Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1906-05-19
CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS.


Necessity for More Thorough Farm
Education. Is In Effect Country
High School.
The consolidated school question Is
a feature Of the country school edrca-
ton problem which Is rapidly coming
20 the fore. especially IN the northwest.
and IL promises much for better farm
education. The proposition is that six
! or seven or ten OF the crossroads
schools in any rural district shall be
combined into one larger school and
were IL not for the question OF trans
portation OF the scholars TO and from
/ the central school. IL would undOubted-
7 ~ meet with universal favor. From
an educational point Of view the ad
vantages Of the consolidated school
I plan are very great Assistant Sec
I rotary OF Agriculture Hays Is an en-
thusiastic advocate Of the plan and
states that where the plan has been
put into operation the beneficial re
suits have been manifold. The Ques-
ton has been agitated 20 a consider
able extent in his own State OF MINI
esota. due largely 20 his own efforts
( Professor Hays is thoroughly alive 70
the fact that n better scheme OF edu-
cation is needed for the farm boy II
he is 70 keep his foremost position
among the worlds agriculturists.
FOR BETTER FARM EDUCATION.
The time. Professor Hays says. has
gone BY when an ordinary" school
/ education will serve for the farm boy
I The three RS are not sufficient 70
I enable him 20 succeed in life. He must
have special education for farming just
as the young man or woman who is 20
enter professional life has special in
structiOn along the lines he expects 20
follow. And SO the consolidated
/ school comes in. with its better educa-
tional facilities
Canada has taken an advanced stand
on this question and is con sOlidating
her country schools. In word the
f farmers children are being given the
advantages OF a high school education
AS President Creelman. OF the On
tario Agricultural College has pointed
out. the system undoubtedly is, from
a standpoint Of dollars and cents. more
expensive. for the first few years al
least: but the rural ratepayer has Il %
decide for himself whether he would
F rather pay Eve dollars more per year
and secure for his boy or girl such
+ increased benefits as the consolidated
Z school can give or leave them in the
hands OF an inexperienced girl teacher
who perhaps does her best In a little
+ one-roomed school without facilities
+ - demonstration Of any kind
PRACTICAL FARM SCIENCE.
F One Of the most important features
+ OF these schools Is the school garden.
T where practical farm science is taught
T in practical way. Such gardens are
I soiidated schools. but are now being
+ kept IN connection with number Of
/ the more progressive district schools
T Ia various parts % the country. They
arc usually from two 20 three acres IN
area. divided into experimental and
individual plots for each o. the pupils.
f ranging Ia size from six feet square
20 SIX by ten or even twenty.
The general plan 81 laying out each
+ garden involves Cd belt Of native
/ trees and shrubs surrounding the
+ grounds. 90 a half-acre playfield Tor
i the boys. 80 q lawn boriered with
T shade trees Tor the girls, 90 q shaded
walk each for BOYS and girls. about a
hundred yards long. 80 an attractive
approach % the school consisting
chiefly o. piece Of open lawn. with
shrubs and flowers on either side. f6l
a suitable reservation for individuals
and class plo-s. CD an orchard plot
~ border. tSl a forest plot In which
The chief native trees are grown from
rhe seed
PLANTS GROWN By PUPILS
The ordinary range Of vegetables
and a selection % towering plants are
( grown 10 these gardens. the pupils
I themselves furnishing the necessary
work. IT. the large schools TWO hours
each week are found sufficient for
the garden work and one hour 10
the smaller. 81 both cases under the
supervision 81 the teacher OF a special
instructor. The school garden serves
double purpose. since IL not only
provides the most practical form q
nature study but acts as a valuable IN
I centive in the general school work. i
Is 10 uncommon sight during the sum
mer season 70 see a public school II
session out OF doors. not with SLATE
and pencil but with hoe and shovel
. The pupils thoroughly enjoy IL. Thel
. are allowed the proceeds Of their plot
as their own property and in add
ton may take home the plants LEI
I over from thinning out The cias
, plots are reserved IS a source OF rev
I euue for the school and as a supply
o. IA some cases. for the school lunches
Former Iron Master Andrew Car
merle has fnfnrgad The idea OF uhnuefi