American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1914-05-02
state School Superintendent
Follows Lehi's Lead

Follows Lehi's Lead
several months ago the Lehi school
board decided that In order 10 make
more chcacious the lessons of agri-
cu''uiS being taught in the public
SCHOOLS, IT would supplement the work
10y hiring two instructors to supervise
'he work of the boys in the fields
curing the summer. Accordingly
Professors Bennion and Banks we're
hired to devote one-half of their sum-
ner months to the work. The profess
sors services will also be at the COM
lhand OF the farmers generally, who
desire to obtain their views and ad-
vice Mr. Banks efforts will be large
~ with the boys clubs, while Mr..
behhion viii he more In the fields.
state Superintendent Matheson, ev,
IDENTIFY getting his inspiration from
the Lehi schools. has issued general
circular to all the school boards of
the state. His article gives such a
thorough support TO the Lehi boards
action that we print his article In
full It follows:
To the Public School Boards of Utah.
IN Agricultural Districts:
For number of years agriculture
mas been taught both In the common
schools and In the high schools of
the state. Experience has demon
strated that agriculture is a subject
which cannot be taught effectively by
lemploying only the long established
methods of the school room. The
study of text book. work In the
laboratory, and recitation in the class
room are all valuable aids I'm acquir-
ing a knowledge of this subject. but
these alone do not give q young man
a full or fair opportunity to learn we'll
this important science. In addition
he must participate intelligently In
the work on the farm.
There is considerable discussion
these days about educational read
justmcnt and vocational training.
here is widespread conviction that
the school would do well to make
some of its work little more con-
crete and practical We feel sure
that this result can be secured In
agriculture and that school boards
have II largely within their power to
bring out this desired result. In the
rural districts of our state by far the
largest part of vocational education
must necessarily mean education In
the science of farm life To be the
direct means of improving this Inn
portant part of school work would be
q distinct credit to our school boards.
Should BE Practical.
4. The boy who studies agriculture
should be given an opportunity, un-
der skillful direction and supervision.
to put the theories and information
which he acquires In the school room
into practice on the farm The teach
or or supervisor should be with the
boy on the farm I'm summer as well
as with him In the school room In
winter. The boy would thus pass
through a thorough going educational
process In his study of agriculture.
He would be doing productive 'fesl'
which would also stimulate his inter
est in school work and add TO his
determination to succeed therein To
bring about such an opportunity.
respectfully recommend to school
boards, at least In high school dis
tricts where the finances will permit
that they engage the services of theiI
teachers of agriculture for the calen'
dar year, instead of for the schoo
year. |. O., for twelve months instead
of for nine months of the year, Dur
ing the summer months the boards
should have this teacher supervise
the farm work OF all school boys with
In the district, take charge of agri
lculture club work, and with the boy
" ork out the projects and problemI
OF the farm. Due care should b.
exercised In the selection of thu
teacher. He should, II possible. be
man whose knowledge OF agriculture
science has come from actual PARTED
patton In farm life, and from com
prehensive course of instruction II
one of our best agricultural colleges
He should, moreover. be In entr,
sympathy with all meritorious schoo
work and see clearly the Relationship
o. his work to all OF the activities o
the school. Such a man would co
operate readily and happily with par
cuts and would give valuable guild
ence and demonstrations to the boys
Furthermore, his instructions coul'
not fail to be, AT least incidentally
beneficial to the fathers OF the boys
VIII Help Entire State.
The schools. | am sure, can be yer,
effective agencies In bringing abou
improved agriculture throughout on
state. The countries whose school
have taught most effectively and mos
generally the subject OF agriculture
have given ample proof of the truth
fulness of this assertion Denmark
for example. is only about one-eigh
teenth the size of Texas; II has nearl
three millions Of people; over 60 pc
cent OF its population Is rural. Largel
through intensive cultivation OF tn
soil and the establishment and sue
cessrul operation Of cooperative en-
terprises, this vast population is suS
tanned In comfort on this small tra6