Evening star., 1928-11-04
'sWe-Uns Has COme-Larn Us"

The clink of hammers on the forge,
the 6rone of farm machinery, blends
with the vague murmur of voices IN
claSsrooms and study halls, with the
chatter of girls in the big kitchens and
laundry On an open piazza girls weave
on looms patterned after those of their
grandmothers beautiful old rugs and
bedspreads, repeating old designs, keep
ing alive an almost forgotten craft. On
spinning wheels they spin woolen thread
from the angora goats of the farm.
They sing as they work, in clear young
voices, old mountain songs
From the very first the Berry Schools
were essentially agricultural. The hve
courses that are given-agrlculture
home economics mechanics, literature
and science, and a normal course-traln
boys and girls for a practical, work
day life. Today, when a mountain boy
graduates from Berry he not only has
an academic education, but he Is an
efficient farmer who has learned farm
ing by doing 1t. He knows the care OF
herds and flocks. He can build with
wood and brick or the stones OF his
mountains. He is ready to take up lie
on the soil intelligently. He has been
taught scientific methods Of cultivation
and fertilization; how to put nitrogen
GUS cover crops back into the earth,
how to select seed, how to rotate crops,
how to carry on the daily routine OF
farm and dairy. A generation Sepa-
rates him from his father. Two hun
dred years separate him from his faith
er's understanding.
An Efficient Home Maker.
When q girl leaves Berry she is an
efficient home maker, a good mate tor
her farmer husband. She can COOK,
preserve and sew. She can keep house,
barnyard and dairy tidily She can
weave and spin-ancient arts. She can
work out a family budget and a bal
anced diet as we'll as an algebra prob
lem. She is prepared for Wifehood and
motherhood, for the physical care OF
herself and those dependent upon her.
She is but generation separated from
her mother. Two hundred years Sepa-
rate her from her mothers understand
ing of life She may become teacner
to little mountain children, but in all
events both boys and girls leave Berry
to become young crusaders TO their kin
folk eager to battle against ignorance
and poverty.
There are no servants at Berry. All
must work. All want to. 1t was new
and difficult idea to spread in the noun
tains that hand labor is dignified and
honorable. Martha Berry taught lads
that lesson, working profound psyche
logic change In the male point of view.
Many other subtle things are taught
an appreciation for the beauty that lies
all about them, Of the power OF char
acter.
With the passing of years honors have
come to Martha Berry, honcrs that in
evitably come to those who carry through
great dreams for their fellow men. Her
own State has recognized by public res
olution her service to the cause of the
poor and lowly. In 1925 President Cool
idge awarded her the Roosevelt Medal
for distinguished service In America.
Presidents Taft and Woodrow Wilson
have spoken their interest in her unique
undertaking.
Many Have Been Trained.
Summer is over at the Berry Schools
The harvestS are in. There will be
other Summers, other harvests, but to-
day Martha Berry counts $500 boys who
have gone out from her school skilled
farmers, 371 who have became teachers
and principals in rural schools, 3C7
housewives, IS nurses and preachers
She sees her school and its methods
copied by other backward sections. Thl
harvest Is in.
Sit on the sagging doorstep of any
cabin in the blue Appalachians with
some shriveled old grandmother speak
to any lean farmer on the mountainside
to any tired woman. old at 80, bending
over the barrel tubs to any scraggly
boy or girl working in the field say the
name of Martha Berry, the Sunday
lady," as she is everywhere called, and
there will come a look in the eye, a
note in the voice that bespeaks an in
articulate love and reverence, the love
that the least of these" gives to the
oraaf tact opoo,4u TIE