ALABAMA Agricultural Experiment Station.. OF THE Alabama Polytechnic Institute AUBURN CIRCULAR No. 22 October, 1913. Alabama Boys' Corn Club Day.. PART 1. PROGRAM OUTLINED AND AMPLIFIED. PART 11. CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND OTHER ESSENTIALS. BY L. N. DUNCAN J. B. HOBDY To the Teachers of Alabama: The remarkable success which has attended the work of the Boy's Corn 'Club throughout the State of Alabama has allowed me to designate the second Friday in November of this year as Corn Club Day. I respectfully urge all the teachers to draw public attention on the after- noon of that day to the great work that is being done by these clubs. This suggestive program for use on that occasion was prepared by Prof. L. N. Duncan and Prof. J. B. Hobdy, of Auburn, Alabama, and will be gladly furnished by them to any teachers requesting it. Let us on that day arouse state-wide interest in corn growing, and teach incidentally the nobility of labor and the success which comes to him who knows how to do something and is willing to do it. Very sincerely, HENRY J. WILLINGHAM, State Superintendent of Education. ALABAMA BOYS' CORN CLUB DAY Friday, November 14th-2 to 4 p.m. State Department of Education, Extension Dep't Alabama Polytechnic Institute, United States Department of Agriculture. PART I Progam Outlined and Amplified. PROGRAM (See Program Helps, Pages 10 and 11. 1. Song-Alabama. By the school. 2. Scriptural Reading- A. The Twenty-Third Psalm. By a school girl. B. The Sower, Matthew xiii: 2-9. By a school boy. 3. Prayer-By the local minister, or the Lord's Prayer in concert. 4. Purposes and Results of Boys' Corn Club Movement in Alabama. By the teacher. 5. Declamation-The Kings of the Soil. By a school boy. 6. Recitation-The Boys That Rule the World. By a school girl. 7. Declamation-The Country Boy's Creed. By a school boy. 8. Related Readings-The Fundamental Principles of Agriculture. First Boy-Seed Selection. Second Boy-Preparation of the Soil. Third Boy-Cultivation of the Crop. Fourth Boy-Fertilization. 9. Song-The Boys' Corn Club Song. By the school. 10. Reading-A Successful Club Member's Report. By a school boy. 11. Concert Reading--The Farmer's Creed. By the boys and girls. 12. Address-Appropriate Subject. By an invited speaker. 13. Announcement of Local Prizes. By the teacher. 14. Organization of Local Corn Club. 15. Recitation-The Farmer. By a school girl. 16. Song-America. By the school. 17. Adjournment. 4 SCRIPTURAL READINGS. A. "THE LORDIS MY SHEP- HERD." The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. -Twenty-third Psalm. B. THE SOWER. And great multitudes were gath- ered together unto Jesus, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, behold a sower went forth to sow, And when he sowed, some seed fell Ly the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forth- with they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away: And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up; and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. -Matt. xiii: 2-9. 4. FACTS PERTAINING TO THE BOYS' CORN CLUB WORK. The objects of organizing boys, between the ages of 10 and 18 years, into corn clubs are to increase the production of corn, to improve seed, to aid the young farmers in better methods of cultivation and more intelligent use of commercial fertilizers, to encourage systematic crop rotation in which are included soil-building crops, to increase the interest of farm boys in agricul- ture, and encourage them to get an education along agricultural lines and remain on the farm. Arousing interest in one crop will lead to similar lines of work with other crops, and will ultimately result in more careful study of better methods along all lines of farming. This will lead to increased production of the farm and will lay the foundation for better schools, better roads, better churches, improvement of the social life in the rural districts and a more contented and happier people. This great work, first organized by the late Dr. Seaman A. Knapp, is carried on through a co-operative arrangement between the Alabama Poly- technic Institute and the Farmers' Co-operative Demonstration Work of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The Boys' Corn Club headquarters are at Auburn, Ala. 2. The organization of the movement was introduced in Alabama during the year 1909, in the counties of Calhoun and Tuscaloosa. In 1910, a state agent was given charge of the work. Its phenomenal growth is shown by the following table: Year. Counties worked. No. boys enrolled. 1909------- 2--------------------265 1910 ------ - - -- 17--- --- - -- - - 2,100 1911-----. - - - - - 52 ------- ---- - 3,800 1912------------ ------ 67 ------ -- 10,894 Previous to the systematic organization of clubs, and even during the first year of its history in Alabama, one-hundred-bushel yields were practically unknown to Alabama acres. 