Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-21

100 In the latter. The mechanic arts
course was offered in Is high schools
and in three academies with 36S and 1O4
students respectively. Household arts
had stronger following, being repre-
scented in IS high schools and five acad-
emies with 463 and 10 pupils respect
lively.
There is healthy and increasing in
terest in the course in agriculture in
the schools where it has been in opera
ton. The work is becoming more
practical and more closely related to
local interests. During the past year
the boys in one school made 200 pounds
Of butter at a churning at a local
creamery. At another school the class
in orcharding packed 100 barrels of
apples. At another they built their
own sorting tables, packing boxes and
did some practical work in packing.
Another group have done extensive
milk testing for neighboring farmers.
A friendly contest over the relation of
feeds and milk production between a
boy and his grandfather is reported in
which the boy with the same COW was
the winner by 80 per cent. Many of the
courses are directly related to the
boys and girls clubs, directed by the
University Of Maine extension work.
In practically every case where the
undertaking has the confidence and
support Of the community and suffici-
ent money is invested to produce IA
vorable conditions a good degree of
progress has been made.
The course in mechanic arts is in
some respects more highly specialized
course particularly if it undertakes to
give a boy the elements Of a trade. A
measure of general training in manual
arts may be properly offered in any
school and should always be a part of
the course in agriculture, but work of
this nature when carried on through
| the four years may lead to more defin-
ite preparation for a vocation.
Hence its introduction will he con-
ditioned largely upon the local demands
mands for special industrial raining. 1t
is interesting to note that several
schools have made such an extension of
mechanic arts work with good results.
Westbrook has maintained for several
years special industrial course which
is closely correlated to the local paper
and cotton industries. Bangor, Portland,
Bath and several other towns are MAX
ing provision to train young men in
line with the demands of important in
dustrial activities. Employers are
looking with increasing favor upon the
product of such schools and are lending
their aid in many important directions.
The household arts course has made a
larger growth both in number and in
enrolment than have either Of the
other two. The practical nature and
wholesome influence Of this course are
commanding themselves to both stu
dents and parents. They are primarily
home making courses and as such have
tendency is strong to eliminate frills
F., and fads and teach the essentials of
making and keeping a modern home.
The essential difference between the
practical arts course Of the high school
and similar courses given in the grades
lies in the adoption Of subject matter
to the age Of the pupils. In the high
school the work is given a broader
scope. approached more scientifically
and taught with the thought that the
student will within a short time make
some actual application Of what he has
learned in connection with his life
work