The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1913-07-17
EDUCATIONAL.
(BY c. w. MEIsNEsT.)
WHERE THE SCHOOL FAILS.
Continued from last week.

our schools we're not fulfilling their
mission. A great step was made few
years ago toward solving the problem
where nature study was taught in the
normal schools, and school gardens
were instituted at various rural schools.
The teachers were supposed to have a
knowledge of the essential features of
plant growth, the conservation of soil
moisture, ETC., which was demonstrat-
ed to the pupils by them in the gar
dens. The schools thus favored had
plots of ground upon which the chill
dren grew different grains, roots and
flowers. Professor +. b. McCready Of
the Ontario Agricultural College Staff
promoted the idea and was lately
placed in charge of the work These
gardens, no doubt, are step in the
right direction, although their scope is
necessarily, very limited.
During the last year or two new
scheme has been developed which
promises still greater things. The On
tario department Of agriculture plans
to place in each county, man to exam
inc and develop agriculture in all pos
sible ways. Over thirty such men have
been placed up to date. Mr.. c. f. Bar
ley of Toronto, assistant deputy min
ister OF agriculture, has supervision Of
this particular phase of our provincial
agricultural work, and is strengthening
all the branches.
These men, with their other duties,
have taken up a certain line of rural
school work hitherto overlooked.
Every child is encouraged and assisted
to grow hetter crops upon the home
farm. To stimulate lively interest in
the work school fair is held in
central school and prizes are given for
the best exhibits as in u regular agri-
cultural fair.
The counties are divided into dis
tricts, each district containing eight or
nine schools. These are visited early
in the spring and the work is explained
thoroughly, both to the pupils and to
the teachers. In each school commit
tee OF three is elected by the pupils to
have general supervision of the work.
The child receiving the highest num-
ber of votes is declared chairman.
The eightpupils-the chairman of each
school-thus appointed constitute the
fair board and elect from among them
selves president, vice-president, sec
retary and treasurer. The others be-
come directors. This procedure is fol-
lowed, partly to teach business organi-
zation to the children, and partly to
create deep and personal interest in
the work. Very many OF the details of
the management are left to their judg-
ment and they practically decide the
classes upon which prizes will be Civ
en-.
In every case the cooperation OF the
teachers is sought. And be it said in
our work we have received their
hearty support. We find that they
take keen interest in the welfare of
the young minds entrusted TO their
care and are usually awaiting the op-
portunity to assist them in every way.
Each representative has practically a
free hand in the work and makes ar
rangements for those crops to be
grown which are best adapted to his
particular territory. In our counties
(the united counties of Durham and
Northumberland, about fifty miles east
Of Toronto) we studied the particular
requirements Of this district. AT the
first visit we submitted list of crops
from which the pupils might choose
anyone. About three weeks later the
seed was taken to them. To each
school five dozen pure-bred barred rock
eggs were given. The teacher chose
the five pupils to receive these. The
others received any one OF the follow
ing: Potatoes, Empire state; field
corn, Wisconsin No. I, dent; sweet
corn, Golden Bantom; barley, O. A. G.
No. u; oats, Banner, and sweet peas.
These were to be grown in plots rang
ing from Is fl. by fl. to Is IT. by 20 IT..
in area. In every case the difference
in the yield OF the various varieties of
the same crop was explained when the
seeds we're distributed. A couple OF
days later folders were sent each pupil
explaining few simple rules to the
best ways TO plant and cultivate their
plots. In each OF these classes prizes
were offered for the greatest yield and
the finest quality, for the best care
given the plots and for the finest ex-
hibits OF chickens.
In our case follow-up system is en-
ployed. From time TO time we send
typewriter matter TO the teacher ex.
| planning in simple language few OF
the elementary principles Of plant and
insect structure, methods OF feeding
and growth, conservation OF soil mois-
ture, feeding and rearing OF chickens,
the action OF bacteria, etc. The teach.
or explains this to the children in an
easy style. When his other duties per.
init, the representative visits the
schools, gives little lessons in agricul.
ture and questions the children as tC
their progress. 1t is planned at lat
err date to lead up TO more compre
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