'Uhe following table shows the number of one-hundred-bushel yields with the average net profit per acre: Year. No. boys. Av. yield. Cost per bu. Ay. net profit. 1909- --- 00.0$0.00-- - $0.00 1910------ 6 --. 116.6- - 0.27--- 60.66 1911 32- ----------- 124.1-0.30-- 60.79 1912_. 132_ 126.6 _____-0.28- - 63.89 During the year 1912, every boy in the State who submitted a report, properly certified to by two disinterested witnesses, showing a yield of not less than 75 bushels of corn made at a cost not exceeding 30 cents a bushel, was presented with a diploma on which were certified the yield, cost of pro- duction, and county in which it was made. These diplomas were signed by the Governor of Alabama, the President of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute and the Superintwdent of Extension of the College of Agriculture at Aifburn. Of those submitting reports, 203 were awarded diplomas. These made an average yield of 112.16 bushels, at an average cost of $0.27, and an average profit of $58.32. Against the cost-of-production account was charged $5.00 for rent of land, ten cents per hour for work of boy, five cents per hour for work of horse, barnyard. manure at $2.00 a two-horse wYagon load, and commercial fertilizers at the market value. The National Corn Exposition trophy, a bronze bust of the late Dr. Sea- man A. Knapp, was won by teams selected from Alabama Corn and To- mato clubs. These teams were in competition with similar teams in other Southern States. Alabama's Corn Club team of twenty members made the remarkable record of 165.11 bushels on the average, at an average cost of $0.17 a bushel. The following table shows Alabama's corn crop for the years of 1909, the first year of the work, and 1912, the last year of reports: Year. Acres. Yield Av. bus. per acre. Value. 1909---2,573,000- -30,696,000 --- _-11.9------$26,091,000 1912 -__- 3,150,000___54,180,000----- 17.2-- --- -- 42,802,000 Increase._. 577,000---23,484,000_----_- 5.3----- 16.711,000 A study of the above table will show that the increase in acreage planted to corn is 22%, and the increase in yield is 76,/'. These results are in no -small degree due to the work being done by the county demonstration agents with their co-operators and demikstrators, as well as the Boys' Corn Club work, under the efficient leadership of the county superintend~ents of the State, assisted by the county demonstration agents and faithful teachers. The real purpose of the work is not to get enormous yields at any cost, but to )icrease the productivity of the soil by proper agricultural methods. That boy who makes a yield of .twenty-five or thirty bushels from an acre which has been growing only fifteen bushels, provided the cost is relatively no greater, is possibly doing better work than a club member who is plant- ing with the one view of winning a prize, and is not following the club in- structions. 7. THE COUNTRY BOY'S CREED. I believe that the Country which God made is more beautiful than the City which man made; that life out- of-doors and in touch with the earth is the natural life of man. I believe that work is work wherever we find it, but that work with Nature is more inspiring than work with the most intricate machinery. I believe that the dignity of labor depends not on what you do but on how you do it; that opportunity comes to a boy on the farm as often as to the boy in city: that life is larger and freer and happier on the farm than in the town, that my success depends not upon my location, but upon myself -- not upon my dreams, but upon what I actually do, not upon luck, but upon pluck. I belive in work- ing when you work-and in playing when you play and in giving and demanding a square deal in every act of life. -Edwin Osgood Grover. 11. THE FARMER'S CREED I believe in a permanent agricul- ture, a soil that shall grow richer rather than poorer from year to year. I believe in hundred bushel corn and in fifty bushel wheat, and I shall not be satisfied with anything less. I believe that the only good weed is a dead weed, and that a clean farm is as important as a clean con- science. I believe in the farm boy and in the farm girl, the farmer's best crops and the farmer's best hope. I belive in the farm woman, and will do all in my power to make her life easier and happier. I believe in a country school that prepares for country life, and a coun- try church that teaches its people to love deeply and live honorably. I belive in community spirit, a pride in home and neighbors, and I will do my part to make my own community the best in the state. I believe in the farmer, I believe in farm life, I believe in the inspira- tion of the open country. I am proud to be a farmer, and I will try earnestly to be worthy of the name. -FRANK I. MANN. 6. THE BOYS THAT RULE THE WORLD. You can write it down as gospel: With the flags of peace unfurled, The boys that run the furrow Are the boys that rule the world! It is written on the hilltops- In the fields where blossoms blend; Prosperity is ending Where the furrow has an end! The glory of the battle, Of clashing swords blood-red, Is nothing to the warfare Of the battle hosts of Bread! The waving banners of the fields O'er the broad land unfurled- The boys that run the furrow Are the boys that rule the world! -SELECTED. 