The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-20
BOYS AeRIcULTURAL CLUB.
Work Discussed by Superintendent at
Castine.
Castine. Me, July Is, 1911.

; School Superintendent held at Cas-
tine during the past week one even
ing was given over to the discussion
of Boys Agricultural clubs and their
value to the country boys of Maine.
This part of the program consisted of
an address by Leon s. Merrill. Dean
of the College of Agriculture. Orono,
and was followed by a very full dis
cussion of the proposition by those
present Mr.. Merrill said In part:
Agriculture is no longer consid-
cred of secondary importance. Its
relation to the success of other in
dustries and the stability of govern
ments Is now recognized. This being
true then there no longer exists good
reason why boys of our State whether
they be country or city bred should
not receive instruction of some sort
in the fundamentals of an industry
which relates SO intimately to the
lives of each one of u.s. The boys
and girls clubs can serve as the
means through which the nature
study and school garden work so pro-
fitably conducted by many of the
teachers In the elementary and rural
schools of the State can function
more successfully. Boys and girls
are naturally ambitious. They like
to do things that are worth while and
to win. There Is nothing quite so
stimulating as contests of wit, skill,
or strength. Organization always
appeals TO young people. 1t teaches
them parliamentary and business
methods. Through competition in the
contests organized their interest is
enlisted In the production of ma
terial things the spirit of thrift is
| created. In the marketing of their
products business instincts are es-
! tablished. The idea of individual
ownership is a very happy one to
create in the minds of young people
All these things furnish training for
the young mind. The boy and the
girl learn to observe quickly and to
| reach correct conclusions They
learn to recognize soils, plants, and
plant diseases.
The active work of such clubs con-
sists of the organization and direction
of contests of various kinds. Crop
growing among the boys and the
practice of domestic arts among the
girls constitute the chief features ex-
cept the exercises and lessons given
In the schools as supplementary to
the contests and which in the opinion
OF the speaker had best accompany
them as an integral part of the work.
Inc contests In farm crops should re-
late quite closely to the interests of
the community in which the club is
located and may be in corn, potatoes.
beans, small grains or fruit Those
In domestic arts might include bread
making, drawing, or sewing of yari-
Gus kinds. Prizes should always be
offered but as rule should be given
in some other form than money Pub
lie spirited people are willing to sup
port movements having for their pur-
pose the development of the young,
and there ought to be no difficulty in
securing prizes appropriate for such
purposes. Each year an exhibition
should be held where the products of
the contests will be entered in com
petition.
The boys club movement has de-
yeloped to a large degree In the
United States. 1t began in New York
about 1898 under the auspices of the
Agricultural College and from
small beginning has grown to a men,
bership of more than $4,000 Nebras-
ka has 10000 members and each year
holds state exhibition. Last year
a grand Corn Banquet was held at
which more than 5000 Nebraska boys
and girls sat down. The United
States Department of Agriculture is
also taking an active part in the or
ganization and direction of such clubs
and have now more than $4,000 boys
enrolled as active members. All of
this work has resulted in nearly 300
600 boys and girls engaging in the
contests directed by the Junior Agri- |
cultural clubs in our country, and
from 1t In many sections have come
improved methods and increased
crop yield.
I'm Maine the work has just now
begun. Five clubs have already been
organized They are located at Nor
way, Patten, Island Falls, Sherman
and Bucksport The first four we're
organized through the active work of
the lecturers of the local Oranges and
the superintendent of schools. The
one at Bucksport was organized by
the boys in the agricultural course in
A.l
These clubs serve as the beginning
for the year 1911 and promise greater
activities for 1912. Undoubtedly such |
clubs should have some central or
state direction and this direction and |
encouragement should be given by |
those forces directly interested in the
development of the young and the
promotion of country and farm life
and 1t means much to the boys and
girls of Maine that the State Grange.
the State Department of Education,
and the College of Agriculture are
willing to unite In this splendid work,
and to serve as patrons to the move
ment. Plans for organization, in
GLIDING tentative bylaws have been
prepared and will be sent out on re-
quest, by either the lecturer of the
State Grange, the State Superinten-
dent of Schools, or the Director of
Extension Work at the College of
Agriculture.
Such assistance as may be neces-
sary in the direction of the contests
and the holding of the annual exhibit
ton will be given by the patrons of
the movement. Oranges, Superinten-
dents of Schools. and teachers inter-
ested in the movement should com
municate with one of the above. from
whom assistance Will be Immediately
given"
Great interest was manifested in
the subject discussed By Mr.. Merrill