Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-15

Mabel Howard, third prize, silk UNI
brella.
Miss Mamie Ashdown was given 81
in cash.
Talk ON elementary Education
The first address of the afternoon
was by Principal Smith, of the Port
Byron schools on Elementary Educa-
ton" Mr.. Smith described elementary
education as that including a high
school course and talked at some
length TO show the need that farmers
have for an elementary education. He
defined education as a fitting to meet
new conditions as they arise. He
showed that the majority of profession
al men and women and most of those
holding positions as employees meet with
comparatively few new conditions in
their daily work. On the other hand.
the farmer is most of all in need of
thorough education. Conditions sur
rounding the daily life of the tiller of
the soil have changed wonderfully in
the last few years and he has changed
from a recluse to one actively engaged
in the worlds affairs. and ready TO step
out from his pillow TO nearly any sta
ton of honor, and responsibility in the
nation. Therefore the farmers need
of an education is growing daily more
imperative.
should Consolidate Schools
AS the most important reform in the
educational system in the country, the
speaker placed the consolidation of the
schools so that the advantages of
town and city children would be ex-
tended TO the children in the country
He read from reports showing that a
score of states in all parts of the ma
lion have taken up consolidation ana
have found il a success. In no case
where il was once tried had there been
a going back to the old order of things.
Consolidation is being tried in but one
instance in the whole state of Illinois
and that is in Winnebago county,
where the plan was begun last year
and it's results are already loudly prais-
ed by the patrons. IL has been amply
shown that for less money under the
new plan. schools can be run with the
same teachers and covering the same
field as now: that for the same money
better facilities can be furnished, and
sor a very little more the pupils can
De given the advantages of a high
school course without leaving home.
While he was not prepared TO state
whether the conditions in this country
favored concentration Mr.. Smith gave
facts that indicated that a great sue
cess would be inevitable should the
new plan be tried at Port Byron, where
of five miles and where $500 tuition is
paid in TO the town school treasury,
FOR the teaching of young people from
the surrounding country. These pupils
n the aggregate drive As miles day
o and from town. or almost as far as
t would be necessary for hacks to trav-
Il TO gather up all the children i'll
ive-mile radius and take them to and
from school located in Port Byron.
On Corn Culture.
Better Corn Culture" was the topic
81 w s. McCuiloch. of Taylor Ridge.
who followed. Mr.. McCulloch told of
he methods he has used in the success
full raising of corn and said they would
produce so bushels of corn on good
and. the kind We have in this county.
rhe average raised now, he said. is
jut about sc bushels per acre. Part of
his is the fault of careless cultivation
or insufficient preparation OF the soil.
We must breed and feed for corn the
same as for animals, if we wish to
produce big yields OF uniform type. the
speaker said. He then described the
rotation of crops he follows, one year
in small grain, one year in hay ana
| two years in corn. In seeding to oats
Mr.. McCulloch sows with drill to get
an even and not too thick stand. put
ting in timothy and clover with the
same discing. After the crop is har-
vested, NOW late in the summer and
pasture lightly so as 10 avoid close
cropping or trampling of the ground.
| The next year cut one or two crops OF
hay. pasture heavily, and in the spring
break up for corn. Never pillow over
/ four inches. Disc thoroughly, harrow
/ vice. plant, and harrow again before
| the corn is up. After ii has been up
| eight days begin cultivation. Three
/ civilizations will suffice. unless there
IS heavy rain to pack the ground just
before the corn is too high TO piow. The
planting should not be earlier than
May 20 10 keep out of the way of cut
worms as far as possible. Three grains
a hill of good seed corn smoked be-
fore planting TO make 1t distasteful TO
the mice and squirrels ought to give
three stalks TO the hill and these bear
ing ears of average size will give a
yield of nearly so bushels per acre.
| Superintendent Ferguson Heard.
| S. j. Ferguson. county superintend-
mt of schools. was the next speaker
His remarks were on Educational In
iuences." The influence paramount in