5. THE KINGS OF THE SOIL Shall tales be told of the chiefs who sold Their sinews to crush and kill, And never a word be sung or heard Of the men who reap and till? I bow in thanks to the sturdy throng Who greet the young morn with toil; And the burden I give my earnest song Shall be this-The Kings of the soil! Proud ships may hold both silver and gold, The wealth of a distant strand; But ships would rot and be valued not, Were there none to till the land. The wildest heath, and the wildest brake, Are rich as the richest fleet; For they gladden the wild birds when they wake, And give them food to eat. And with willing hand and spade and plough, The gladdening hour shall come, When what is called the "waste land" now, Shall ring with the -'Harvest Home"! Then sing for the Kings who have no crown But the blue sky o'er their head- Never Sultan nor Dey had such power as they To withhold or offer bread. 8. THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE. First boy reads: You can not expect to raise fine hogs from scrubs nor should you expect to raise the best corn unless you have good seed. It is possible for you to make from five to fifteen bushels of corn more to the acre from good seed than from poor seed using the same fertilizers, the same cultivations and without any additional cost. Then every farmer and every boy joining the corn club should strive to have good improved seed corn. The best way to do this is to get good seed to begin with and then pay very careful attention to keeping it good and even in improving it each year by selection. If a farmer already has good seed corn that is well adapted to his climate and locality it may be best to use this and carefully improve it. Second boy reads: In making a successful acre of corn it is very important to thoroughly prepare the land. In most cases where the soil will permit it may be best to break the land in the fall and sow some oats, wheat, rye or clover as a winter cover crop to prevent washing and leaching of the soil. The win- ter crop may be grazed during the winter by animals or cut for hay or turn- ed under in the spring to improve the soil. The soil should be well broken, going two to three inches deeper than it has ever been broken before. If sub-soiling is done, be sure that the sub-soil is dry. If fall plowing is done or if winter cover crops are sown, it may be necessary to re-brake in the spring just before planting. If the soil is very rough, a disc harrow may be used and then a smoothing harrow. The preparation for the seed bed is one of the most important steps in the making of a successful crop and it should be very thoroughly and carefully done. A great many boys who make large yields of corn break the land broadcast and then bed and plant in the water furrow. This is wise except on low wet laud or heavy clay land. Third boy reads: An important vital step in the making of a successful acre of corn is cul- tivating it. Begin to cultivate your corn early. Some of the boys who make excellent crops run a harrow over the corn before it is up. If the land becomes hard and compact, one deep cultivation may be given while the corn is small. As the crop grows frequent shallow cultivations should be given. It may be worth while to go through the corn once a week with something like a diverse or gee-whiz cultivator. It is very important to cultivate as soon as the ground is dry after each rain. These frequent shal- low cultivations keep the moisture in the soil for the plant to use. Fourth boy reads: For land of average fertility mix 400 pounds of acid phosphate with 200 pounds of cotton seed meal and 200 pounds of kainit. Apply this mixture at the rate of '500 pounds per acre. A larger amount may be used if it is thought wise, but you should be very careful how much you use on account of the expense. On heavy clay lands that have been well and deeply pre- pared you may wisely leave out half of the kainit. On land following a good growth of cowpeas or clover you may omit some of the cotton seed meal. On average land it may be wise to save half or two-thirds of the above fertilizer mixture and apply it along the side of the growing corn. Most of the acid phosphate, meal and kainit should be applied, how- ever, before or by the time the corn is two and a half or three feet tall. It may be wise also to apply from 100 to 200 pounds of nitrate of soda to your corn. Distribute this along on each side of the row just before the corn is ready to tassel. It is strongly urged that you mix your fertilizer, but if you cannot do this, it is recommended that you use some high grade guano and nitrate of soda as indicated above. 