The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-06-25

Jolt over roots ana Sluups. LIE coilu
also utilize rainy days, when work
on the farm is suspended. for making
such trips. without fear that sunset
would find him contending with the
mud of some hillside. The time thus
saved-to say nothing Of the INJURY to
his vehicleS-would mean money to
the farmer. Good roads also enhance
the value Of property far beyond the
cost Of building and keeping them
in repair by providing desirable loca-
tions for the erection Of schools,
churches. homes, etc.
Another needed Improvement that
may be mentioned here is in regard
to the churches. The square, one
story, one-room, barn-like structure.
with bare floors and uncomfortable
Seats-the typical country church.
should be replaced by buildings
with an eye to the beautiful. The
monthly church service is an I'M
portant event in the lives Of country
peoplef and the impressions that they
receive them along all lines are con-
trolling ones. If. as has been said,
"beauty is an essential quality Of
right living,'' then the aesthetic
natures Of country people should
have chance to realize themselves
in every way possible, especially in
connection with the institution which
gives to them their strongest ideas
and firmest beliefs.
Although the situation and charac-
ter Of country schools should be de-
termined largely by the conditions
and requirements of the various local
tiles, vet I wish to mention
few improvements which may apply
to them as a whole Wherever pos
sible, country people should be GEN.
tralized. The combining Of several
small. isolated country schools into
one large, central school. produces, in
almost every instance, the best re-
suits. In both Maine and Massa-
chusettS this plan has been carried to
the extent of one school to the dis
trict. School coaches, each accom-
modating about twenty-five children,
and built to meet all conditions of the
weather. carry the children to and
from school. In one Of these schools
five teachers are employed, where
formerly nine were required in the
district. As a consequence taxes are
reduced, the school term is lengthen-
ed and the children receive more and
better education.
The majority Of country girls and
boys do not 60 to college; therefore,
the industrial feature should be add
ed to the public school course. It is
valuable part of any woman's edu-
cation to know how to match colors
and how to cut, fit and make clothes
properly. 1t is especially valuable
to the farmers daughter, since she
must, in the most cases.. do these
things for herself. She will, moreover,
be concerned with the question OF
clothes all her life, and the taste and
skill acquired from study of sewing
would be a perpetual source Of pleas
ure and profit.
Il is true that the farmer feeds
the world. but his family is too often
underfed because Of ignorance OF
foodstuffs and the proyer mode Of pre-
pairing them. The province Of the
farmers daughter will alwys include
the kitchen. In its last analysis, the
effect that her work there may have
upon the world can hardly be estl-
mated. and she should have sclen-
tiie knowledge Of cooking to aid her.
More often than otherwise, the
farmers son also becomes a farmer,
therefore, he needs to study agr1cul-
ture as a preparation for the pro-
fession. One progressive public school
of our own State has adopted this
plan: A farm is tended each year
in connection with the school, the
boys doing the work. The farm pro-
vides a study in business arithmetic;
in soil formation, it's care and I'M
provement; in seed selection. seed
termination, and plant culture;
study Of fertilizers, Of good blowing;
the value of air and moisture and sum
LIGHT. in short. study in the essen
tials of good farming: and the effect
that this is having towards improving
the farms Of the community. and
consequently the condition of the
farmers and their families, is notice.
able in marked degree.
ILN.