The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1911-11-06
TALK ON
RURAL SCHOOL PROBL EN-

department. These departments are
| publishing in popular form, a great
deal OF information on agriculture.
nature study, domestic science. etc.
They are conducting correspondence
courses, extension schools and lecture
courses. They are active in organiz-
Ing and encouraging boys and girls
clubs. These clubs are engaged along
many lines Of activity, such as corn
and potato raising, poultry culture.
fruit culture, canning and preserving
or fruits, bird study, sewing home
decoration, etc. Nor are these activi-
ties confined to the colleges. high
schools, especially OF the Putnam type
In Minnesota, are carrying on these
activities In their respective counties
just as the colleges and universities are
attempting to do in their states.
A Big Problem.
THE existing gulf between school
and home" is a phrase in common
parlance. The home exists as one in
stitution-the school as another. The
two have but little common interest.
Until this condition can be overcome,
the rural school problem will continue
to stare us In the face. Home and
farm problems must become a part Of
the school activities and on the other
hand the home and farm must be i'm
pregnated with a wholesome and en-
| tightening influence eninatinR from
the school. How shall this result be
accomplished? How shall the two in
stitutions be brought into closer har-
mony and warmer sympathy
Away back in 1885 the teachers of
the eastern part Of Oeeana county,
Michigan, organized at Hesperia.
small inland town, what they chose to
call the Teachers and Patrons asso-
ctation. Their meetings were open to
teachers, pupils and patrons alike.
Their programmes consisted partly in
entertainment features partly in spec-
ialized educational problems, and part
ly In farm and home topics. What was
the result? The meetings grew in
popularity, interest and effectiveness
To this little town. fourteen miles from
railroad, have come statemen, orators,
entertainers, educators OF national
fame to address audiences not only of
teachers, but of farmers, farmers
wives, farmers children, all the people
who make UP the country community.
The Hesperian movement has re-
suited in more efficient teachers, bet
ter appointed school premises, more
liberal and intelligent school officers.
It has also resulted In better managed
farms, better live stock, better roads,
better homes-in general a better
standard Of living In a country COM
munity.
In 1905 DR.. A. E. Winship wrote edi-
torially as follows: "Tt is now fourteen
years since ID. Il. Mcclure spoke into
being the Hesperian movement, which
ls great union of educational and
farmer forces, in a mid winter chau-
tauqua, as 1t were. Twelve miles from
the railroad In the slight village of
Hesperta, one street village one side
OF the street being In one county and
the other side In another, for three
days and evenings in mid winter each
year in ranshaclxle building, 500 peo-
pie from all parts OF the two counties
sit In reserved seats, for which they
pay good price. and listen to one or
two notable speakers and number OF
local functionaries. One-half OF the
time is devoted to education and the
either to farm interests
The same year The Michigan Moder-
ator- Topics had the following: Hes
peria scores another success. For such
meeting to succeed two years IL cred
itable--to hold out for five years is
wonderful--to last ten Is marvellous.
but to grow bigger and better for four
teen years is little short Of miracul-
GUS"
What is the rural problem OF the
day? IL is the problem Of the Axneri-
can farmer, or his financial welfare, OF
his home, OF his education, OF his social
and moral status, Of his perpetuity. "A
fundamental law liz that OF variation
and natural selection 10 but another
way OF saying the SURVIVED OF the 1T
est" BY these severe and rigid laws
ever operative In the world of men as
In the world Of animals and plants, the
less active, alert and intelligent must
be superseded by those possessing
these characteristics In greater degree.
Pauperian and serfdom. or at best d
system OF landlord and tenatism must
result. Such state of affairs Ia not
desirable. II is lln-Ameriean. 1t may
and can only be averted by proper
| system OF education The rural school
must play d large and important part.
| II II up to tlle country school teacher
To start something.
First. She must be IN sympathy with
her patrons. She must appreciate their
interests. She must knew farm prob
lems- In short, she must understand
her own geology.
Second She must be leader. ri ss
not enough that she hears recltations