The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-14

Dr.. Dickerman and Supt f. p Moses,
of the Raleigh city schools, We're recog-
nized and welcomed.
Dr. Winston, in inviting the super
intendents to visit the industrial and
agricultural work at the A. and NJ. Col
lege, said that it was proposed to in
troduce this work into the public
schools, the agricultural in the rural
schools, and the mechanical in the city
schools.
Supt. Joyner then added a few words
of deep earnestness, to the effect that
it was one of the great desires Of his
administration that the great mysteries
of Gods creation should be studied in
the right way in the public schools
Profs. Burkel5 and Stevens, CT the
A. and NJ. College, were then introduced
to discuss Agriculture in the Rural
Schools.
Prof. Burkett spoke on Simple Meth
DDS of Teaching Agriculture. IN Legip-
nine his remarks he laid stress on the
fact of the great number of boys in
North Carolina who we're destined to
follow farming as a gairful occupation,
and yet were taught nothing of these
things in the public schools. He said
that it was modern marvel that any
boy should take to farming after the
training he had received in school.
1t was shown that agriculture can be
taught in the rural public schools as
we'll as in the A. and NJ. College. Prof.
Burkett spoke on seed selection. soils,
and live stock. He used corn to illus
trate seed selection. Several types of
ears vert noted and contrasted. Corn is
governed by heredity like folks and ami
mails The ear with small cob in pro-
portion to grains will produce ears like
itself. The two ear stalk will produce
two ears, the one ear stalk onlv one,
ETC. A careful selection of seed corn,
annually, will increase the yield and inn
prove the quality. The same is true of
all ether crops. In discussing soils he
showed by simple experiments how
water rises in the soil. how water passes
through the soil, the effect of mulching,
and the principles of drainage. His APP
paratus consisted OF lamp Chimneys,
cheap wooden boxes, spools of thread,
old fruit cans, and the like simple cheap
things. Types of animals were discussed
and described by simple drawings; for
dairy and for beef; for draft and for
speed.
Prof Stevens discussed Mature Study
in Relation to Agriculture" Nature
study is the proper foundation for agri-
culture, and leads to agriculture. Let
Il pupil raise an apple tree from seed,
graft it when it is one year old. replant
it and prune it properly each year; Gull
tivate it and keep it clear of insects,
thus learning for himself and instructing
his elders and neighbors. The vitality
and the purity of seeds. the prevention
or determination of weeds the origina-
ton of new varieties by plant breeding,
the prevention or control of plant dis
cases. were all clearly set forth as pos
sible subjects of instruction in rural
hubble schools. Rot and other prevent
able diseases were described.
In order to teach rural teachers in
these subjects the a. and NJ. College
will conduct a Summer School of Agri
culture and Nature Study, for two
week, next July or August, in the col
lege buildings. Tuition will be free and
board and lodging furnished at cost. The
lessons given, the experiments shown,
the subjects taught in this summer
school will be precisely what the teacher
will repeat in his rural school with the
farm boys and girls under his instruc
ton This is the beginning Of great
movement to make cur public school in
struction more practical, to connect it
more closely with the daily life and
necessities of the farm.
NIGHT SESSION.
The first subject discussed last night
was Teachers Institutes and Summer
Schools for Teachers"
Supt Joyner said ne thought that the
present method of holding teachers in
stitutes for one week had about fulfilled
it's mission. 1t was splendid thing,
holding up higher ideals before the
teachers but something more was need
cd The time had come for more and
longer institutes.
He favored a summer school for the
teachers, lasting at least one month. The
purpose should be first to give the
teachers better instruction in the very
subjects they teach second, object les
sons in teaching the subjects actually
taught. that is, the methods of present
ing the subjects taught as well as in
creased knowledge of the subjects them
selves.
There should be some certain purpose
and definite direction in these summer
courses. Instead of thrashing over the
same old subject year after year in the
same old county, let the work each year
follow up and continue the work of the
preceding year.
Supt NJ A. McLead, Of Moore, said
he agreed entirely with the State Super
intendent. He declared the first essen
tial was that the teacher must know
system before he can impart it, The
majority fthe rural teachers We're, so
10 speak, iliterate. Hence he was
in favor Of a month or six weeks
spent in giving instruction in the text
books, at least in the beginning The
first institute he did not consider worth
2I5 cents.
Dr. Long, of Alamance, did not alto
gether agree with this. He thought the
of the present institute de-
pended upon the efficiency of the one
VINO conducted it. He thought it would
be better 70 continue the present
method, well managed, for time at
least.
ATocI.Inp I1I1,,U y