University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1912-12-05
TO KEEP FARM BOYS AT HOME
Rural Play Grounds Would Do Much Toward
Solving Vexing Problem, O. F.
Field Believes

"A big Fourth of July celebration
and carnival was being held in a
small town in Northern Michigan
Such an event had always brought
great crowds, especially country peo-
pie But four miles away was a camp
of Y. NJ. C. A. boys from 12 to 1S years
old
They were holding an amateur ath-
letic meet that day, having swimming
and boat races, tent-pitching contests.
games. track work and a minstrel
show and circus of their own make.
1t was an all-day event. More than
five hundred farmers, with their fam
lilies, brought basket dinners and
spent the day, not at the carnival in
/ the town, but in watching the play
of these boys. The big celebration
and carnival" was almost deserted.
And yet people have said that there
is no interest in athletics in the coun-
try, or in towns too small to have
gymnasiums.
What Physical Tests Show.
The interest in athletics is there,
according to o. F. Field, instructor
| in athletics at the University. In ex-
amining boys for gymnasium work he
has found that those who have always
/ lived in the country are more uneven
ly developed than boys reared in ci-
| ties. This can be seen. he says, in
any gymnasium class where there are
boys from both localities. The differ
ence is due to the fact that the city
boy has usually had more all-round
development in regularly equipped
gymnasiums. while the country boy
by working has over-developed some
muscles and left others unused.
Rural Fairgrounds for recreation
and healthful athletic sports are part
of the big movement to keep young
people in the country, instead of al
lowing them to drift to the CITY," said
Mr.. Field. "Such play is one of the
most effective means that can be used
to make life on the farm so attractive
to the young people that they will
want to stay there. and stop wonder
ing how soon they can get away"
"ShOrthorns" in Gym Class
A gymnasium class has been organ-
lied among the students in the agri-
culture short course in the Univer-
sity Great interest has been mani
tested. according to Mr.. Field, and
several of the students have been
making inquiries as to why some pro-
vision for athletics could not be made
in country communities. They realize
the fact that work on the farm, while
developing muscle is not an even de-
velopment, and that they need a more
general physical training.
"A great many people seem to think
that play or athletics in any form is
not necessary in the country" said
Mr.. Field. "The prevalent opinion
seems to be that the country boy or
man gets all the exercise necessary
in his work. and that recreation in
athletic games and sports is waste
of time. Those who have studied the
problems of country life, as well as
those who have experience in exam
lining country boys for gymnasium
work, know that this notion is all
wrong.
Those who do physical labor do
need exercise. but of very different
kind from those who spend their days
at a desk or behind counter. The
function of play is not only to rest
the portion of the body used in ones
daily vocation, but to develop and
keep from becoming weakened.
through disuse, those portions which
are neglected in the work of the day.
Playground Idea Spreading.
Ever since the idea has been firm
ly established that a certain amount
of play or recreation is absolutely
for the best health, people have been
trying to find out just how much or
how little play is necessary, and what
is best. Fairgrounds were first
placed in the city schools because the
need for them was so plain that every
one realized it. The ideas has only
rocoDtIv hoon ovtopdinp IN email
towns and country communities, but
it is being taken up more and more
lately