Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-05-22
MODERN EDUCATIONAL PLACE
Vernon GrI Writes of Neighboring
Industrial Institution


EDITOR CENSOR Being a student at
the College of Agriculture and Domest c
Science of La Crosse county, thought
perhaps it might be of interest to the
people of Vernon TO know something of
this institution. feel that the school
is not as well known in our county as
it should be, as very few students are
here from that section. tits splendid
institution, employing eight teachers.
The present principal, Prof. F. E. Bal
meris. il one whose whole mind is
conferred on his profession. He is an
unwearied worker and is doing every
thing in his power to make the college
success. The purpose of the school
is to educate young men and women
from the farm in such way that they
can, on returning to their homes make
farm life more attractive, produce bet
ter crops, ETC., but a great many are
not contented todos simply this. One of
the graduates of last year teaches man.
ual training in the Caledonia high school;
one of the girls teachers invalid cook
ing at a La Crosse hospital; others are
doing farm work along experimental
lines; some of the girls are working at
dressmaking and millinery. So you see
the work does not stop at the farm.
Already this year there have been
calls from different states for young
men and women to 20 out and teach
domestic science and manual training in
the consolidated schools with splendid
salaries. A number0f the boys who
will graduate this coming June will
leave for California shortly after grad
uating to take positi>ls on large fruit
farms. The training given here is of
practical nature and every bit of it can
be applied to ones life work. One
thing that the boys learn here is the
Identification of all kinds of weed seeds.
This is something that has already been
of great use to someAof the farmers,
who, if they do not recognize quack,
Russian thistle and a great many of
those seeds, are liable to seed their
farms with something that it will take
them years to eradicate, besides les
SEEMING the value of their farms if they
are not eradicated. The domestic science
department is splendidly equipped
Throughout and in charge of very eff
fic.snt teachers. Here the girls
are taught to draft, their own pat
terms, cut and fit their own dresses and
also to plan them. In millinery they
are taught to select braids, make their
n
very pretty hats are turned out. In
cooking they are taught selection Of
different foods and also cookery for sick
people as well as well ones. Athletics
are encouraged, for without a strong
body we can not do good work. Some
| fine games of basket ball were played
the past year. The finest green house
belonging to any school is found in con-
nection with ours. Here the boys and
girls have an opportunity TO study plant
life at its best. A well equipped car
penter shop, in which both boys and
| girls take training, and a blacksmith
shop for the boys is also found here. A
large modern barn, costing between
81, 900 and S., 900. was built last fall and
/ the Senior class of boys will put in the
/ concrete floor. thus getting practical
i work III concrete construction. Besides
| this they also get practice in making
concrete posts, silos, etc. Last week
1.-THE Seniors worked on a farm seven
miles from here laying tile to drain a
20-acre swamp, thereby getting more
practical work. .s.,4es
A great deal of stress is also laid
upon the selection of seed for planting
and treatment for plant diseases, such
as smut, rust, blight, etc. Musical or
CARNATIONS are not neglected either, the
school having at the present time four
quartets, an orchestra and two glee
clubs, all in charge of splendid in
structor. &isM
i The course Of the college consists of
two years of 8months each. Credits
will be given US at the La Crosse nor
NAL now and 1t is expected before long
that we will also get them at the state
university.
Hope that Imay have Interested some
of you in the work that is being done
here and that Vernon county will send
some of her young men and women
next year. know they will not make
a mistake by doing so. This no place
for idleTs or curiosity seekers, as work.
ers are wanted and there are no curio-
sites to be seen about the premises.
Hoping that you may be interested
enough to come up and see the school
for yourself and induce other to come.
| am. Yours respectfully,
FLORENCE ROOD.
Onalaska, Wis, May IL, 1912.
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