The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-11-16
Knapp Agricultural Day.

, urged by their educational and aeri-
cultural leaders to assemble 3.OOO,-
| 900 farmers, their families and
friends, in the $4,000 school houses on
November 2|th for an hour, in order
to survey and review their agricul-
tural resources and achievements. and
to express their appreciation of the
services or one of their great benefac-
tors. Agriculture is worthy of this
consideration, for the farmers of the
nation have this year produced ten
billion dollars worth of crops to feed
and clothe nearly 10000, 900 people
here, with a surplus for other ma
tions.
Knapp Agricultural Day is the Of
tcial designation. The South wishes
to honor the memory of DR.. S. A.
Knapp as the founder of the Demon
straton Work and the Boys and Girls
Clubs. This is fitting, because 1OO,-
600 demonstrators are making large
boys are attracting worldwide at
tention by growing more than 225
/ bushels on one acre at low cost. The
indications are that several Of the
$4,000 boys will this year break all
records. 1t is fitting, because $4,000
girls, in the harvest season. are filling
pantries with wholesome food and SELL
ing the surplus. 1t is a duty, because
DIR. Knapp taught a new method in
agriculture and the lessons must be
more widely impressed and unfail-
ingly transmitted. Representatives of
England, Russia, Brazil, South Africa,
Siam and Argentine have come to
learn them. 1t is high time for
American schools to take the lead in
these ideas.
What vast possibilities loom up. if
the people of the whole South will an
nually focus their thoughts on agricul-
ture and country life for just one hour.
1t is hoped that the observance will
grow into custom and that an Agri-
cultural Day will become an annual
feature Of all the schools.
Such Day can include in it's ex-
ercises survey Of all the activities
which trace directly to the farmer:
crops, trees. birds, nature, the chill
dren of the country and their proper
equipment. Surely the celebration of
an Agricultural Day has possibilities
enough to make it the greatest Occ;l-
sion of the year 1t could be made
to render untold service, not only IN
the schools of the South but Of the
whole nation. And the city child is
coming to need such survey of agri-
cultural matters even more than the
country child; the private school
pupil needs it quite as much as the
public school pupil.
A double signifiance will attach to
the Day this year. In connection
with the program Of country life it is
planned to commemorate the life and
services of DR.. Seaman A. Knapp. His
teachings are universally known and
followed throughout the South and
their value is everywhere gratefully
acknowledged. Among the men of re-
cent years who have contributed ideas
Of vital worth to the educational de-
velOpment of the South, ne stands out
prominently. His contribution was
not merely to out material wealth. But
getting from their labor. and money,
and the great agricultural awakening
now in progress are emphatically due
to his intelligence, teachings, and
demonstrations. 1t is appropriate,
therefore, that his influence should be
perpetuated and made operative
through the activities of the Knapp
Farm and school of Country Life to
be established at Nashville and in
connection with George Peabody Col
leee for Teachers. 1t is highly ap-
propriate that this should be done
mainly through the small contribu-
tions How much better that a null
utudc Cf nickles and dimes and dol
lars shall establish this public-service
institution for the entire South than
to ask few men to give the whole
sum.
When $4,000 is collected for the
farm and school building S25O.0OO
will be added for endowment of the
School of Country Life by the Gener-
al Education Board No other such
institution exists. 1t will start out
with the purpose of reaching and help
ing every school and farm in the