The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-07-06
SCHOOL FARMS.

Needing more money for their
schools than was being raised by tax
alton the inhabitants OF Wake count
N. c., adopted the unique expedient
OF ~cultivating the land surrounding the
schools, the money obtained from the
sale of the crops being used for the
benefit Of the school. Seventeen such
school farms were operated last year.
They we're worked by I,200 persons.
men, women n children. who con
tributed their labor free. The net
81 1900.
This new movement to raise addi-
tional funds for the country school is
described by A. G. Monahan, assistant
In r EDUCATION in the United States
bureau Of education, in a nogra
Just issued for free distribution bv the
bureau. Mr.. Monahan writes:
THE plan has been called the
school-farm movement and compre-
hends the establishment OF small
farms of from two to ten acres in
connection with every country school.
This farm Is to be cultivated by the
children and their parents, working to-
farm bees
THE working bees are GATHERINGS
for social purposes, as well as for cul-
tiyatton OF the school land. Each
school farm is usually given to one
crop. A regular system OF rotation is
planned. The agricultural work Is
done under the supervision OF the best
farmer In the community. so that good
methods are used. Every person.
therefore, taking part is given the OPP
portunity to observe the most success
full systems OF raising the crops under
cultivation.
The income received from the sale
OF the products raised on the school
farm Is used for general school pur-
poses. 1t is hoped by this movement
TO accomplish three things. First. to
make money to be used in supplement-
ing the school fund: second, to offer
an opportunity to make the teaching
OF agriculture in the rural school en-
tirely practical and to illustrate how
pleasant farm work can be made under
proper conditions; and. third, to offer
rural communities opportunities for
gatherings to develop the social side
of farm life, with the schoolhouse the
social center of the community and
the principal occupation of the people
-farming-the center OF interest.
The hrst work was done at Holly
Springs where, two years ago, two
acres Of land were planted to cotton.
The lighter work was done by the.
wornen and children Of the community.
while the me did the heavy work. Al
community dinner was a part OF the
programme for each gathering.
Two bales of cotton were raised,
netting the school s11s. The next
year the plan was tried at eleven
schools, the crops raised including
cotton, corn, tobacco and wheat. on
the eleven farms 1900 persons partic-
ipated In the work. The net proft
was nearly 1920. Last year six adj
ditional farms were established,
making a total OF seventeen farms.
"The children Of the county want
these school farms, and the older peo-
pie are in sympathy with the idea.
The results have been an increased In
terest In the schools and the school
work, al Improvement in the appear
ance of the buildings and grounds, and
the iengthening OF the school year: all
SO the development OF a better COM
munity spirit and an Improvement Id.
general farming in the county,
The school-farm movement was de2
veloped under the leadership of q. W..
Judd, the county superintendent Of
public instruction.