Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-10-19
Practical Training in Rural Schools
Has Been Tried and Not Found Wanting;
How 1t Worked Out at Watson Chanel

grades are given just as for class
room work. This course of study
commences with a study of soils and
crops, and the actual growing Of a
crop, animal husbandry and the care
! OF livestock, horticulture, including
the care of orchards, also the treat
ments for diseases and pests attack
ing the same; finally system of ac-
counting and the keeping of expense
ana income, drainage problems,
plumbing, lighting, gas engines,
planning and building of farm dwell
Ilngs, conclude the actual four years
course Of study.
In ether words the patrons of the
Watson Chapel school would have
brought to their doors an equipment
that is not excelled, for their par
tlcular needs, in the city of Pine
Bluff itself; in fact, the city schools
will not afford them this wonderful
course in agriculture.
Meanwhile, Watson Chapel neigh
borhood has grown. Farmers have
moved in and attracted b ythe won
derfu! advantages for their children
and the other members of the family
through the benefits of this COM
munity life. The farms and homes
are being constantly improved, val
ues are rising each year and what is
better still the movement is spread
ing to the neighboring communities.
as is best attested by the fact that
the Union school, within a few miles
from the Watson school, commences
this year with two-year high school
course and exactly the same course
IN vocational agriculture.
Rural Benefits.
When the highways of our state
have been built and adequate pro-
vision made for their maintenance.
thereby creating the great artery
that shall pump as it were, the con-
veniences of modern life from the
urban to the rural sections; when the
boys and the Girls who are now at.
tending the Watson Chapel school
that are dotted all over Arkansas.
shall have received their diplomas,
and been admitted to partnership in
the industry of furnishing the food
supply for the nation by application
of the instruction that they have
been receiving: then by their precept
s*AiNt SAoAiAPAS, Ci1C eyes VI CIlc IldClOu
will be turned more than ever before
to the rural life, and as they turn
and gaze and follow the inclination
of perhaps nothing more than mere
they will come to under
stand these rural communities as
they are and as they may be fashion
ed and see for themselves what they
have missed; and when this comes to !
pass, the problem that has vexed the
economist will vanish and make room
for others. for the movement "Back
to the Soil" will have commenced in
to achieve as near an indie I
pendence as is humanity possible. |
In conclusion just one more
thought. Everyone is now perplex-
ed about how to reduce the high cost
IF living. Many schemes have been
SUGGESTED and manv more probably
will be. but in nv humble Judgment
increased production of the neces-
sites of life. brought about bv an
exodus from the towns to the rural
Of the Watson Chauel
vDe, will 90 further to reduce this
high cost than any other thing; he
'ause it works both ways. The
amily on the farm engaged in pro-
]ucing is first self -sustaining: while
he family in the cities produce only
he means with which to acquire
ustenance.