The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-21
THE COUNTRY BOY
AND HIS CHANCES
His Place in Schools of Country,
Especially Agricultural
Schools.
VIEW OF FARM DEMoNSTRAToR
Some Thoughts That May Be
Worth While, and They May
Be Otherwise.
BY j. C. HUNTER,
Farm Demonstration Agent.

rnrm Demonstration Agent.
At this time when the schools have
just opened, 1t would be appropriate
to continue the subject touched upon
last week by L. .. Sandy, when he
SAID: The country boy of to-day is
getting one-sdcd education" and he
wonders why agriculture is not taught
as study in the country schools our
lawmakers seem to have intended that
II should be. because eighteen months
ago. at meeting in Fairfax County
oil all the county school teachers, some
Oh the trustees and many OF the school
patrons. The writer, in tho course Of
remarks said: 1T Is a wonder that
N county where 20 per cent of the
population depend entirely, and 80 per
cent directly and indirectly, on agri-
culture. that a subject SO important to
us All ls not taught in our county
schools" Our county superintendent
or schools at once interrupted to cor
rect this. and stated that agriculture
Is taught in all tho schools In the
county and throughout the State, and
that the textbooks arc in every school.
we are compelled by law TO do this"
he said. 1t is needless to comment on
this. OF course. We all know very well
that no pupil of county school knows
anything worth mentioning of higher
agriculture. except what he has learned
at home on the farm. Moreover even
In the country l do not think 1t would
be wise. and II might be waste Of
valuable time to force a bright boy
who may have ability and inclinations
In other directions, to pursue study
that VIII be of no value TO him after
wards l would not advise every boy
TO stay on the farm.
would not send one person to the
land who does not by instinct belong
there. and would drop suggestion
In the minds OF those who are older,
and think they might make successful
cultivators OF the soil. AT the same
time l think clearer knowledge OF
conditions In the city should be given
the country boy. \ boy living far
from town or city who seldom or
never goes there has no conception
OF what city lie and city work means.
He is often deceived by young men.
older than himself, who come home oc-
casionally FOR a day or two. !iashly
dressed in new suits with cheap
jewelry and much talk OF the life in
the city. till the boys head is turned.
and he becomes dissatisfied with coun-
try life. lie secs the autocrap OF the
electric car, the conductor and motor
man with uniform and brass buttons,
ana THINKS TO hold such an exalted po-
sition would be the very height or his
ambition. The fascination or the rail .
roads also takes AWAY many fine lads
from the farm. &c they could only be
made 10 understand that those posi-
lions mean long hours with eNacting
work much responsibility and compar-
atiNcly poor pay with little promise OF
promotion. they might he more willing
TO stay On the fnrm. % compare JOBS
on the street cars or railroads, store
clerks. or any other cheap positions, an
unframed country boy might fill, with
the wholesome. happy life on the farm,
is to say the least, unfair and mislead-
ing to the boy.
The country boy sees only the ro-
nance and the bright side Of the city
lie. He cannot Judge or know OF the
artifcial!ty and stinting economy that
has TO be continually practiced by
many in the cities. Nor can country
boy comprehend the element OF servi-
tude 10 superors too often connected
with many OF these coveted positions
until too late. He is quito familiar,
however. and has undergone all of the
so-called drudgery and hardships OF
the farm life. therefore there is little
wonder that many or our finest boys
and young men. who mean so much
and could do so much for their homes
and families. are literally lost to them
in this way.
The question of how TO hold young
men of progressive Ideas on the farm
has long been one OF our most serious
problems. and the inability TO solve 1t
has been one OF the causes of the de-
terioration of our lands. The matter
has been reactive: ambitious boys left
and the farm has promised less be-
cause ambitious boys have left it. The
final consequence in many cases, has
been that both boy and farm have
some to naught.
DR. Knapp's idea was that IL young
men can be made to see that farming
is q scientific study interesting as
any other branch of progressive knowl-
edge, and that 1t can be robbed OF its
old-time drudgery and hardships, that
tl,n, vnt,
successful boys can expect for many
years in competitive city employments,
and that an easy income in early life
will soon 1T them for future influence
and power the problem will be solved,
and the result of his work, through the
demonstration agent with the boys.
proves the truth of his conclusions.
And the times arc changinE-the city
bred youth no longer looks down upon
and sneers at the farm lad, but envies
his freedom. his horse, dogs and guns,
his care-free spirit and license to go
and do as he pleases with no restric-
tons AS to where he goes or how
much noise he makes That Is the
care free side of 1t without the stern
realities considered at all But the
trained country boy Is far moro of n
philosopher One who has had oppor-
ttnitics and stayed with his city cousin
has drawn comparisons that are some
what diverse He sees and enjoys the
glamour of the city, the theatre. the
moving picture show, the comfortable.
we'll appointed houses. and the good
things always to be obtained for
money And he does not fail to notice
the difference between his own life
with its freedom and abundance OF
wholesome food and that of the city
with its restrictions and needed
economies.
The farm boy must know more to-
day than even few years ago. He
Will have to compete with those who
arc trained. and are not going to till
the land as their fathers did Econo-
my of labor, fewer acres worked on q
more intensive plan with improved