Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-12-07

Gleason. of Moline. read paper on
Domestic Science
Last Evenings Session.
Last evenings session opened with
an instrumental duet by Misses Lottie
Elliott and Clara Carpenter. Follow
| ing was Il recitation. Uncle John
Writes TO His City Cousin" by Miss
Bessie Elliott. which, like the musical
number. was well received
County Superintendent 5. j. Fergu-
son. in beginning his address. spoke OF
the offer by the state superintendent
OF schools to- present 4 diploma to the
schools that are provided with clock.
organ. or other musical instrument. 40
books. a set of good maps. globe.
bookcase. pictures. clean walls and
well-shaded yard free from rubbish.
Greatly did he regret. he was unable
To recommend such a school in Rock
Island county for the state superin-
tendent's diploma.
Turning 10 the relative value of the
various branches taught in the schools.
Mr. Ferguson urged that special atten-
ton be paid TO cultivating the ability
10 express thoughts both through Ian
guage and by writing. The common
rudiments OF an education he held sec
ondary.
school and Home.
4 school said Mr. Ferguson. should
not have an opposite effect upon the
pupil TO that OF the home. Such, how
ever. he asserted was too often the
case. The reason is that many school
hon a To IN fh.a
sense of beauty: nothing TO attract.
There should be pictures on the walls.
One director in this county recently
forbade a teachers hanging pictures
in the school. He said If the pupils
needed pictures to- look ut they would
find them in their books. The effect
for good that a good picture may have
was illustrated.
The subject of agriculture in coun-
try schools was brought up by the su-
perintendent IS means of explaining
the part he took in recommending to
the directors of the county a system of
books ami apparatus that has been Sc
cured since by many directors in the
county. Mr.. Ferguson argued TO show
that a system of cultivating the sense
of observation ia pupils. such as the
work he recommended comprehends.
is the only way in which agriculture
can be taught in practical way in
the schools. AS sample OF the appar-
emily unimportant things that the
young should be taught TO observe, Mr.
Ferguson cited the case of the humble
bee which is necessary To- the growth
Of clover seed. as every wideawake
farmer now knows. but which was I'M
I'll recently regarded as an enemy TO
mankind to be killed on sight.
Not Responsible for Agents
The system in question was simple
and easily applied IN an effective man
ner by any teacher Of average intelli-
gence. For tie L-etiOds employed by
any agent = soliciting sales Mr. Fer
guson stated lie was not responsible
He had made the recommendation and
he stood BY IL. He was as liable as
anyone to make mistakes. but he be-
i!eved he was right in this case and
he had nothing 10 conceal.
\ number by a young ladies' chorus
was given and encored. Then there
was a vocal duet by Mrs. A. J. Miller
and Miss Sara Richardson. which PROV
ell treat. and an encore again fol-
lowed.
Prof. f. s. Kindley was next pre-
scented and gave a short talk on the
value of an education and the advisa-
bility OF keeping children on the farm.
\ vocal SOLO by Mrs. Miller was fol
lowed by an instrumental solo by Miss
Anna Harris. which closed the evening
program
Prof. Cranes Paper.
Yesterday mornings paper by Prof
Fred b. Crane Of the state :uivc-5itv
at Urbana on Farm Mechanics" ably
presented one of the many depart
ments in which u farmer should pos
sess a degree OF knowledge in order
to make the best OF his opportunities.
The professor pointed out that
knowledge OF machinery is essential
TO success. The proper care of ma
chinery which receives so little az
tention by many. was shown to be the
means Of greatly prolonging its period
OF usefulness and thereby effect Il
saving in this important item of ex-
pense. Greatest interest was taken
in charts that the speaker exhibited
showing parts of binders and other
complicated farm machines and show
ing the use OF each and the manner OF
obtaining the proper adjustment.
Soil Fertility
Soil Fertility was the topic of
Prof. II. Petit OF the University of
Illinois in the afternoon. The manner
in which the money appropriated by
the state for the purpose is being ex-
pended IN examination of the
soil in the various localities
was discussed. This work was
begun three years ago and is still in
progress. Samples OF earth TO depth
OF 40 inches is analysed and the crops
which il is fitted TO grow are a-cer-
tanned. Prof. Petit showed a map OF
the state indicating what has been &C
complished in this direction. Atten-