Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-09-30
RURAL SCHOOL WORK
IS GIVEN BIC BOOST
BY HON. HOKE SMITH
Nominee for Governor Sounds
Call for Systematic Work
in Rural Education in
Georgia

Organization of the rural school work
of Georgia is shortly to become one of
the greatest factors in the states de-
velopment, according to Hoke Smith,
nominee for governor.
In an interview given out Tuesday
morning, Mr.. Smith sounds the call for
commencement of the systematic work.
The time is now ripe for 1t, he believes.
Last Saturday Mr.. Smith visited his
farm in DeKalb county, and during the
afternoon went to Decatur, where he
conferred with several of the leading
men of the county in farming and edu-
cational affairs. The deliberations of
that conference will have their result in
the organization of DeKalb county's ru-
raj school work along model lines. The
active work to this end will begin next
Tuesday, when a meeting will be held
at the court house to which the county
board of education, State School Com
missioner NJ. L. Britain, State Rural
School Supervisor Powell and others in
terested have been invited.
WILL HAVE MODEL COUNTY.
Mr.. Smith says that the plans are to
organize the rural school work in De-
Kalb county along lines which will en-
body the best features so far developed
in that work, not only in the respective
counties of Georgia, but in other states.
All these successful features will be COM
bined, and as much as possible DeKalb
county's rural school organization will
be made a mode, from which other coun-
ties of the state can get helpful hints.
It is planned, said Mr.. Smith, to be-
gin now the preparations for big prize
events next fall. The boys of the schools
will be encouraged to lay off and prepare
their ground at home for growing corn
and cotton and other farm products, to
enter the competitions. The girls will
have their own contests in the various
branches of domestic science. In every
way the alliance between the rural school
and the home will be made closer, and
the great work of vitalizing rural school
work for the future betterment of the
state will be pushed forward.
There is no greater work to be done
in Georgia than that of improving the
rural schools" said Mr.. Smith Tuesday.
THE school room must be close to real
life If its best work its to be &C
complished.
WORKING ALREADY.
"In a number of counties, in connection
with their rural school work, the chill
dren do work at home. Farming, poultry
and hog raising and domestic work, I'M
der the supervision of parents and teach
err. Prizes are offered for the best pro-
duction of cotton, corn, etc, by boy on
a quarter of an acre of land. Prizes are
offered to the girls for cooking, sewing
and dairyng. In this way school life
and home life are interviewer.
In a number Of counties they have a
day set apart for the children, when they
ell meet and have a childrens county
school and fair day. They present the
exhibits of the work which they have
done on the farm in connection with
their work in the school house, and
prizes are delivered.
Il wish to see the next two years
marked by the greatest possible progress
in our rural schools.
WILL URGE 1T.
81 believe i'm the plan which | have
Just mentioned that is now being prac-
ticed in a number of counties. I would
be glad to see II introduced In every
county I'm the state. | expect to urge
that something of the kind tie done in
every county.
LAS I am identified i'm a measure with
farm work in DeKalb county. ! am go
Ing to help start this work there. Mr.
Steele, the county school commissioner,
and have talked Ia avsr. and we invite