The Redwood gazette., 1936-11-26
Farm Lies Advantages for
Youth Told IN Prize Essay

Because her essay aDas only one
of t1Do entered in the Citizen State
banks contest and the other con-
teStGnt is older than the age limit
set, l.. r. EaDart, vice president,
this lDeek daDarded all three prizes
totaling $40 to Miss Orla Enger,
16-year-old BelUieU GIRL. Her
essay folloWss
"The Advantages of Farm Life
to Youth of America
BY Orla Enger
The farm youth of today has
advantages undreamed of in our
grandparents day. OF these, edu-
cation is of first Importance.
Country schools have been re-.
modelled along the latest lines,
and better trained teachers are
demanded and obtained. Many
communities have consolidated
schools with buses Transporting
the pupils to and from school.
There is no reason for ridicul-
ing the country youth, now, be-
cause most of the farm youths at
tend high schools, and a large
number attend colleges and uni
versities.
After graduation, if there is no
position open for him, he need
not be among the unemployed
who loiter on city streets. There
is always plenty to do on the
farm. In the evenings he keeps
up with world events by reading
the numerous newspapers and
magazines subscribed to by the
family. The travelling library or
a nearby public library are adj
vantages appreciated and enjoyed
by the farm youth.
The farm youth need not be
entirely dependent on his parents
generosity or on running errands
to obtain pocket money. He can
have some project of his own
such as a pig, calf, colt, flock of
chickens, or a patch of corn,
which he can take care of himself
and get sum of money for in
the fall. This gives him feel
ing of independence. If he joins
a All club he has an opportuni-
ty of competing for prizes, besides
enjoying the companionship of
other youths at club meetings.
In the fall when hunting sea-
son opens the farm youth can en-
joy the sport without travelling
long distances as the city youth
must.
Trapping wild animals is also
an enjoyable sport, besides being
the source of little extra money
during the winter months.
The farm youth can enjoy skat-
ing on ice ponds made by nature,
and coasting and skiing on hills
probably as close as his own pas
ture.
If a farm girl wishes to learn
to cook or prepare meal she
need not run uptown in order to
buy all the ingredients required.
There is plenty of canned meat,
vegetables and fruits stored in
the basement, together with pota-
toes and perhaps squash, all of
which are raised on the farm. The
flock of poultry supplies the eggs
and the cows milk. If bread is
what she is going to learn to bake
it is not necessary for her to go
to town and get flour, as the
head of the family usually takes
wheat to the mill and brings back
large amount of flour, so there
is a huge supply for her to use
from.
The farm youth gets plenty of
fresh pure air into his lungs, in
comparison with the smoke filled
air breathed by the city youth.
His work also requires that he be
out in the open the greater part of
the day and his muscular deveI-
opment is naturally more rapid.
There may be a few exceptions,
but most farms have an automo-
bile and thus the farm youth can
take an active part in the social
life of the community. If he wish
es to attend the theatre it is only
a short trip by motor.
Taking everything into consid-
Grafton l think farm life is best
for the youth of America-wheth-
er they be boys or girls.