The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-05-01
Class Play, Opera House, Sat, May )
COUN SCHOOLS
AND THE FARM
What the BOYS and Gir.S are
Taught Therin

Advocating that the boys and
girls stay on the farm, and at the
same time teaching city subjects in
the rural schools, is contradictory.
If the boys and girls are taught n
thing they cannot be expected to
want to dc something else, even if
they are advised to. A few years
age the question was asked the boys
and girls in thirty-iour schools in
Wright County, Iowa-"What do
you want to do?" Of the 1874 boys,
Isl wanted to leave the farm and
1853 of the TIA girls wanted to do
likewise. After Agriculture and
home economics had been taught
for three years the same question
was asked in the same schools. This
time 1872 of the ia boys and 161 of
the l78 girls to whom the question
was submitted wanted to stay on
the farm. This changing an almost
unanimous desire to leave the farm
to an almost unanimous desire to
stay on the farm seems miraculous;
yet 1t was done thrt ugh making a
little change in the course of study
1t is simple, however, for boys and
girls will want to do things that
they have been taught how to do.
Their interest will be developed in
the things they are taught. They
will see more in them than in things
they know less about. Again agri-
culture and home economics are the
things that boys and girls are most
interested in to begin with. Thew
live in an agricultural and home
economics laboratory. The knowl-
edge that they have when they come
to school is on these two subjects
So that education to be the most
effective must begin with what the
children know, and not as Professor
Minard says-"Take them from
where they aren't to where they
don't want to CO." That is what
makes the school irksome. that
causes the boys, especially, to want
to leave schools. The way to keep
the boys on the farm is to teach
about things they have to deal with
If it IS desired to have them leave
the farm, then keep agriculture and
home economies out of the course of
study.
The will to do springs from the
knowledge that can do. One
likes to do what one can do well.
Doing work that one doesn't under
stand is drudgery. Most BOYS
must enter productive work. If
they are not educa ted for it then it
will be drudgery. Most girls will
manage homes Ii they are not
taught for 1T. home making will be
drudgery. So it is in the power of
the school to make either enthusias.
tic workers or drudges Of the boys
and girls.
What are the schools of our state
doing to teach the boys and girls the
principles of agriculture so that they
will know what to do and understand
why they are doing it. Are the
teachers of our schools prepared to
give the pupils ins truction in agri-
culture? Our attention has recently
been called to the Campbell Cores
pondence Course in Soil Culture.
This course is not only adapted to
the needs of the farmer, but to the
needs of the teacher who can not
take the time to 60 to an agricultural
college.
Every man who is interested in
better farming and especially every
teacher in the country schools should
send for a catalogue of this school
and if possible take the course.
Write to the Campbell Correspond
ence School. Lincoln. Nebraska, and
ask them for a free catalogue. .
No Need M "Eddor;aI We,