The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-02-22
EDUCATIONAL.
(BY G. W. MEISNEST.)

1t Is time for the teachers to begin
to think about how and where to get
the seed to be used by the children for
planting in their school and home
gardens. A sack of corn will again be
secured by the county superintendent
from the department of agriculture Of
the University of Wisconsin. This
corn will be distributed free to the
teachers, who in turn should call for it
at the superintendent Office and dis
tribute to each pupil, his portion. l
expect 10 receive this sack of corn in a
few weeks. If teachers and pupils have
been careful in selecting and drying
corn they raised last year it would be
alright to use that, but if it was not
carefully selected it would be we'll to
get the seed corn for another year at
| least from the superintendent. 1t
should be emphasized by the teachers
that pupils hereafter select their own
seed at the proper time. This is what
the agricultural department is aiming
to do, hopes to have farmers select
their own seed corn in the proper way
by giving these lessons to the children
in the schools. Corn then ought TO be
the one grain that should be empha-
sized this spring, and next fall when
we have our town and district fairs
again the corn exhibit ought by all
means predominate.
Potato culture also ought receive
more than ordinary attention by teach
ers and pupils. The necessity of select
ing the seed in fall should be empha-
sized together with the other import
ant factors. A good marketable potato
should be raised, not too large but free
from all the blemishes often found on
potatoes. Teachers can do much good
teaching along this line.
Possibly few other grains or
vegetables might be important, but as
only few ought be thoroughly taken
up the rest should be made more sec
ondary.
In addition to these products prac-
tically any or all of the other grains or
vegetables should be raised, mot by all
children) so that we will have a nice
rounded out exhibit next fall, with
corn and potatoes standing out as the
most important part of the exhibit.
There should be much corn and many
potatoes.
| Now then as for the seed The corn
will be furnished by the county super
intendent. Also some children will
have properly selected and cared for
corn. The potatoes will have to be
selected from the farmers. Encourage
every pupil to hereafter put away his
seed potatoes in the fall. The other
seeds may be secured in the following
various ways:
l. From the local seed stores.
2. Sample packages are often sent
out from Washington, d. G. Write
your representative or senator in con-
gress, and if the demands are not too
numerous he will send you number
of samples of good seed.
3. Some children and teachers have
good seeds of their own.
4. The Flower Mission, POOP West
25th St., Cleveland, Ohio. This COM
pany makes it a specially of sending
out seeds for school childrens gardens.
This firm puts up seeds for children in
penny packets. Write for catalogue.
5. Henry Field Seed Co., Shenan
doah, Iowa. Write to this firm and
find out particulars.
A number of teachers are going to
plant some gardens, especially flower
gardens on the school ground. A num-
ber of schools might have had most
excellent district fairs last year had
they thought Of it in time and made
arrangements accordingly. This year
we all know of it, let us make our
plans now. Try to get your seed now
so that you will be ready when plant
ing time comes.
The district and town fairs especially
those held in the towns of Meeme,
Kossuth and Mishicot became known
not only in Wisconsin but also in the
neighboring states. The superintend-
ent had letters from number of
persons from other states inquring
into this kind of work and how il was
carried out The success Of this work
depends almost entirely upon the
teacher. The teachers of Meeme,
Kossuth and Mishicot worked toward a
successful fair. Not single teacher
Of these three towns failed to do his or
her share This is strong testimonial
in favor OF any teacher.
The work Of planting and caring for
the garden will have to be done this
spring. Next summer at our teachers
institute the teachers can get together
and make arrangements for the fair.
Last year about twenty-five schools
took part in fair, either district or
town. This year there ought to be
fifty schools taking up this work.