The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-11-24
ANSON ACADEMY IN
AGRICULTURE
Interesting Notes on Tp-riyer insti-
ton and Views

That 1t has an Academy does not
give North Arson any claim TO dis
tinctlOn among the forward looking
Somerset County towns. Any claim
TO distinction because of the Academy
Is due chiefly to the personality Of the
Principal. Mr. Guy +. Williams him
self native of the county. a graduate
of Bates College, a real teacher with
practical ideals of education and an
uncommon ability for getting them
across. The Academy has grown UNI
der Mr.. Williams administration from
a handful of students to an enrolment
of nearly 100, Is recognized as CEN
ter of leadership for the surrounding
region, offers a variety of courses suit
ed to the varying needs of the stu
dents and has Il Faculty and Board of
Trustees in active sympathy with the
aims of the Principal.
So far has the Academy manage
ment won the confidence of the com
munity of which 1t is a part that the
town has determined to place the
Grammar School scholars in its care.
The work will be organized on the
Junior and Senior High School plan
so that hereafter students rising from
the sixth grade will at once enjoy the
advantages desired from the associa-
lions of the Academy, the first three
years being the Junior. the last three
years the Senior Course. (To accom-
modate this an addition doubling the
size of the Academy building is being
erected) The teachers for the COM
ing year under the direction of Prin.
Williams who will teach Agriculture,
Chemistry and Teacher Training, will
be: Paul Mason, teaching French,
History: Mrs. Mildred Manson. Latin
English: Miss Evelyn M. Bridges,
Home Arts, Science; Miss Celia M.
Ackley, Mathematics; Mrs. Marion
Drake Flanders, music.
This article is not written primarily
for eulogy either of the Academy or
its management, but to inform the
reader of the place it is making for
itself by its adoption to rural needs
with especial reference to the agricul-
tural department of its curriculum.
This course taken by fully one half OF
the young men attending the Academy
falls naturally into three divisions
tuuBHl Ill IL liiTtt Stdl " oit
year the subjects Of Quinal Husband
ry, Dairying and Poultry are taught.
The next year. Soils, Fertilizers and
Field Crops. The third year. Market
Gardening, Small Fruit Growing, Or
charding, Farm Accounting and Arth-
metic.
Closely associated with the agricnl-
'tural work of the Academy under the
leadership of Mr.. Williams is the
work of the Boys and Girls Agrieul-
tural Clubs enrolling 100 or more
young people of the schools of tho
town this year in Club projects. Mrs.
Wilbert Walker Is leader for the Girls
and County Agent Storer is doing
much to promote the success of the
enterprise Miss Alfredo Ellis. State
Club Leader, has given encouragement
by repeated visits.
There are still to be found people in
our towns who regard the teaching of
the schools as academic" which to
them means impractical. 1t is dol
lars to doughnuts that those who
would say this of an agricultural in
struction of Arson Academy are stran-
gers to its classooms, altho visitors
are always welcome. They may be
surprised to learn that there students
are far from being book farmers. They
use text books and under their In