The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-26
Clemson Extension Work.
Article XXI.

Realizing the need of Industrial
education, the State Board placed the
subject of agriculture in the public
school curriculum. The good to be
derived from this step cannot at
this early date, be estimated. The
average child, when it enters school,
knows more about agriculture than
any other profession, and most Of
them go back to this calling when
they have finished the public school
course and the sad part is, they go
back little better fitted to carry on
their work then when they entered
school. They have their minds filled
with facts about almost every con-
ceivable subject except the import
ant one, the one by which they are
to derive living.
The interest in the teaching of ag-
rlculture is but a part Of a much
larger question, the movement for
teaching by means of things that
have come within the students ex-
perience, and for teaching something
that will be of some material use TO
the student when school days are
over. Unless our education is of
some practical use, time is i'll spent
in obtaining it,
When the subject was placed
in the public school course, very
few Of the teachers were pre-
pared to teach it since their train
Ing had not included it. Realizing
the state of affairs, the trustees of
Clemson College created the position
Of Rural School Agriculturist. The
work Of this position is to assist the
teacher in any way possible in pre-
senting the subject of agriculture
to the pupil. This is done by CO.
operating with the teacher, visiting
the school at regular intervals, and
giving help by suggestions or any
other way by which the suject may
be presented to the pupil in a help
full manner. The plan at present is
to select a few schools in different
sections Of the State, and visit each of
these once month, staying a day or
two days if necessary and work with
both teachers and pupils. 1t will not
be possible for one man 20 work all
the schools Of the State, but by
working with as many as possible in
different sections, others may profit by
the work Of those visited. Since the
principal thing in teaching is to
keep the pupil interested (for if we
can keep the interest up, the pro-
cess of obtaining the knowledge will
follow naturally, the visits to the
schools will be to work with the pu-
pills as we'll as the teachers. This
work with the pupil will be Of diff
ferent nature as circumstances diff
fer. With some, clubs of an agricul-
tural nature will be organized and
prizes awarded. With others contests
of different nature will be given, as
for instance. corn judging contests.
With still others, reading courses will
be given, and esspys written by the
pupil on agricultural subjects.
The underlying reason why such
teaching is desirable is because il
brings the school in touch with the
home life. AS Mr.. Warren of Cor
nell says, The teaching of agricul-
ture will make better farmers. who
will make more money" and it is
only by this means that we can build
up our schools and make our coun-
try life what it should be-the most
pleasant, profitable, and independent
Of all lives.
Since it will be possible, as above
stated, to visit all the schools of the
State, it Will be necessary for the
teachers, o. any one interested, to
make application for the work. This
can be done by writing the Super
intendent Extension Work, Glenn
son College, S. c., as this work is
directly under the Extension Divis-
ion
g. b. HADDEN,
Rural School Agriculturist.