Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1905-02-22
Farmers Institute Papers.
Some Excellent Papers Subjects Of Interest Read
at the Recent Farmers Institute at 0ssian.

and girls are usually blessed with
sound minds and healthy bodies,
| therefore they have many advantages
which are not usually recognized by
educators who advocate and recog-
nize only the training of the intellect.
The elimination of the bible from the
school plainly shows that the lnstruc-
tors are not expected to develop the
moral side of the child's nature, and
education that is not founded on
morality, is as likely to prove bane
as blessing, to its possessor. We
believe the founders of our education
al system only meant it to he means
and not an end as many people would
have us believe. We have lately been
reminded by our chief executive, land
we need the gentle reminder) that we
have been paying too much attention
to comparatively unimportant sub
jects, and we have been told by other
teachers, that the homes OF nation
are it's stronghold, therefore whatever
tends to elevate or destroy the home
should command our earnest consider
alton. A child may be taught many
things at home, which will be more
useful to itself and to it's community,
than if he spent the same time at
school. The majority OF farmers
would like to have their daughters
study music, we know that this is
almost impossible if the child attends
school more than six months during
the year. Of course we occasionally
see a girl attend school, and attempt
to study music at the same time, but
ir is unjust to the child, for the
reason that few children are endowed
with sufficient strength to stand the
strain of mind and body that would
be necessary for reasonable amount
of proficiency in both courses. Besides
the most important course OF study,
for girls, is one which tends to mt
them for homekeepers this involves
practical knowledge of so many sub
jects, (none of which are taught in
school, that the thoughtful mother
begins to inquire why something use
full is not taught during school years.
In our opinion the public schools
would confer much greater blessing
if they taught more that is practical,
and less that is theoretical. Practical
knowledge is always in demand, and
is conducive to health, happiness and
prosperity. One reason why boys
should not spend too much time in
school studying other people, theories
is, that they should try to evolve some
theories of their own. chief among
these is, how he is going to get his
bread and butter when he becomes a
man. During the solving of this i'm
portant problem, the boy should be
furnished with good literature and
good associates, and if he develops any
aptitude for special vocation, he
should be educated in that special line
of business, unless his inclination be
toward dudeism, vagrancy or intemper-
ance. We know of no better way to
make farm life more attractive for
young people, than to advice them to
open their eyes wider to the beauties
and advantages with which they are
surrounded.
1t has been said that the way to a
mans heart is through his stomach.
The farmers table may be supplied
with the best victuals that the earth
affords. If he wishes for information
ON any special subject, all that he has
| to do is to send a courteous request to
| the secretary of some experiment
station for bulletin on the subject
Uncle Sam will foot the bill.
| A proverb from the ancient classics
says "Speak to the earth and it shall
teach thee" Is not the farmer speak
ing to the earth when he plants his
seed grain? and is not the difference
in the yield per acre plain evidence OF
the manner in which the earth was
spoken to. Nor is bountiful supply
of fresh fruit and grain the only bless
| ing which the student of nature en-
joys, for, while he is laboring to Sc
cure these material things. 1.-THE
earth is clothed in living green" and
after it has yielded up its autumnal
treasures and needs season of repose
he sees it wrapped in beautiful
mantle of beautiful snow.
MRS. A. WEITGENANT D'COU.