Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-03
Elmer A. Brown Reports Inter.
est Running High; Proposes
Further Developments -.

Puunene, Maui, T. H., Feb. "a. 1917:
Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Dear Sir: We are still able TO re-
port continued growth of interest in
the Star-BuIlettn Farm Contest At
this time cur records show l33 pupils
trying for IA Star-Bulletin prize, los
of whom are proceeding under our
school contract system. Besides this
number, We have &c boys enrolled in
cur regular agricultural classes and
these are trying to win the first prize
tor the Puunene school. In other vo-
cational work, 80 boys are learning
the underlying principles of animal
care by doing much of the work OF
tending our rabbits and chickens.
Tbirty-eight more are gaining some in
/. ght into carpentry In our shop
classes. All OF this work Is in direct
charge OF AIR. Louis Camara, a grad
uate Of the Honolulu Normal school
with the class OF 1916.
Some of the work OF the regular
school garden boys will be observed
in the pictures that | am enclosing.
One picture represents lesson In
washing produce and putting 1t in at.
tractive packages for market An
other view shows the boys in readi-
ness to start to sell the lastly pre-
pared produce I am sending you also
two views Of our home garden under
our rental system You will note
the activity of both girls and boys
Some large stones that have been,
removed with great difficulty are TO
be seen. Still another picture shows
our Experimental School Garden as
II appeared on the 18th inst. This
garden was planted between Decem-
Der 20 and January 5, last, and has
produced q crop Of radishes which
sold at the rate of s6S3.55 per acre.
We are now harvesting a crop OF let
tnce which promises to prove equally
profitable. The part that produced
radishes has been replanted to let
tuce
From our experience. il would seem
that living out of tin cans" is entire.
~ unexcusable In Hawaii. A garden
80 n. by 20 ft can easily be made to
produce enough wholesome vegetables
20 supply the table Of q latge family.
Most OF the labor required for such q
garden can be performed by child
six years of age and the labor ex.
pended would be character building
exercise developing both body and
mind 70 high degree.
Why. then, do we appear so neg
ligent in this particular? would ans.
wer that we are the servants of
HABIT. We have formed the habit
OF depending on one industry. This
dependence on the cane fields has
blinded us 10 the vegetable garden.
Our blindness can be cured only by
education. II was formerly the
HABIT Of the boy who took corn to
the mill to place bag, containing
corn In one end and a stone in the
sthcr. for balance, across the back Of
his horse, II took years OF EDUCA-
TON 20 break up this foolish HABIT
end make him understand that he
might just as well have corn In both
ends Of the bag. But this is the age
OF rapid learning. Corn is brought
TO the mill in train loads instead of In
bagfuls borne ON the back OF horse
Why not have school adapted to
the needs OF the age and the locality?
Suppose that 200 boys between the
ages OF u and Is years were brought
together for training IN an industrial
school designed 20 fit them for their
eountry's services. Bring them from
all parts Of the territory. Make the
Inducements to attend this school
strong enough to attract boys OF more
than average intelligence who were
destined TO become leaders in their
communities. Let their school records
he the basis for selection. Train them
70 become farmers-intelligent in
vestigators OF agricultural possible
ties. Give them an adequate amount
OF instruction in carpentry and black
smithing and other kindred agricul-
tiIral subjects. Make the curriculum
broad enough to Fit the requirements
az the various localities-make II a
representative school. After the pupils
have formed the desired habits, send
them home to convey their ideas to
their neighhors by actual demonstra-
tion. While such q course would re-
quire the outlay OF large amount OF
money. within a few years II would be
returned to the government In the
form Of taxes or increased valuations
due directly 70 the diffusion OF learn.
ing through the agency OF the pro- :
posed school.
We are striving to do what we can /
with our limited facilities and with |
cur primary pupils TO approach this |
ideal But ours is not a vocational |
school We are not neglecting any
subject in the course of study nor
any OF the rules and regulations OF |
the department of public instruction |
For the interest that we may have In |
any hobby. Yet in our efforts to de /
velop good and substantial citizens in |
our management of class room recita- /
tons or playground activities. or pre-
vocational pursuits. we hope 10 estab- /
fish some facts Of economic and so-
cial value 10 everyday people in their /
everyday lives We trust that ex-
periments which we have cited and |
others that we, are conducting win I
lead TO some such discoveries. II may
be that people can be led to see that |
permanent employment at plantation
WaQoe with free rant fraa wOod FREQ 4