The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-22
PRIZES FOR
 COUNTRY BOYS County Organizations to
 Be Perfected. TO TEACH BOYS AGRICULTURE Should Be a Part of the High
 School Education. Commissioner Wilkinson Would Orga- nize a Club and Would Offer Inc ducements for scientinc Ed
 ucation and Work.
TO TEACH BOYS AGRICULTURE

That the subject of agriculture should form an important part of the boys scientific education while attending the nigh school. is the subject of letter which State Commissioner of Agricui- l. ture J. A, Wilkinson. Is addressing U Uto the Superintendents of Education of the counties of the State.
 The letter suggests tu,,,ra that the poys cIuS Ie and that the parents interest them- selves sufficiently in the project. even to the offering of prizes suf1clently large to attract hard work, Tor the best acre of corn and other produce.
 That the County organizations De perfected. and that conventions o1 aii the boys in the Gonnsy SetTeen tSet arrieu tural poblems should be discussed in debates and lectues.
 The letter of the Commissioner fol
 Montgomery Ala. Feb 20, 1909. ITO Superintendents of Education and
 Teachers of the Several Counties ol Ala bama:
 deeply concerned in the welfare of oui boys, and that their future usefulness to themselves. their families and tht State. will in a large measure hinge which will also encourage them to re: main on the farm, we, therefore. rec ommend for your consideration these
 "tirst-That you appeal to every teacher In the towns and rural districts to organize all their boys between the ages of 12 and 21 into agricultural clubs or societies.
 "Second-That they have their con- stitutions and bylaws, and elect un- der these their own officers; '"rhird-That immediately after they organize. each club or society appoin; a committee of their own. and also re- quest committee of the patrons or neighbors to assist them in collecting and securing contributions for prizes to be offered for the best e-half acre or more of corn or other produce. as they may prefer:
 "Fourth-That the teachers of each write speeches, essays or hold debates on agricultural subjects and that the community be united to these public occasions to be held at least once each month;
 "Fifth-That county organizations be perfected. and conventions of all the boys of the county between 12 and 2l years be called:
 low to be held under the direction Of the Commissioner of Agriculture, and will be called. after counties are orga- uized.
 These organizations would be of in calculable benefit to the boys in many ways. and should these clubs prove ef- fectual as they should an impetus to agriculture in Alabama would be in- splred and wrought out that would be most beneficial.
 We trust you may take a deep in- terest in these organizations and we assure you that the Polytechnic Insti- tute and the nine District Agricultural Schools. as well as the Superintendent of Education and myself will aid in every way possible. In case you wish constitutions and bylaws drafted for you write ne and I will forward these to you. Also encourage your boys to contend for the prizes offered by my department. for best acre of corn, oats. hay, potatoes, etc.
 T am most truly yours.
 y. A. Wilkinson. "Commissioner of Agriculture and h.
 dustries."