Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-04-21
IOWA COLLEGE KEEPS YOUTHS ON
FARMS BY GIVING THEM OWNERSHIP
AND RESPONSIBILITY WITH GROWTH

things religion can furnish. but the
burden OF tradition seems to hang
heavily upon the churches. which
apparently are more concerned with
the tithes OF mint, anise and cum
min than with the wants OF modern
humanity.
In this, as in all other matters.
Lone Tree Township is merely a mi.
cTocosm OF the rest of the country.
Modern things in the way OF utilit-
les outnumber those OF conyenien-
ces in the home. AS one farmers
wife expressed 1t. We have every
convenience outside the house. but
few in tie house" Farm machinery
is more in evidence than home com
forts. but the situation is steadily
changing for the better
The Social Side OF the Community
AS to the real problem, the social
life OF the community. there is the
usual story; picnics, especially al
the rural schools, to which the PEG
pie are much attached. the town.
ship band to which il is distinc-
tion to belong; the town hall at
EVERY where social gatherings. and
all manner OF meetings are held;
the inevitable movie and endless
visiting, especially on sunday after
moons.
One OF the human land busiuess)
sidelights is the rest room prepared
by a bank that has vision. 1t is
room in the bank building where
farmers and their families find ev-
erythiug for their convenience and
comfort when they come to town.
The final story as to why boys
and girls leave the farm, finds its
answer in that fast dying, barbaric
legal fiction that children are mere
appendages and chattels of their
parents. a fiction that takes no &C
count Of the profound truth. which
is slowly dawning upon US. of the
distinct entity and individuality Of
the child TO be studied and consid-
cred.
The thing OF most moment devel-
oped in the study OF Lone Tree
Township is that there is too often
lack OF recognition of the fact that
the inherent nature of the child de-
mands play with its quota of work.
and that its absence makes Jack a
very dull and very dissatisfied boy
indeed Moreover. the boy and the
girl have the natural human desire
to be part Of the show to be
something more than a mere ser
want, like the hired man; to have
some tangible interest in the land
on which they labor, something of
their own, so that they shall not
wait the slow process OF time to be
1T least part farmers In their own
light
Clubs Formed For Children
The first OF these problems, that
of intelligent leadership in the so
cial and religious life of the com
munity, is something that the town
ship and the small town must find
and create within itself. with such
help as is always to be had from
the widespread community work
which has its source in the State
College at Ames,
The second and even more vital
problem. that of making boys and
girls partners in farm life has en-
listed the sympathy and active CO.
operation. not only of the State Coz
lege. but likewise OF the country
bankers and some OF the LEADING
farm papers, especially In Dcs
Moines.
So there are now thousands Of
members OF the boys and girls Pic,
Calf, Poultry and like clubs through
out the state Funds are advanced
to the6e youthful members on which
they give notes and pay interest.
that they may have something all
their own and for whose success
they are responsible. 1t is a strict
~ business proposition and it is a
rare instance where it is not
carried out with absolute good faith