The Springdale news., 1915-10-15
Educational Value of Club Study

l. Educational Value of Club Study
 Education has been defined as that training which fits for the duties of lie. If 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 (D Selecting their acre Tor demonstration. CD 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, (5) the proper methods of planting and culti- vation, f6l the keeping of daily ex- pense account of all work performed on his acre, f7) 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 Hkened 10 his laboratory and the daily practice of application of the principles taught him, are the experi- ments or tests that he makes, and the 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 training which will fit him for his du. ties in life because he has learned ito do by doing" He has used mother | earth as his laboratory. has learned her principles, and hSs 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 a 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 as 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 to keep off cholera" He learns what a 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 balanced food. Dealing with animals usually makes one kind and sympathetic. His efficiency as a producer of wealth is increased as a result of the applica- .ion 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 pleasura- ble livelihood for girls The Canning Club girl has for her laboratory her onezenth 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 the little plants until they are old enough to put into the field, how to cultivate the plants on up to maturity, how to 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- vestng 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 it is hers; her hands have done the work her interest is in her garden. and her aim is to produce a product of high quality and thus maintain the Four H brand standard.