10. A SUCCESSFUL CLUB MEMBER'S REPORT. SOIL- My corn was grown on a fine sandy loam soil with a red, sandy clay sub-soil. It is cut over pine land and has been in cultivation for about five years. Under ordinary cultivation with no fertilizer it would make about ten bushels of corn to the acre. PREPARATION--I turned my land in November with a two-horse plow, pulled by two mules, breaking it to a depth of about six inches. It was then harrowed and sown in rye as a cover crop. In March, I broke it again, but a little deeper, with a two-horse plow, turning under the rye which had made a good growth. Soon after break- ing I gave it a good harrowing. PLANTING-April 15th, I made rows four feet and eight inches apart and bedded out the land with a turn-plow, mixed 125 pounds of acid phosphate, 62% pounds of cotton seed meal and 62% pounds of kainit and applied the mixture in the water furrow. A plow was run through this to mix the fertilizer with the soil. Marlboro corn was then dropped six inches apart in the water furrow and lightly covered. CULTIVATION-Just before the corn was up 1 ran over the row with a Little Joe harrow, and, as the corn developed, I gave. it regular cultivations about every six to ten days, each time going once or twice to the row with a spring tooth cultivator. When the corn was about knee-high I ran around it with a short scooter and a twelve-inch scrape, and in the run-around furrow on each side of the row I applied a mixture of 125 pounds of acid phosphate, 622 pounds of cotton seed meal and 623 pounds of kainit. Then ran again through the middles with the spring tooth harrow, rolling some soil in the furrows and covering the fertilizer. After this the cultivations with the spring tooth harrow were regular each week until the corn was fruiting. Just as the corn was nearly ready to tassel I applied 15) pounds of nitrate of soda, scattering it in the .niddles, out some little distance from the corn. HARVESTING--I gathered my corn the first week in November, and made 142 bushels and one peck. Two disinterested witnesses gath- ered and weighed all my corn and also measured my acre of land. Counting the cost of my fertilizer, and estimating my labor at ten cents per hour, and the labor of my horses at five cents per hour, and the rent of my land $5.00, my corn cost me 223 cents per bushel. At the time of gathering, it was worth eignty cents a bushel. I made a profit of $81.80 on my acre. 15. THE FARMER. BY LILLIE E. BARR. The king may rule o'er land and sea, The lord may live right royally; The soldier ride in pomp and pride, The sailor roam o'er ocean wide; But this or that, vvhate'er befall, The farmer, he must feed them all. The writer thinks, the poet sings, The craftsmen fashion wondrous things; The doctor heals, the lawyer pleads, The miner follows precious leads; But this or that, whate'er befall, The farmer, he must feed them all. The merchant, he may buy and sell, The teacher do his duty well; But men may toil through busy days, Or men may stroll through pleasant ways; From king or beggar, whate'er befall, The farmer, he must feed them all. The farmer's trade is one of worth; He's partner with the sky and earth; He's partner with the sun and rain, And no man loses for his gain; And men may rise and men may fall, But the farmer, he must feed them all. God bless the man who sows the wheat, Who finds us milk and fruit and meat; May his purse be heavy, his heart be light, His cattle and corn and all do right; God bless the seeds his hands let fall, For the farmer, he must feed us all. 10 PROGRAM HELPS. (Numerals below refer to items on program) The success of the program, as outlined, depends on the interest in the occasion which has been aroused by the teacher. This is dependent on the interest the teacher feels in the organization of a Boys' Corn Club. Believ- ing that most of the teachers in Alabama are in sympathy with the Corn Club movement, which makes for better homes and schools, because it makes for better citizenship, the accompanying program is submitted, and the following suggestions made to aid the teacher in successfully carrying it out: 1, 9, 16. These songs will be found in a song book, entitled, "A Col- lection of Songs for the Public Schools of Alabama," published by Brown Printing Co., Montgomery, Ala. Price, five cents. If the teacher desires, other song may be substituted. Sing such songs as the children will sing well, and it is advisable to use only two or three verses in order that the pro- gram may not be too long. 2. A and B of this number are to be repeated by pupils as indicated. It would be better to have the selections memorized. If, however, for any rea- son, the teacher deems best, have them read. 3. This number is explained in program. 