The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1912-06-27
TEACHERS INTEREST
IN RURAL PROBLEMS
pr. James Withycvurbc OF the Orrgon
Agricultural College, Talks to Ped.
agosucs u, the summer session of
the >chooi

special to The Herald
CORVALLIS. June -. ..--urging u
grcater interest In rural problems
aud In the introduction of agricui-
tural enthusiasm into the school
room. Dr James withycombc. direct
OF ot the experiment stations. spoke
las, week before the teachers gather
cd at the Oregon Agricultural College
summer session,
The supreme purpose OF educa-
tion is citizenship" said Dr. Witty.
combe. In Introduction. Thus the
cardinal principle that should dom.
mate our common school work should
be education for efficiency. We are
citizens of a state marvellous for Its
agricultural opportunities. yet W.
present the peculiar anomaly of hav-
INK only about 30 per cent OF our pop
ultaion living upon the land.
As u nation We have made tr,-
mendous progress. for example.
while We have only per cent OF the
Inhabited area OF the world. yet We
have two-nfths OF the bank deposits
and banking capital OF the world.
over one-third OF the railways OF the
globe, and We produce over one-hfth
OF the worlds wheat, three-fourths
of the worlds corn. aud one-fourth
OF the oats. This fabulous production
however. Is not due so much to our
good methods OF farming as to the
great fertility OF our virgin soils. This
fertility through faulty methods Is
being rapidly exhausted; hence every
rural person Is interested In methods
for Its future conservation.
While we are producing immense
quantities OF agricultural commodi-
ties. the fact remains that according
to our present increase OF population.
the qaestion Of feeding our people Is
a vital one. Statistics show that our
population doubles every twenty-five
years. According TO this. In about ffty
people In the United States.
There Is not a great deal OF un-
developed agricultural area left when
We will have reclaimed through irri-
gatlon and improved methods OF dry
farming that which Is not now occu.
pied. When We consider this great
economic problem IL certainly seems
that the school children OF our coun-
try should get some idea early In life
regarding their probable solution.
The pupils In the lower grades
should have their attention directed
TO some phase Of agriculture. as this
Is our great basic Industry. Teachers
should have deep sympathy and In
terest In rural Affairs. They should
get hold OF some examples OF success
full farmers and bring them In some
way TO the attention of the boys In
the public schools.
"A farmer In this country. for es-
ample. last year harvested $4,000
worth OF clover seed from so acres
Df land, while his neighbor on a sim
liar area In two seasons. including a I
fallow. raised but 35 bushels .
of wheat per acre, worth only S2G an I
acre, with perhaps double the cost
of production per acre. This should !
be shown the students. and II may
possibly excite their interest In clover
"A good plan would be to secure a .
,loyer plant. or one Of vetch or some .
other legume. and show tho noduies
On the roots. explaining the nitrogen
organisms thereon. and their bene- /
icial effect on the soil as regards 10 |
'rops. Again. another good educa-
ional feature would be to secure
Iome good. typical. rural scenes as
pictures TO hang on the walls OF the
chool-fne horses. high class swine
md cattle, good poultry breeds---and
occasionally call the attention OF the
hildren to their merits. In this way
he boys VIII begin TO think there In
In agriculture.
II am not very nrm believer In
agriculture In the public
chool. but do favor making II ele-
mental fundamental agriculture.
Rural economic problems could
'e presented. as the question Of CO.
perative marketing. buying and sell
NC and cooperative banking. thus
alling the attention Of the pupils to
Methods OF reducing the great cost OF