Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1927-04-15
|l2-MONTH TEACHER
is AID TO FARMERS

~ tural education program is that
the agricultural teacher remains in
the community the year round, thus
being able to do some effective teach
ing at the homes of the pupils, ac-
cording to DR.. C. H. Lane. chief of the
agricultural education service of the
federal board for vocational educa-
ton
DIR. Lane has Just stated that he believes
the agricultural department IN high schools
has brought about a far-reaching change
in many communities in the local view
point with respect to education. The teach
ers of vocational agriculture are married
men with families, he explains. and as
they live In the community the year round,
are considered local citizens and in this
capacity are able TO contribute more great
Ily than otherwise to school progress and
stability.
Achievements Of the pupils. DR.. Lane
says, have impressed the communities over
the country. He mentions individual In
stances Of achievement.
Small-Town High Schools
The vast majority Of the teachers OF vo-
~cational agriculture are employed In the
small-town high school or in the rural con-
solidated school In the open country. This
new department In these schools has
brought about a far-reaching change In
the local viewpoint with respect to educa-
ton and has been responsible for the de-
velopment of a new attitude toward many
individual and community problems.
Most of the teachers OF vocational agri-
culture are married men with families.
They are employed. as has been indicated.
on q year-round basis. They are citizens
of the communities In which they live.
This is a condition far more inducive to
school progress and stability than where
none of the teachers are employed for the
calendar year.
nbo $1noE.~ 90 x-~notfoaoI arr{n,tnpo. hc-
raised In the minds Of the people the ques-
ton, what, after all, is the aim and func-
ton of the high schoolf Is 1t, they are
beginning to ask, to simply give such
courses as will best prepare a few for col
lege or is Its primary job to prepare the
majority to live in the community that
supports the school? That question has
been answered rather satisfactorily, evil
IDENTIFY, by q patron of the school In Car
roll county, Tenn, for he says:
"If we could have tad a teacher of vo-
cational agriculture In our community Is
years ago, our community would not have
had to suffer the hardships we have had"
This statement came from a farmer of the
his farm and moved to Clarksburg in order
that his boys might get the benefit OK the
school.
Achievenents reviewed
Some or the achievements Of the voca-
tional agricultural teacher through his vo-
dltUu6i puRlib LII luI6 AIGs
More than e5 per cent OF the farmers have
increased their cotton yields over 90 per
cent
Fifty-three farm boys have pursued agri-
cultural courses In local high school for
one or more years since the work has been
established.
A total of 100 home projects have been
completed by the pupils, with q total earn
ing of over 5000, 800 acres Of land have
been terraced, 1900 fruit trees pruned, 1000
froQa anru yQ6 TX cfpE ontmt1Q fvAnfAd ard
hundreds of inquiries from farmers have
been answered.
In addition to this a separate building
with classroom and farm shop has been
agricultural work. Commercial production
of sweet potatoes has been introduced. Two
curing houses built and another one about
to be built. Three evening school classes
have been conducted with an average at
tendance of 30 adult farmers. Three COM
munity fairs have been held with large at
tendance and good exhibits. The boys TAX
ing the vocational work have won five RIB
bons from the state fair and won first
premiums on school agricultural exhibit
Mt county fair three times.
The following are some OF the articles
made in the farm shop of the school. Two
wagon boxes. seven porch swings, five sim
gletrees, eight ironing boards, is wagon
jacks, eight wood benches and vices, filed
rs handsaws and is crosscut saws and re-
paired numerous parts of farm machinery
and harness and returned them to the
farms.
During the last year George Thomas, who
had had four years of vocational agricul-
ture In the Gordonsville. Tenn, high school,
has come into his own. He has made the
step into the business of farming. Last
year he took as his home supervised prac-
tice work. under the direction and super
vision Of his teacher, 10 acres of corn, six
dairy cows, two sows and % shoats. He
planned his work carefully and followed
his plan. lie kept accurate records Of all
the work that he did. On the 10 acres of
corn he made q profit of 1901. 80; his profit
from the two sows and % shoats was
$511.S9, and his profit from the six dairy
cows was $266.08, making a total profit on
the three projects Of $1,2S5.77.
George now has on hand for a continue
ton or his work two sows, three gifts, 81
pigs, three cows, seven heifers and one
calf. He has all the ground he needs for
growing his feed and his pastures are
ample.