The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1921-07-08

a part OF the curriculum as reading
and arithmetic 1t is carrying forward
the school garden army idea, now so
popular In America, not only to meet
a severe shortage, but also to set up
a barrier against its recurrence in the
future.
The school children of America are
greatly interested in the success OF
these Italian agricultural schools, for
they are aiding in the maintenance of
more than 800 children in such schools
and orphanages through the agency
of the Junior department Of the Amer
lean Red Cross.
The farm school at Seize is typical
Of these Italian Institutions. Here 100
children from the streets Of Rome,
war orphans and children who lost
their parents in the influenza epidemic
that swept Italy the year following
the World war, are being taught agri-
culture and given the rudiments of an
education while being we'll cared for
and restored to health in the sunshine
and open air. Their ages range from
8 years to lads in their early teens.
The farm school at Seize is unusual
because it is delivering practical farm
results in spite Of the youth of the
pupils. These youngsters are manag-
ing wheat fields, truck gardens and
barnyards in way which brings in
fair profit and goes far toward feed
ing the community in which they are
placed. The fact that these children
are responsible for the economic re-
birth of the town is generally appre-
ciated in the neighborhood, and the
school is regarded as the business cen
ter of the village.
In addition to farm and school work,
the boys are reconstructing the school
building, an ancient monastery which
is rapidly being turned into modern
structure with first-rate equipment. A
new wing is well under way and
American shower baths are being In
stalled. The school is not rich enough
to hire any outside labor, even if such
labor could be procured. SO the chill.
dren Of the orphanage are taking the
place of the bricklayers and plasterers
In a real sense this school is co
operative experiment, because each
boy is given a personal responsibility
In the farming and personal share
In the results.
These Italian children have a great
affection for their friends Of the Amer
lean Junior Red Cross. A few months
ago a dollar bill arrived at the schoo
anonymously in an envelope which
had come from the United States, evi
IDENTIFY sent by some one who hat
heard about the school. 1t was de
cided that the gift was too precious
ito change into lire for ordinary use
It was therefore framed and placed
In the dining room. 1t may be taker
from its frame when special or press
ing need arrives. Meanwhile. the
anonymous dollar hangs there as s
symbol of the good will which makes
American children the big brothers anC
big sisters of those young farmers Of
Italy.
Petrino and Bob have never seer
each other, but they are regular
friends just the same. Petrino Petruc
clio received postcard from Bot
Smith. Green Mountain, United States
of America. Since then they CORE
spond frequently. Petrino has named
his garden plot "Green Mountain Ave
nue." and has put up sign to prove it
One of the pictures shows the boys
Of the Seize farm school gathered In
the historic courtyard Of the building