Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1911-05-25
.AUDRAIA GIRL WINS
IN STATE CONTEST

Columbia, Mo-, May 2S.-Miss Jen-
ME Miller, of Duly School. Audrain
County. has been awarded the prem
irm for the best note book kept by
an agricultural student in any OF the
Demonstration schools of the state,
There were several hundred contest
ants and this honor is a great one.
Last September r. H. Emberson.
Professor of Rural Education, State
University began a special work in
somo of the rural schools OF this
state Three of these schools, the
Duly. the Prairie Lee, and the Wal
kef. were located in Audrain County.
There were ten schools in different
parts Of the state. These were demon.
mated demonstration schools. .
the aim being to attempt one or two
definite things and to give report
on the same.
Some OF the things attempted were
to make the study of elementary ag-
riculIre as definite and as practi-
cal as possible; to improve the sub
ject OF reading by giving pupils a
taste and a desire for good reading;
aud to improve the daily program by
the plan of alienation.
The work in agriculture was plan
led and directed by Mr.. Emberson.
While the course was not based on
any particular text book, still he al
ways recommended the use of text.
Suggestions on how to present
the work and questions on
the topics covered were sent
out from time to time. The aim was
to make this subject one of great ed
ucational value to the pupils by max
ing them close observers of some Of
the things that come into their daily
life and experience. 1t aimed further
to give some scientific training
which has been almost totally neglec
ed in the elementary schools of this
state.
Pupils we're required to keep note
books In all the work done In this
subject, in which were recorded all
important data, all experiments made
in the schools or at home and in
which were made drawings to illus
trate the work. Two of these
schools, the Duly and the Walker,
prepared and planted gardens on the
school grounds, the object being to
study by actual observation the ger
minatlon Of seeds and plant growth
This is a new work, in the rural
schools OF this state, although one
would expect TO find such work In
these schools and that 1t would be
given a prominent place In the daily
program. 1t is very probable that
large number of rural schools in Mis-
souri, will give special emphasis to
this work beginning with the new
school year.
Prof. Emberson began a contest
among these demonstration schools"
last fall, by offerings a premium for
the best note book on agriculture pre-
pared by pupils in the 7th and sth
grades. The Judging was done by
Messrs Doane, Johnson and Hutchinson
members of the Agricultural College
faculty, and it is needless to say that
they were in every way capable for
this duty. The first premium was
awarded Jennie Miller Of the Duly
school. This is an honor Of which
Audrain County, the Duly school, and
the teacher-Miss Golden Emerson
can feel justly proud. The premium
given was penant in the University
colors, old gold and black, bearing
full ear of ripened corn. Nothing
more appropriate could have been Sc
lected. Professor Emberson is work
ing on plans for next year. The con
ties in which he will work have not
yet been determined. While the speci-
fic work will be somwhat medified
from that done this year, the general
aim will be the same, which is the
Improvement of the rural schools OF
NF;o,n,,ri