of industry and
economy the farm that now bears his
name was purchased and brought to a
high state of fertility. Dying at the
age of 60 years, Jan ., 1880, the farm
came into possession of his son, Chaun-
cey Wales Rigg', the originator of the
Boys Farm school," that of late
has attracted SO niuch attention and
frequent comment of the press.
The thought was first suggested to
Mr.. Riggs when, in quest of IA boy TO
adopt. he advertised i'm one of our
leading dailies The replies were so
numerous that for a time no answer
could be given to the masy applicants.
After years thought and investiga-
! don of the matter, the present plan
was adopted. IN the fields the bows
are Taught tlle culture OF flowers, veg
etabies and grains; studying each day
in the school room, the topic with
which they chanc; TO be engaged, For
instance, October LIST, all hands are
busily engaged in securing the potato
crop. In the school room, the subjec t
for their lesson will be Potatoes; their
cultivation, and proper care in select
Ing serd. After reading carefully spon
this subject, all books are closed, and
each boy is required TO write what he
remembers. The manuscripts are then
examined and corrections made. The
teacher selecting the misspelled words
from each boys work, and writing them
in II book for that purpose. These cor
rected words form the spelling lesson
for that ,lay. For writing lessons they
write the names OF vegetables and
flowers, upon the five and ten cent
packets, preparatory TO filling them
for market Each boy is taught sepa-
ratcly, and is allowed 10 progress as
fast as his ability will permit They
receive Instructions two hours per day,
six days in the week, during the entire
year. Everywhere order. system and
regularity seem to bc complete. All
tools taken out during the day are
charged TO the one using them. and he
is held responsible for their safe return
at night.
There seeals to be a 'place for ev-
erything, md eyerytllin. in its place. :"
One may Judge of the order and sys-
TEN when we say, on "A wall 81 feet by
IL, were hung the following: nine axes,
five shov-ls and four spades; nine gar
den rakes, II hoes, 13 corn cutters, IA
garden weeders in all II tools, and
each tool is lettered and number, :,
and its corresponding place on the wall
bears the same letter and number.
The boys seem happy and contented
and, a. we heard II lady friend remark
they are as fine looking lot as one
often meets" Profanity and the use
of liquor or tobacco in any form is
strictly prohibited.
On this farm the mental, moral and
physical natures of a boy are develop
ed by his every day tasks Boys are
taught to work, to depend upon them
selves, one of the most useful lessons
one can learn. Their work is light and
agreea ole; they study as they work
the only way to make of this life a
success. They are taught in a practi-
cal manner. Such is the training here
received that any boy who is under its
discipline for a few years cannot help
but form good and manly habits that
will go with him through all his after
life.
The boys spend their evenings and
leisure hours surrounded with good
and instructive books aud papers. AL
cheap and trashy literature is exclud
ed Sufficient time for wholesome
amusement is givc'., and everything
pertaining to their welfare and happi
ness is carefully looked after Ia fact
this school seems to be what the pro
prietor expresses desire to have it
"a bright, happy home. conge' ial tc
all who chance TO come within its in
fuence. A home where poor boys car
enjoy every comfort needed, and re
ceive the instructions so necessary tC
make of them prosperous, successful
citizens"
Reader, did It ever occur TO you thai
this school was vours-ours2 We fee
il pleasure to do all that lies within
our power TO make of it a permanent
success. Ii is in the interest of the
people, the widow, and the orphan. -
Can any enterprise be more deserving
These boys are earning their livelihood
: by the cultivation OF vegetable anC
, I H., m. oaa1s. AZ; "a, thont Vour suDnor