News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1912-02-21

Scientific Gardening and Elements Of Agri-
culture for Our Children aud Youth

|
We are frequently asked whether man.
ual training, scientific gardening, and
elements of agriculture would not benefit
eur children and youth. Yes. Especially
in this community where the people live
by handicrafts and farming, these practi'
Cal subjects ought tn be taught along
with domestic science. Then why not
these branches be introduced into public
schools?
Books on agriculture are being used as
texts in some of our schools; and such
works will soon find a place in every
school programme among us. Such books
as practical Agriculture elements OF
Agriculture" and "Trees of New Eng
land' are excellent for supplementary
reading in schools. So are "Gartlens and
their Meaning" How to set out Trees
and Shrubbery," "About Jersey Cattle"
"The Selection and Care of Cattle, ""The
Horse, His History and How to Treat
Him." Poultry for Pleasure and Profit
"Our Birds and their Habits" "What
We Owe the Birds" aud SIN the Flower
Garden"
Boys as well as girls may profitably
read "The Mission of Good Bread, 1.-THE
Place of the Cook in Domestic Econ
omy," What Small Hands May Do to
Keep the Home, y practical Religion in
Good Housekeeping, Queens of the
Needle" and Hand Culture Lessons"
But beyond such readings and lessons
we cannot now proceed in the schools of |
Emore, Morristown and Stowe.
We have no adequate grounds on
which to construct school gardens, nor |
can we purchase more at present. Even
in our village schools, the buildings are
so crowded that we cannot find space
enough for manual training shops, much
less is room available for such proposes
in our small. rural school houses.
This, however, we can do-while teach
ers train pupils in the theories of indus
Try, parents can direct their children in
practical understanding
IL Wis Gnu J. edIuoSIiJ ItuucoL lHdb |
zach child of school age be given piece
If ground to cultivate at home. Also en-
courage them to use tools in wood work
n small repairs of fences and buildings
md in the manufacture of useful or orna-
mental articles. Let the children have
are of colts, calves. lambs, swine and
owls of their own choosing. Let it be
Understood that the avails of the land,
illed by them and the proceeds of the
took and poultry which they rear shall
e converted into savings bank deposits
q their own names.
Not to the boys alone ought such privi-
ages to be accorded. Give the girls OPP
ortunites to learn by experience of toll
nd responsibility in practical affairs.
Advise the children wisely as to the
ind of crops which your soil will best
ustain. and encourage them to read ag-
cultural journals and to seek informa-
ion through the bulletins of the agricul-
lral departments of the State UNIVERSE
y and the United States Government.
l have applied to the officers of the
.amoille County fair for space in which
D arrange school exhibit and | hope to
ecuIeit
But 1 am especially anxious that our
oys and girls shall be prepared next fall
0 take part in THE VERMONT CORN
HOW. Prizes of cash and valuable ar
icles were given last year, ranging from
2 to SIS, the headquarters being then
t Windsor. No doubt similar prizes
will be offered this year. SO select seeds
arly. Plan for grand, advance OF the
hildren in home, farm industries, as
veil as for the best school work of our
ives. am
Yours for sound, practical education of
land, mind and heart,
LEONARD T. COLE, Union Supt.