4. It would be well for the teacher to familiarize himself or herself with some phases of the work, and tell of same to the school. Material for such a talk from the teacher is given in the foregoing selections. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15. Be careful to assign these selections to those who will deliver them creditably. Selections 8 and 10 are to be read, the others should, by all means, be memorized and the children given some practice in deliver- ing them. Have 8 and 10 read several times before the program is rendered, in order that those reading them may become familiar with the words. 11. This number may be given by either boys or girls, or both, each giving a sentence. Each sentence should be memorized. 12. The teacher should endeavor to get some speaker to address the school on this occasion. Either the county superintendent, county demon- stration agent, a local minister, a lawyer, banker or business man from some nearby town will probably be interested to the extent that he will assist in the movement. The school trustees might consent to talk, and it is well to invite them. If one chief speaker cannot be secured, then ask three or four local farmers to speak for five minutes. When a speaker is invited state time of address, and suggest that he speak on a subject that will encourage the boys in agricultural work, and be of assistance in organizing a corn club. 13. If corn club work is to be a success in the school, the teacher must have a list of prizes to offer to the boys. It is well to raise funds for these before the meeting. Such can be done by giving some kind of a school en- tertainment, soliciting subscriptions from business men and patrons of the 11 school, and various other ways. Remember that a prize list will help in the work more than anything else. Such, together with personal visits to the acres of the boys, insures success. 14. Remember that all Alabama boys, between the ages of 10 and 18 years, are eligible to membership in your corn club. It is well to make an effort to secure members from among those boys who are not in school. If as many as five members are secured, it is well to organize a local club. This can be done by electing from the members a president, a vice-presi- dent and a secretary-treasurer, and adopting a similar constitution and by- laws (see pages 11-12). If fewer than five members join the club, it might be well not to attempt a local organization, but forward their names for membership in the county club. Literature will be forwarded the members promptly on receipt of their names. Only forward the names of those who are in earnest; one real worker is preferred to five "maybe so's." 17. Adjournment should be made at the end of an hour and a half. This can be done if the speaker or speakers of No. 12 will confine himself or themselves to thirty minutes. The program is only suggestive, and may be added to or taken from. It is well to invite the patrons of the school, and when such is done the teacher should see that a creditable pro- pram is rendered. NoTE.--The teacher, who will use wild flowers, corn, wheat, oats, pump- kins, and fruits for decorations on and about the stage, will add to the oc- casion and to the delight of the school and visitors. Request the pupils to bring such decorations, and ask certain of the patrons to assist in decorating. Make the occasion one of interest to all. 12 PART II CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND OTHER ESSENTIALS. SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION FOR SCHOOL CORN CLUB. ARTICLE I.-NAME. This organization shall be known as the-------.----School Boys' Corn Club of_ - -County, Alabama. ARTICLE II.-PURPOSES. The purposes shall be to make farm life more attractive and the profession of farming more profitable; to assist the public schools in teaching the fun- damental principles of agriculture in a more practical wey; to aid the State College of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, through the Farmers' Cooperative Demonstration Work, in carrying in- formation directly to the farms. ARTICLE III.-MEMBERS. Boys between the ages of ten and eighteen only, on January 1st of any given year, shall be reported as members to the Auburn office. ARTICLE IV.-OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. The club shall have a president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer and a committee on prizes, of which committee the teacher shall be chairman. ARTICLE V.-DUTIES OF MEMBERS. The duties of members shall be such as are outlined in the by-laws and rules governing contests. ARTICLE VI.-DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND CO ,ITTEES. The duties of officers and committees shall be such as are laid down for officers in similar organizations. ARTICLE VII.-AMENDMENTS. Amendments may be made by a majority vote of the club. SUGGESTED CLUB BY-LAWS AND RULES GOVERNING LOCAL CONTESTS. 