Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-24
HELP ORR BOYS AND GIRLS

HELP OUR BOYS AND GIRLS
Although people in this country are
divided on almost every subject under the
sun. including politics, religion, daylight
saving tariff, prohibition and on. there
is one thing on which nearly everybody
Is united-the fight against the high cost
of living. It is undoubtedly true that any
practical solution Of this problem, which
is troubling everybody just now, would
be welcomed by the great rank and file
of the people.
If the people of Chittenden county should
be offered the chance to weaken the hold
Of the high cost of living, would they
do it? We think that there is only one
answer to that question, and we believe
that they are going to make use of the
opportunity which is going to be offered
them within a few days.
This opportunity comes in the form of
a plan of cooperation with the Chitten-
den County Farm Bureau. which is con-
templating an addition to the agricultural
d
club leader, who will take full charge OF
the agricultural projects among the young
people of the county It is estimated by
the State leader of Boys and Girls club
work. f. L. Ingalls,. of the University of
Vermont Extension Service, that fully
5000 boys and girls in Chittenden county
ha 1oI nd o1, dat
methods of gardening. pig-rasing. poul-
try-raisins. calf-raising. and many other
things in connection with agriculture
which will help to increase the food pro-
duction of the county.
This work can be done, however. only
under the direction of trained super
visor who can give full time to the work.
In order that the child should learn to do
the work right and come to like it. there
should be a continued following up of
the work, and keeping of records show
ing what has been accomplished under
certain conditions, and this is why su-
pervision is necessary. The supervisor
ership and partnership in home work so
that the child is taught to have pride in
his own accomplishments. This develops
future farmers for the country, and the
best kind of farmers.
Several counties in the State already
have leaders in boys and girls' club work,
working with the county agents and home
demonstration agents. and the work among
the boys and girls is proving very sue.
cessful. 1t is really among these young
people that the drive for greater produc-
lion, and thus for decreased living ex-
penses. must be conferred. for in the
young people is the hope OF the future
in this direction II they can be kept or
the land, raising food. the food produc.
ton program can be carried out, bu
if they are not taught to love agriculture
the country will surely suffer, for ther
tho young people are sure to leave tn,
farms AS soon as they grow up.
Chittenden county already has a goot
number Of active boy and girl workers
but it is not doing as we'll as some othe
counties, especially some of those in which
club leaders are now working But thu
possibilities in Chttenden country ar
State,
There arc now four Boys and Girls
clubs in the county with an enrolment O
about fifty members, These include tw
Girls Sewing clubs in Richmond. one Pi
club in West Bolton and Poultry clu
In Burlington. But there are a large mum
her of young people not organized int
into Clubs who arc working in co-opcratio
with their projects, which include HON
these young people whom a club leade
in the county would reach and HELM alon
with their projects. which include HON
gardens. canning. pigs, poultry, potatoe.
calves. corn, lambs, sewing. cookin,
handicraft maple sugar making. genera
farm work, and other things along thi
line.
The work Of the club leaders is carrie
on mostly with young people betwee
tine ages Of 10 and 10 years of age. Du,
ing the very few years that the work hs
been going on in Vermont. and with yer
few leaders, great things have been a,
complished, and if the boys and cir
are given half chance, they will III
doubtedly, make the older agriculturis
of the State sit up and TOD. aoticc.
Here are some of the chief aims of Il
Boys and Girls club work in Vernon
To develop agriculture and rural and hon
, life; to interest boys and girls in far
and home and community programs, al
through them their fathers and mother
to train them in better methods of far
and home practices; to assist them
demonstrating these practices for the be
efit of others; to encourage them throu,
. property ownership and partnership
stronger belief in rural life and Il
business of agriculture; to create in the
the systematic training in agriculture al
home making in school and in college;
develop in them rural leadership, con
munity cooperation and the spirit
citizenship. thus improving the rural al
social life of the future.
Is not this a program worth hacki,