The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-07-09
RANDOLPH
Letter to F. A. Joslyn from His Son
Corp. Elwyn D. Joslyn, A. E. F.

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Corp. Elwyn D. Joslyn, A. E. F.
The following letter has been received
by +. A. Joslyn from his son, Corp Ell.
wynn d. Joslyn, 47th infantry, Co. A, who
has spent one term in the university
mentioned in the heading of the letter;
"a. E. +. University, Beame, Cote
dOore, May 81 1918.
Dear Folks at Homei ] want to tell
you about an exhibit of American agri-
culture and country life that have Just
visited here at Beaune-can you imagine
such an exhibit way over here in Sunny
Francef"
ut has been arranged by the faculty
and students of our college of agricul-
| ture, with the help of the U. S. depart
ment of agriculture at Washington. The
government part of the exhibit cost $l5,-
900 and it was brought over here by two
experts from Washington, who carefully
arranged and set up the display. To give
you some idea of this part of the show
just let me say that there are enough
photographs and charts to cover liz
large screens. Besides there are GA ia
bIes and % cabinets filled with the va
rious articles OF the display,
Models of farm houses farm build
ings, poultry houses and the like, made
an interesting study and offered many
practical ideas, which we farmers can
use to advantage
"A very interesting part Of the exhibit
was that arranged by the bureau of soils.
Here were shown samples of the soils
best adapted to the growing of fruit,
corn, wheat, cotton, garden truck, etc.
Another section had to do with insect
pests that affect our fruits and other
crops, together with the various insect
ides and spraying material required to
combat them.
Modern highway construction was
given the recognition that its Importance
deserves. Models were shown illustrat-
ing various methods and processes of
road construction. We men of the A. +.
f. have come to know and appreciate the
value of good roads--France has wonder
full roads. We have learned how to build
them and we realize what such roads will
mean to the future of American farmers.
"A model showing the layout and ar
rangement of an average American farm
LEO to 800 acres-was very practical
and appealed to me.
Gust beyond this exhibition were three
booths that interested me greatly. The
first showed something of French agri.
culture, more especially that Of this de-
partment Cote d'Orel. The next had to
do with European agriculture and the
third with world wide agriculture These
three exhibits were shown by means of
charts and illustrations.
"Dr. Butterfield gave us a wonderful
lecture at one of our assembly periods
on the Importance of our beginning to
think in terms of world agriculture.
another section that was very in
structive and helpful was that showing
modern furniture and equipment for the
farm home. For instance, model kitch-
en- had good range, sanitary sink,
kitchen cabinet, fireless cooker, dumb
waiter-to carry food up and down from
the cellar and save climbing the stairs
Also model pantry-just a large cabi-
net with doors. A good idea was the
breakfast aleove" at one end Of the
kitchen. Here the meal can be served
simply and quickly with much saving of
labor. 1t is just two long backed
seats, with a solid home. built table
placed between
"A model kitchen entry was supplied
with porcelain wash-bow and fittings,
box for rubbers, and a built.in cabinet
for brooms, mops and such things. The
laundry had a modern washing machine,
driven by motor and built-in ironing
board that was hinged to the wall and
folded up into little wall cabinet.
"Then there was the farmers office,
all fitted up very business-like-as the
modernfarmer should be- Here were
roomy desk, telephone typewriter, filing
case for letters, papers, catalogs, etc.
Also book shelves, wall map and pho
tos of the pure-bred farm stock were
on the walls.
"The extension work section of the col
lege had charge of display showing the
activities of rural community. Here
are shown charts and models of COM
munity school and farm; also Of play
ground and recreation center and a com
bined town hall and farmers club house.
Splendid, practical plans they were
and they have given me new vision Of
the dignity and Importance of the Amer
lean farmer ] am eager to get back to
the old farm and join with you in help
ing to make these dreams come true.
"The Farm Boy"