Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-08-30
PATTERSON FARM
SCHOOL NEWS
"Old Hurrygraph" Writes Entertain
ingly of the Happenings at the
School in HHappy Valley.
(By James A. Robinson)

Wy JdflcS n. pOUllSOu)
Legerwood, August 27.-Life at
the Patterson farm school for boys
is happy on the way in tss regular
daily program-study, work and play
The recitation periods are going on
smoothly, with some sixty-odd pupils
The forty-odd boarders at the school
are carrying on their studies and per.
forming their assigned tasks at farm
work, before and after school hours.
Their sports, in play hours, have brok-
en- out in baseball, basket ball and
pitching horseshoes. The younger
ones have gay time in frolicking
among themselves after they have
done their sweeping, hunting eggs,
and other small chores about the
buildings.
With the crops laid by for some
time, which ar efreerer Of weeds this
year than ever before, and corn CIV
ing promise of an abundant yield.
Farm work has taken on more prac-
tical aspect, and two tractors are now
turning the soil preparatory to the
planting Of wheat. The tractors have
great attraction for the boys, MANY
so anxious to drive them. Mules and
horses are also used, and the Gee"
and 'Haw" of the young farmers are
still heard in the valley. The plant
ing of turnip seed is in progress, and
several acres are being cultivated in
this crop. The winter supply Of
stove wood is being cut and stacked
on the wood yard. There is general
activity all over the Patterson School
farm, and the farm itself is in a bet
ter state of cultivation than it has
been in years. Rev. H. A. Dobbin,
the principal, is practical farmer,
and under his guidance the improve
ments and upbuilding of soil has been
a wonderful advancement in results
from fine crops. The earth seems to
respond graciously, and abundantly,
to his method of touching. The bows
following his instructions are mighty
apt to turn out to be practical farm
ers; and accomplish great results in
the methods of farming.
The lively bunch of boys at this
School are ever on the alert for
game. A day or two ago, James Nor
man, Saborn Trott and several other
smaller ones, spied an opossum in a
log5 near the Chapel of Rest. They
did nst allow his 'possumship to re-
main long at rest in that log. Pro-
curing an axe they soon had him out.
He was a fine specimen. He was
brought to the school, just to show,
and was taken to the pines and given
his liberty, until fall when the boys
will go hunting for him, with Frank,
Cyp, or some other dog, that delights
in such sport.
The Happy Valley is favored To-
cality for the Boy Scouts; especially
the South Carolina youngsters. They
know a good place to resticate. A
party. from Rock Hill was with US
week before last. Another party of
seven, from York, S. c., came down
Tuesday. They are house-camping
for ten days or more on Mr.. Tai
Melton's place, short distance down
the river.
Rev. H. A. Dobbin, principal Of the
Patterson School, went to Asheville
Tuesday to attend meeting of the
Episcopal Church Council of the dio
cese of Asheville. There was full
attendance, and many matters per-
tanning to the church and the church
school were considered, and action
taken for their advancement
Miss Mary Lippart Dobbin accom-
panied the Woodruffs to Banner Elk
Monday, and spent several days visit
ing relatives and friends.
Miss Berl Pipes, of Lenoir, is visit
ing her sister, Mrs. Clark Steele, at
Yadkin-
Miss Hazel Hollifeld, Of Lenoir, is
on a visit to Mr.. and Mrs. Richard
-Triplett, on the Patterson School
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