The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-04-11
AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.
For Boys and Girls Advocated by
State Department OF Education.


State Supt. of Schools Payson
Smith is sending out circulars de-
scribing the proposed work for Boys
aud Girls agricultural clubs, which
are being advocated by him for the
rural schools. The circular tells
what the clubs are, where they have
succeeded, who will help what work
may be undertaken. and the nature of
the exhibitions and contests to be
held by the clubs. The circular is
in part as follows:
Boys and Girls agricultural clubs
are organizations of young people, es-
pccially of country schools, who agree
I to study together about agriculture
and domestic arts, make gardens for
home and school, and try experiments
for the Improvement o. the crops they
grow.
Nearly all the great agricultural
states of the middle West have had
successful experience with Boys and
Girls agricultural clubs. In some
states many thousands of young peo-
pie belong to them. In New England
they have already gained recognition.
Maine has made beginning with sew
eral important clubs. These Maine
clubs have held exhibitions to show
the result of their work.
THE superintendent Of schools of
each town will be glad to attend a
meeting to help in the work of or
ganizing. He will advise about school
and home gardens and will help plan
an exhibition of results. The teacher
of the school will be glad to be a
! learner with the members while she
| leads in making plans for the work.
The local Grange will probably CO.
operate by giving place on its pro-
gram to a discussion of plans; it will
usually assist by providing a place
for holding an exhibition. The State
lecturer of the Grange, B. Walker
McKeen, Fryeburg, will advise freely
any clubs in their work.
1.-The instructors in agriculture of
the High schools and academies will
respond by letter and, when possible
in person for the purpose of giving
instruction or assistance. Such in
structor may be addressed at: Show
hogan High school, Wells High school,
East Maine Conference Seminary,
Bucksport, Fryeburg Academy, Lea
witt Institute, Turner Center, Maine
Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill, Par
sonfield Seminary, Madawaska Train
ing school, Fort Kent. The College
Agricultural of the University of
Maine will answer any inquiries sent
there. The United States depart
ment of agriculture will send, free OF
cost, valuable pamphlets that will in
struct the members on any phase of
work that they may undertake.
Not all clubs will do the same
things. Some will have corn growing
contests. Others will be interested
In potato culture. Some will leave to
each member his own choice. Some
will work through home and others
through school gardens All will take
up study of things relatives to agri-
culture. The girls will make a study
of things relatives to home making.
"A school or town or group of
towns through their clubs will hold
exhibitions to show what they are do
ing. They will display the fruit and
vegetables they have grown, the
bread, cake and sewing that they have
perfected Certificates should be
awarded to all who do well. lndi-
vidual prizes of money are not best.
The. work we'll done will bring ade-
quate returns Awards to a club col
lectively will supplement the indi-
yidual certificate and promote good
team work" and community interest.
Each club will formulate It's own
plans and rules. When several clubs
or groups of towns form in contests
a committee appointed for the pur-
pose will make the rules.
The School Improvement League
of Maine is an organization whose
special aim Is the betterment of the
country school. The agricultural club
is directly related to the work and
plans of the League. If a school al
ready has a League the agricultural
contests may be carried on as an ad-
junct. 1t would be better to do this
than to increase the number of or
CARNATIONS. If school has no
League the club work may be under
taken independently or, better still, a
league may be formed and the club
work included as a part of its pur-
pose"
NJ %