The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-07-06

GIRLS LEARNING ICE CREAM MAKING At
DOMESTIC SCIENCE SCHOOL.
school principals have too long ar
ranged their courses of study for the
3 per cent Of their pupils who will go
to college, ignoring the needs of the
other 81 per cent
Hard as this system was on the boy
in town, 1t was harder still on the
country boy. There was nothing In
the high school course that was con-
nected even remotely with his life on
the farm. Most Of his time was given
to mathematics. Latin. German. etc..
with perhaps little music and art
thrown in. The mathematics were
help in developing his mind and teach
ing him to think. The Latin and Ger
man were Of little value except to the
per cent who expected to enter col
lege. The music probably was given
by a teacher who couldn't sing half
so well as the meadow larks at home
and the art by one who couldn't draw
COW or pig to save his life.
The worst part of the high school
from the farm boys standpoint was
the attitude toward work in general
and farm work in particular. The
boys and girls were encouraged to pre-
pare for college in order that they
might get through life more easily,
though perhaps they were not told so
in so many words. The teachers talk
ed of the farm as good place TO
come from perhaps, but carried the
| idea that farming was not a worthy
| calling for boy with ambition. Every
thing he heard or learned pointed
away from the farm and toward the
city. Not only was the farm boy de
MED any knowledge Of the farm. but
! he was taught to see the bright side
Of every other calling and the dark
/ side of his own 1t was little wonder
that he left the farm at the end of his
high school course.
The high schools are coming to pay
vastly more respect to the 81 per cent
| Of their pupils. They are realizing the
| truth Of the statement that the educa
ton which increased boys wants
j without increasing his earning capaci
ty is a failure. Courses In carpentry
shop work and mechanics have beer
put in< The whole attitude OF th'
high school is changing, and more ut
tention is being paid to preparing stu
dents for life than to preparing then
for college. The students are bein'
taught that 1t is an honor to worl
with their hands. The girls are beinl
taught domestic science and home eco
nomics. In shUt. the high school ha
seen its opportunity and is grasping Il
In all this development the countr
boy has been left out The atmol
phere Of the high school ~ still tina
of the city. A few have attempted t
teach agriculture, and some have sut
ceeded. It has become plain. however
that school located on block 9
land in the heart Of a city cannot hop
to teach agriculture with the creates
degree Of success. With that realiz'
ton has come the secondary agrtcu
tural school. Such schools are all to
few as yet. but their numbers are u
creasing rapidly as the demand &
them grows. Some are supported
the counties. some by the states On
some privately. Some OF the demon
lational and preparatory schools has
been very successful In teaching agl
culture. Georgia has eleven dtstri
:. agricultural schools that are doh
great work in educating the raj
and Ole Of the future farmers Of q