The Harrison times., 1915-11-06


may decide later TO undertake the
course. 1t Is hoped that several hun
dred teachers and others interested in
work fer :he boys and girls Will take
this COURSE. II. Miller Director Co.
operative Extension Work.
!. Educational Value of Club Study
Education has been defined as that
training which fits for the duties Of
life" II this is true definition of
education, and we certainly believe 1t
is, and if it can be shown that the
club work in any way fits the boys
and girls for their duties in life, then
1t must be conceded that there is an
educational value in the club work.
Corn Club boys are instructed per-
sonally and through bulletins and let
ters in the matter Of % Selecting
their acre Tor demonstration. (2) the
value and importance of sowing a win
ter cover crop on this acre, (3) the
proper methods and value of prepar
ing seed beds, (4) the selection, stor-
ing and testing of seed corn, 60 the
proper methods of planting and culti'
vation, CO. the keeping OF daily ex.
pense account of all work performed
on his acre, (7) the submitting of this
record at the end of the year, (S) and
finally is asked to make an exhibit OF
his products at the fairs.
In the study and practice Of the
above instructions the boy is the prin.
cipal actor, and his stage of action is
his acre of corn. His acre of corn
may be likened to his laboratory and
the daily practice Of application OF the
principles taught him, are the expert,
fact that during the last two years
the Corn Club boys have made an
average yield of over forty bushels
per acre as compared with an average
of less than twenty for the whole state
is proof positive that the principles
taught were not only safe and sound,
but that they found daily application
through the boy on his acre Of corn
laboratory. In the performance of all
these activities or duties the boy is
caused to think, plan and reason from
year to year as he makes different
tests on different soils or in different
laboratories. All OF this will give a
training which will fit him for his du-
ties in life because he has learned "to
do by doing" He has used mother
earth as his laboratory, has learned
her principles, and has applied them.
What has been said OF the Corn
Club boy is also true OF the Pig Club
boy. In fact the Pig Club member is
usually Corn Club member too. The
Pig Club boy has for his laboratory
the pig, and the tests that he makes
are his daily care and the feeding OF
his pig. He learns, as one pig club
member said in reply to a question rs
TO what he had learned that would
help him next year, that clear water
to drink, good pasture the year round,
plenty OF shade and a little corn
makes good cheap hogs, and further
that these things are mighty good 70
keep off cholera" He learns what
balanced ration is and the value there.
of, He plans his crop to meet these
needs. Doubtless he wonders if his
body too does not call for a balanced
food. Dealing with animals usually
makes one kind and sympathetic. His
efficiency as producer Of wealth Is
increased as result Of the applica
lion OF the proper methods OF feeding
and caring for his pig He, too, has
learned ito do by doing"
The Canning and Poultry Clubs Of
fer at once a profitable and pleasure.
BILE livelihood for girls. The Canning
Club girl lns for her laboratory her
one-tenth acre. She is taught how to
plan this garden, how to prepare the
hot beds, the birth place Of the little
plants, how to feed and care for tho
little plants until they are old enough
to put into the field, how to cultivate
the plants on up to maturity, how 10
fight the common diseases and In.
sects, and finally how to can and pre-.
serve the products Of her garden In
all of this work from the beginning
of the sowing of the seed up to har.
vesting and canning of the products
the girl has been the chief operator;
her hands have been busy day after
day hoeing, pruning, harvesting and
canning. This work is done In the
open; she therefore develops a sound
body; she enjoys her work because II
is hers; her hands have done the
work; her interest Is in her garden
and her aim 10 to produce a product Of
high quality