The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-18
PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT
 IN SCHOOL MATTERS
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

inaugurated that would so aid in the so- lution of this great problem, which means so much to the young mon of the future, and is of such vital interest to Alabama, as for the agricultural schools of the state, under your direction, to be- gin the organization of boys clubs for the purpose of supplementing with prac- tical results the theoretical work of the school. With proper stimulants in the way of prizes, l believe that interest would be created that would work won ders.
 q further believe that our girls in the rural districts would be encouraged to beautify their homes if we could inter est the Alabama School Improvement association to the extent that it, through its county organizations, together with you, would perfect some organization among the teachers by which interest could be aroused in each school dis trict Through such concerted action the practical part of Horticulture would be greatly encouraged and thus result in making the homes of the country as at tractive as those of the city,
 As Seen by Atkinson.
 MT Atkinson said:
 'It seems to me there is no greater factor in the educational development of the boys and girls of the country and of the towns than are the agricultural schools of the state. The position the schools occupy in reference to agricultu- ral education and education in all the sci ences gives them very happy advanta ge over other schools in bringing the boys and girls in close acquaintance with na- ture and natures God. I think I have noticed that those boys who grow up to associate with nature in tine woods and on the farm under theewatch and care of appreciatiye fathers and mothers who are not too busy to spend few hours every day in the happiness that comes in leading the little ones to love the country, grow up to have sweeter dispo- sitions in boyhood, to have {. keener ap- preciation of the rights and privileges of manhood, and when educated make more patriotic citizens. Their surroundings in childhood are free from the unholy influ- ences that come from had association, and as {, result, when grown possess we'll developed, strong characters as well as strong bodies.
 "The agricultural schools can reach SO near the home influence and environment in their teaching of natures laws that there need be no broken chain of in slruction and training. but rather con tinuous growing and strengthening as it gees upward in their wholesome influence.
 "When first read the story of Wash ington and other great statesmen I won dered why he was so fa- ahead of other men of equal opportunities; but when I visited old Virginia a Id beheld the beauty of her fields, the srcndsur of her rivers and streams, and the majesty of her ocean as it dashed upon the white sands of the pebbled beach, I said: T can row understand, when stand in tho presence of his tomb, why he wrote his name so high on the scroll of fame
 '"The agricultural schools are wonder fully blessed in the fact that they are educating the boys and girls from the country. who in turn will go hack and educate those who attend the rural schools and give to ther equal advan- tages with the children of tie cities. To teach properly is to train the mind to think the heart~to reel and the body to act How can this better be done than by the teaching of agriculture in the ru- ral schools. theoretically and practically?
 Let us remember that the southern peo- pie are the best people in the world and the times demand that white people do things Then, with the rural schools working in harmony with the agricultural schools we shall produce men who need not to be ashamed, men who sympathize with their fellow men, men who are ready to do real service in the world, men who think on high planes and to a finish"