The age-herald., 1898-05-13
GERMANY,S PLAN
 OF EDUCATION
Bv BERTHA IT. eELpERs.

the development and occupation of a peo- pie. This development is again modified by education; to what extent depends entirely upon the characteristics of nation and | upon the system of public education. Ger
 many, as every one knows. is most densely settled. One travelng in the fatherland is always struck with the close proximity of
 it's cities and villages. Every square inch of ground is, of necessity, utilized. The 1 felds especially in the southern part, appear like veritable gardens. They are highly cultivated and. as a rule, yield rich haryests.
 The stretch of woodland belonging to
 each village and city appears like a little park, not only serving the useful purpose of furnishing fire wood for the locality, but also as pleasure ground for villagers and city folk alike, where the May festf- vals. Pentacost frolics, Turner outings. etc., take place.
 The forest is dear to every German heart. Early the love for it is implanted in the child; and this love grows as the under standing grows. The magnificent oak tree. the national emblem of strength and faith fitness, is sacred to the child, and sacred are the winged singers that dwell within it's foliage and fill the air with sweet melody Equally beloved are the bushes, the sweet violets, the lilies of the valley, the primulas and anemonaes that flourish and bloom in their shade.
  This love of the forest and the protection it receives through the law, explains its contlnuel beauty and richness. Why do the fields of Germany yield better harvests than any others?A How does it happen that despite the comparative few acres possess ed by the peasant he is able to support
 himself and his family and lay something aside for rainy day? Surely the Ameri-
 can farmers fields far exceed those of the German peasant, the climate of the south especially is well adapted to agriculture;
 why, then, does he not keep abreast with his brother? It must be preparation for the work of farming and husbanding that raises the German peasant above his 1ei- low-farmers; a preparation that has it's foundation in the public schools of the country. The peasant is the very stay and strength of Germany. Take the peasant class away from her and she not only looses much of her charm and picturesque ness. but her power and wealth as well. Germany has long since recognized that her success depends mainly upon popular education-and she has given her people an excellent system of public schools Schools equally we'll supplied in the country dis trjcts as they are in the cities. These schools are entirely under state control. The state builds school houses, regulates all laws governing the schools, appoints teachers (traired at state seminaries), ana controls all examinations. The funds to maintain these schools are raised, as far as known to the writer, by a tax-class tax, Las it is ealled-which is levied proportion ately on each citizen. It is. not a special school tax, but more property tax. From tbe age of six to fourteen the peas- ants child as well as that of the richest citizen is by law compelled to attend schooi. The instruction is to a great extent given orally, few text books being used. This necessitates thorough preparation on the | part of the teacher for his work, and ex- | cludes persons from the profession, who, | for a lack of more profitable occupation, | decide ito hear lessons"
 Resides the regular studies that are fol- lowed in most schools, children in rural dis | tricts are instructed in branches specially suited to their conditions. For instance, you | wll scarcely find German child who does | not know of the practical manner in which l Benjamin Franklin taught his countrymen | that gypsum is an excellent fertilizer How l many American farmers children learn of | if at school? While the boys receive in- struction in husbanding, the little maid is | taught to knit, darn mend and sew, a reg | ular course being followed, going from the simple to the more difficult.
 When at the age of fourteen they leave | the school, these children possess good knowledge of ordinary branches of study. l Now follows few years course that each is compelled to attend dn order to further | develop and to strengthen that already ac- quired. Fortbildungschule (confirmed-de- veloping schooD consists of two sessions | each week-one on Wednesday and one on Saturday afternoon.
 In the meantime. these boys and girls | have been taken in charge by their elders l and have learned great deal of practical
 farming. The boys attend the cattle, go
 into the fields, keep yards, cellar and barn l in good condition. The rosy-cheeked, bux-
 om maid is taken charge of by the mother | and introduced to the mysteries of house.
 keeping. And how much there is to learn for her. She Is soon handy in the kitchen and cellar, garden and field. She rises early, in summer with the sun, in harvest times even before the sun rises, because l A,-- men folks do not wish to lose any time to I get to the fields. During the winter the
 entire household throws back the feather | beds somewhat later, and also retIres much | later than in summer time. Then while l the men put the place in order and arrange l for the next seasons work, the women knit l and spin and replenish their linen chests. "Guard well thy heart, for from 1t flow
 all the sources of life." The peasant Is the very heart of the German state, the power