Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-09-06
BOYS ANp GIRLS, CLUBS.

One of the most encouraging and In.
teresting methods which have recent
ly been employed to aid In the good
work of spreading agricultural educa-
ton has been through the organization
Of boys and girls agricultural clubs in
ally trace their beginning to competi.
tive contests of one kind or another In
which special awards have been Of
fered. The work has spread and be-
come more comprehensive until there
are today clubs for corn growing, cot
ton growing, potato and fruit growing,
poultry raising, live stock study, bird
study, domestic science and art study
and high school improvement The
work of these clubs seems to have first
been given state wide aid and recogni-
ton in New York in 1898 through the
work of the College Of Agriculture of
Cornell university in the publication of
its nature study bulletins. Since that
time the work has taken a great varie-
ty of forms and has been developed in
number of other states. In a number
of instances the same work has been
inaugurated through the farsightedness
and enterprise Of some city or county
superintendent In the state of Ne
braska, where the work has been very
thoroughly organized, IL has been car
ried on under the leadership of the
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton In cooperation with the State Ag-
ricultural college. Practically every
county in the state is now included In
the plans. The boys grow their show
corn and vegetables under directions
sent out from headquarters, while the
girls practice baking in accordance
with recipes sent from the domestic
science department Of the state univer
sity.
Early In the fall a local contest Is
held In each school. the three prize
winning exhibits and the three best
essays being taken to the township
show. then to a county exhibit and
finally to the state corn growing and
corn cooking contest at Lincoln. Dur
Ing this session a grand corn banquet
Is held. attended by from 1000 to
5000 OF the brightest boys and girls
from all over the state. In New York
similar plan Is followed. the best ex-
libits from the local and country clubs
icing taken to the state exhibit held
t the state college Of agriculture dur. |
ng Farmers week. In Ohio. Illinois, |
owa, Texas, Georgia and a few 9th /
states similar work has been adopt /
d, III on q somewhat smaller scale. |,
u number Of members the boys and L
iris clubs of New York lead with I
5000; Nebraska has 25O0O; Missls. [
ppi, 6,000; Indiana. Ohio and North
'akota, each 5000 members. The A'
-ork of these clubs has vast possi- =, Il
ilities for expansion and usefulness,
nd should be given generous support q.
= local. state and federal agricultural -
nd educational agencies. The work -, -,
the clubs so far has not only meant ,','
ore cotton. corn. potatoes. and small m,
ain per acre, better bread and pas aa
Y. but It has aroused an interest ir ~.
vic and social improvement and bet ON
r home conditions. most OF all en- y
ching and making useful and help. sh
! the lives Of all those who have had NO.
hand in 1t. Farmers bulletin No. No,
5, recently issued. takesup the origin. T
~
ope anu present work OF the eiuos Co,
owe referred to and should be in the n
nds Of every public school teacher as
d school official In the land. son