The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1910-08-12
BOYS AND 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
many states of the Union. These usu-
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
w6Ii. of these clubs seems to have first
been given state wide aid and recogni-
tion 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 great varie
ty Of forms and has been developed in
a 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
fhprouub1v hoc hnon
ried on under the leadership of the
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton in cooperation with the State Ag-
rieultural 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 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 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-
hibits from the local and country clubs
being taken to the state exhibit held
at the state college of agriculture dur
ing Farmers week. In Ohio, Illinois,
Iowa, Texas. Georgia and few 9TH
ed, if on Il somewhat smaller scale
In number of members the boys and
girls clubs of New York lead with
$4,000; Nebraska has 25.O00; Missis-
sippi, 60O0: Indiana, Ohio and North
Dakota, each 5000 members The
work of these clubs has vast posi-
bilities for expansion and usefulness.
and should be given generous support
by local, state and federal agricultural
and educational agencies The work
Of the clubs so far has not only meant
more cotton. corn potatoes, and small
grain per acre, better bread and pas
try, but it has aroused an interest in
civic and social Improvement and bet
ter home conditions. most of all en-
riching and making useful and help
full the lives of all those who have had
hand in it. Farmers bulletin No.
1856, recently issued, takesup the origin.
scope and present work of the clubs
above referred to and should be in the
hands Of every public school teacher
and school official in the land.