The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-06
INSTRUCTOR IN NORWAY 'apMA[ I;
SCHOOL MUCH PI5,s .p1MITH THE !,
EDUCATIONAL Trend IN AMERICA

rural schools, but that the only
way in which to bring this about
was to pay bigger salaries so. as TO
get the men to teach. "a
fYou have too few men teachers
in this country" he remarked. LII
you paid bigger salaries you would
draw them to the rural schools.
have found here that generally the
teacher in the rural school is
young woman who has graduated
from the city school, and knows
very little about the conditions In
the country.
Keep Boys on the Farm.
"If you taught more agriculture
in the rural schools you would make
it easier to keep the boys on the
farm This is one of the great
est problems you have to contend
with, the same as Norway.e There
the boys are leaving the farms for
the cities and just now we are try.
ing to get agriculture as one Of the
principal subjects in the schools SO
as to keep, most of the boys away
from the cities"
Discussed Manual Training. So
Mr.. Hoverstad was also an enthu-
siast over the manual training siTen
here, but thought that we still did
not teach it enough. The subject
should be taught in every school
He conferred especial praise to the
Stout institute at Menomonie. Wis.
IF l lived in Minnesota I would
want a school like that" he said.
Here manual training in every way
is taught. Agriculture is also one
of the main subjects. -tss
What probably proved Of most'sin-
terest to him was. the teaching tof
domestic sciences and arts. These
he advocated in the strongest terms.
He did not mention much about
foreign languages, talking, more Of
the practical subjects taught dn-sOar
schools. -. =
Agriculture. manual training. do
nestle science and arts" are the
subjects that Norway wants just Eat
present." he said.
Mr.. Hoverstad has been in this
country just eight weeks. but before
returning he intends Ito visit the
schools ia Minpes6ta, ;IoHa. IilinAis,
Indiana, Pennsylvania, Nov York
and Massachusetts. 49, -
Things Yet to learn. > :.
While in Mankato he visited the
high school and the normal and be-
fore departing last night for Sioux
City said that it would be good
idea for the government of sthis
country to send. out some fepresen.
tative to inspect the Schools OF
foreign countries Just as Norway
was sending him. He added another
argument to the old maxim that no
one is too old to learn, and al
though this country was far ahead
of any other country in the world
in resources and educational facili.
ties as we'll as money, he thought
that there were many things I'm
which it could improve and learn
something from some of the old
countries of Europe.
"The government should own and
operate the railroads." remarked
Mr.. Hoverstad. at costs too much
to travel about. You have such q
big country and it. requires time
and money to get about. II the gov:
eminent owned and operated the.
railroads rates. hoth freight and
passenger, could be. reduced and
equally as good service could be-
given the travelling public. -
"You have so much money in
this country. Where do the people
get all this money? You. have so
much money for your schools and
yet you do not pay the teaching
force the salaries that you should.
Are a Busy People. s
"My, but you people are SO busy
over here. You are all hustle and
hustle. You move so quickly that
it does seem to me that You do not
have time to think. 1t is grand
country. There is so much to see
that ones mind IS in a constant
whirl. Excitement everywhere. DO
the people ever stop to rest?" And
Mr.. Hoverstad talked on, express
ing his admiration for America and
her people. "The American people
are wonderful. They are resource
full. They can do things-nothiffg
seems to be impossible" IT.