Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-07-30
ROBERTSON VISITS WlLLMAR.
Profitable Addresses at Opera House
and to Teachers at Summer
School

Profitable Addresses at Opera House
and to Teachers at Summer
School.
Prof. VIM. Robertson, of the State
School of Agriculture at St. Anthony
Park, closed q most profitable visit
last Monday to the teachers in attend
ance at the summer school in this
city. On Friday evening he addressed
fair-sized audience at the opera
house, composed mostly of teachers
and residents of the city. The topic
being along the line of agricultural
education, it was to be reg, cited that
more farmers could not avail them
selves of the opportunity to hear him
and enjoy the treat in the way of
stereopticon views of the school.
Those who were present have gained
q much wider knowledge of the doings
at that agricultural institution Of
learning.
On Saturday and Monday Prof.
Robertson was allowed two recitation
periods at the High School to speak
to the teachers and suggest what in
the line of agriculture might very
profitably be introduced into the school
room. He gave several exercises from
work given out by the State School
of Agriculture for the teachers use.
These covered fruit growing, etc and
also sewing. He believed that boys
as we'll as girls ought to know how to
teachers learned and which few
people know is that the cottonwood
tree may be the most desirable shade
tree without any obnoxious cotton
provided only male trees are planted.
Mr.. Robertson was entertaining as
we'll as instructive and the teachers
feel pro6ted by this visit. He also
took the opportunity to say good
word for the summer school in Will
mar, of which he spoke in the highest
terms. He bestowed we'll deserved
compliment upon Supt. Fink, as we'll
as the instructors in charge.
The visits of Prof. VIM. Robertson
to our summer schools have been
frought with much good to the schools
of the country and to the interests of
agriculture in general. The state de-
partment of education sends him to
number of the summer schools to
arouse interest in practical agricul-
ture and to give the teachers such
practical suggestions AS will enable
them to instruct their pupils in some
of the elements of this noble science.
1t is an omen of good to our schools
when our leading educators give, as
they are now DOING so much atten-
tion to the advancement of rural
school matters. If now the farmers
themselves shall take proportionate
interest in the things that so vitality
concern them and their children, there
is no reason why the country schools
shall not be as attractive and efficient
as those of the city. There is 10 rea-
son why the representatives from our
rural communities cannot get any
favors they may ask for from Our
legislature. Only let the patrons of
the country schools demand first class
instructors, adequate equipment in the
way of a library, apparatus and en-
riched courses of study, and all these
advantages will be forthcoming.
Prof. Robertson is spending a few
days in each place visited. His first
evening is devoted to popular lec-
ture on "Agriculture in the Rural
Schools" He aims here to show how
large part of ones useful knowledg ge
comes from sources outside of text
books, and to demonstrate how many
of the practical and essential incidents
of farm life give occasion for close
observation and mental development,
and furthermore that intense interest
can be aroused on the part of country
school pupils in these every day mat
ters to which they set their mind and
hand. Prof. Robertson's present aim
is to arouse interest among the teach
ers and to give them such specific IL
Illustrative lessons as will enable them
to make beginning of the work in
their respective schools.
The public lecture IS supplemented
by lantern views, showing the vari-
Gus buildings at the State Agricul-
tural College at St. Anthony Park,
and shows the students of both sexes
at work in all the varied occupations
of the institution. He makes his audi
ence feel a pride in the work done in
this the only high school of the state
devoted strictly to the interests Of
farmers. In showing to the teachers
of the rural schools and the farmers
who are fortur; ate enough to hear him
what this school is doing, he arouses
q general interest in it's support and a
purpose of the young man and woman
on the farm to early secure the bene.
fits of the college.
Following the public lecture he takes
up with the teachers of the summer
schoo1' the details of such work and