The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-11-26

SeuSeE, Uul lOO OFTEN CQere are some
members who consider 80 harmless q
thing as an ice cream supper to help
pay the preacher a sin. As a result
the Importance Of the church as So
ctal factor Is not what it should be. =.
The most important centers Of social
life in the country are farmers organ
izations Of various kinds. Probably
the most important Of these, because
the most extensive, is the grange The
grange has been in existence for for
ty-four years and numbers at present
more than 10000 members. In those
communities where it has obtained a
strong hold it is very effective IN bring
ing the people together. In the older
states grange neighborhood can be
told by the looks of the farms and
buildings.
The plan Of the local grange is to
hold meetings at regular intervals,
usually once week in the winter and
sometimes as infrequently as once a
month in the summer. Generally these
meetings are held at the home of one
Of the members. The whole family be-
longs. As a rule, there is literary
program in connection with the meet
ing. where the boys and girls learn to
talk in public. Part of the program is
devoted to agricultural topics, as one
Of the objects Of the grange is educa-
ton in farming. There is always
enough amusement mixed in, how
ever, to keep the children interested.
In the winter the meetings begin in
the afternoon, and the men look over
the stock and talk over their problems
while the children play and the women
''visit."
In addition to the grange. there are
doing great deal to bring their men,
bers together socially. The only rea-
son that there are not more such or
CARNATIONS is the lack Of some one to
take the lead. The cities have so long
been drawing the best blood from some
rural communities that in many places
there is precious little left to build
upon With the changing conditions
that are restoring the farm to a lead
ing place in our national life there
will be no lack of leaders. and the
time will come when every community
will have its club or grange.
In the Mississippi valley states,
where industrial cooperation has OBJ
tanned a strong foothold. cooperative
picnics are one Of the principal diver
sions. These are big affairs. including
all the people for miles around. There
are speeches and amusements and plen-
ty to eat, and every one goes home
happy.
A number Of country towns and ru-
raj communities have a field day"
once or twice a year. which is in the
nature Of big picnic, at which ath-
letic contests predominant.
Local Fourth Of July celebrations
give the country boys chance to
advance in helping to get things ready,
and they enjoy the day great deal
more than they would a ready made
celebration in big town. where all
they could do would be to stand on
the side lines and shout. The best part
of these affairs Is that they develop
originality and initiative on the part of
the young people. 1t teaches them to
develop any latent ability for leader
ship which they may possess. The boy
who can get together nine farmer boys
on Saturday afternoons and organize
them into a ball team that can win
from the neighboring township is the
one who is going to be able to do
things when be gets older. It is no
small task to make an effective team
out Of nine boys when eight Of them
want to pitch and the other couldn't
catch ball to save his life.
1t is the farm boys Of today who
will be foremost in the agricultural
communities of tomorrow. One Of the
most important of the social factors
affecting farm life is a boys club.
Nebraska has a we'll developed sys-
tenn of boys and girls corn clubs.
There are few in Iowa and Illinois.
and more are being organized. The
members of these clubs each have
their plot Of corn. They meet around
from place to place. get better &C.
Quainted with one another and study
corn growing. Often an experienced
corn grower meets with them and
gives them some practical lessons. In
some cases these clubs are under the
supervision Of the agricultural college.
which sends out letters Of instruction
to the boys every two weeks or so. In
the winter corn contest is held at
the agricultural college, Some Of the
counties have local contests. There
are prizes for the best corn and for the
best corn judging. Often the boys who
do the best work at the local contests
have their expenses paid to the state
contest at the agricultural college.
Similar contests in cooking and sew
Ing are held for the girls. Work of
this kind is an inspiration to the bows
and girls. They begin to see some Of
the real enjoyment of farm life.
This work is being extended to the.
boys Of the cities by means of summer
camps, where the boys are taken for