The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-03-19
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN.
BY Mabel Horner, County Supt.
Boys and Girls Clubs.

ANOH 10 tu0 IlIlc ~ push IAC WI n
in the organization of Boys and
Girls Clubs. Some counties in the
state number club members by the
hundreds. Let US remind them that
Decatur county is on the map, and
see that they earn the laurels they
carry off in this work. Aside from
the splendid educational opportun-
tiles the work offers in itself, the
prizes to be won are very val
liable. The successful contestant in
the Corn Acre Contest in the con-
gressional district and in the state
will receive scholarships in agricul-
tural colleges. The successful con-
testant in the county both in the
: Corn Acre and the Canning Club
work will have the privilege of at
tending the Junior Winter Short
Course at Ames, with expenses paid.
Other premiums will be offered to
the township and local clubs that do
the best work in the agricultural and
the home economics clubs.
Teachers who will become leaders
of local or township organizations,
will receive from to 25 credits on
the professional work required for
the renewal Vt certificates. Teach
ers who feel that attendance at sum-
mer school may interfere with their
assuming leadership, may receive
credit by organizing clubs and secur-
ing leaders for the same.
The club work for boys and girls
is not confined to rural districts.
The sewing, cooking, canning and
sometimes the poultry and garden
club work is equally adapted to
town communities.
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A number of our rural teachers
are testing seed corn in their schools
for the farmers in their respective
districts. Doubtless others would un-
dertake this project if the patrons of
the schools were disposed toward CO.
operation. In most schools where
the work is being done, the Rag
Doll' test is used. However some
prefer the saWdust box.
Circulars describing different
methods of testing supplied by the
Crop Improvement Committee of
the Grain Exchange, have been dis
tributed among the teachers. Today
we are in receipt of seed corn bull
letin prepared by p G. Holden, for
merly of the Iowa State College, at
Ames. This bulletin is furnished by
the International Harvester Co. to
all who desire it at three cents per
copy. 1t is freely illustrated and on
the whole is the most complete bull
letin we have seen on this subject.
The following article from the Wat
erloo Reporter, emphasizes the ne
cessity of testing seed corn this year:
With the coming of March, spring
and seed time are not far distant.
It will soon be time to plant the
grain, and upon the care and e1hcl-
ency of the seed depends in large
measure the result of the harvest.
Last year, the farmers Of Iowa turned
almost failure into success by heed
ing the advice of testing their seed
before planting. 1t should not be
neglected this year, and now is the
time to get started before the actual
time for beginning the spring work
out in the field A campaign by
newspapers, railroads, and agricul-
tural colleges and departments
should not be necessary, but we all
are liable to become careless and
take things for granted if they look
all right on the surface, SO the an
nual reminder at this time OF the
year is not out of place.
In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma
and Missouri, the Rock Island is con-
Quoting systematic campaign to as
sure the planting of safe seed in
1914. Investigation by experts dis
closed that the condition of all farm
seed was bad, due to last years
drought. 1t extends to the remotest
rural districts.
One result is that in every rural
school of Kansas, the pupils are test
ing either corn, kafir or milo seed, IN
accordance with official instructions
sent out by Prof. w. D. Ross, state
superintendent of schools of Kan
sas Through the children practical
ly every farm in Kansas is being
reached. A similar plan was follow
ed in Oklahoma.
Another line of influence that is
being felt by the farmers comes
through the bankers. The State
Bankers Association is cooperating
in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma in
reminding the farmer that if he fails
to test every seed planted he will
suffer great loss when he comes to
harvest his crops next fall.
On every hand in the states nam
ed one sees what, at first glance, ap-
pears to be a quarantine notice. in
glaring scarlet headlines, Warn
ing" that the condition of farm seeds
is bad, and urging an immediate
search for good.-Waterloo Report
er.
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We are in receipt of the premium
list of the Educational Department
OF the Iowa State Fair, 1914. Copies
of this list will be sent to all teach
ers in the county soon. E. G. Bishop
superintendent of the Boys and
Girls Clubs in the state, is also at
the head of this department. Fol-
lowing is his letter to Iowa teachers,
on the subject of exhibits at the
Fair:
To Iowa Teachers:
The five successive annual exhibits
of the Iowa public schools at the
Iowa State Fair and Exposition of
our great state fair as permanent
cooperative force working with the
public schools as an agency for the
encouragement of the best things