1. Members of the club must agree to read all instructions and literature on Demonstration Club Work. 2. Each boy must plan his crop and his work. Boys under twelve years of age may have assistance in breaking and bedding land and in doing oth- er heavy work, provided same is charged against account. 13 3. No boy shall be allowed to contest for a prize unless he is a member of the School Corn Club. 4. Club membership is limited to boys between the ages of ten and eighteen. 5. The amount of yield by weight, and measurement of land must be certified to by each boy and attested by two disinterested parties. 6. Each member shall gather the corn on his acre and weigh it all in the shuck. He shall record the number of pounds of corn in the shuck, then weigh out 100 pounds of this corn, shuck same, shell and weigh the grain, and then record the weight of grain shelled from the 100 pounds of corn in the shuck. This will represent the per cent. of grain. Such per cent. multiplied by the entire yield, and the result devided by 56, will give the yield in bushels. 7. No member shall be awarded more than one local prize until every member has received a prize. 8. Every member of the local club who contests for prizes shall make an exhibit of his corn at the school and county fairs. 9. In estimating profits five dollars per acre shall be charged as rent of land. The work of each boy shall be estimated at ten cents per hour, and the work of each horse at five cents per hour. Manure shall be charged at the rate of $2.00 for each two-horse wagon load, and $1.00 for each one- horse wagon load. Commercial fertilizers shall be charged at their market value. No charge shall be made of leaves or muck hauled to the boy's acre by himself for the purpose of adding humus to the soil. 10. Teachers shall appoint all judges of school contests. 11. Meetings thall be held at time and place designated by the club. 12. In awarding prizes, the following basis shall be used: (a) Greatest yield per acre............ 30 points (b) Best exhibit of ten ears --- 20 points (c) Best written account of crop 20 points (d) Best showing of profit on investment 30 points Total -_ 100 points MEANS OF AROUSING AND HOLDING INTEREST. When the club is organized and its members are actively engaged in car- rying out the work which has been outlined for them, the question, "How am I to keep up this interest?" may present itself to the teacher. Below are given a few of the. many methods which have been successfully employed by teachers who have succeeded admirably with the work. (a) Talks from the local demonstration agent and any progressive farmers who are making successesof growing corn should be had from time to time. The teacher should extend written invitations to them in fhe 14 name of the club. The teacher should supply the demonstration agent with a list of the club members and invite him to visit their prize acres, as he makes his rounds from time to time. Those farmers who are cultivating crops according to government plans may be relied vp)n to give their cooperation in the work. (b) Within two weeks after the names of members of a club have been submitted they should begin to receive literature directing them how to proceed with the work. Additional literature will be mailed them from time to time as instructions are needed by the boys. Should any club mem- ber fail to receive literature, the teacher should notify either of the authors of this pamphlet, who will promptly supply same. The pamphlets once in the hands of the boys, they should be encouraged to familiarize themselves with the contents. 'l'hese pamphlets do not come so often that the teachers, having read them, could not afford to spend some time during school hours discussing their contents. They may be made the basis of several lessons in agriculture. (c) Encourage the reading of farm journals, one or more of those go to almost every home. Request your boys to clip out and bring to school any items of interest bearing on corn, which they may find in these journals, read same to them and follow the reading with a limited discussion by the club. Afterwards paste these clippings in a scrap book for future reference. (d) There is no surer way of interesting the home in the school than for the teacher to take the school to the homes of the patrons. Visit the homes of all club members and together with the boys and any members of their families, who can be persuaded to accompany you, go to the prize acres. In going over same with them, do not fail to see the good points in their work. In case you are not sufficiently versed in practical agriculture to know the good points, just look about for something that looks good to you. There is no better way to encourage and urge a boy to extra effort than to drop words of praise, where praise is due. Many teachers, especially women, do not understand the steps in corn growing. To these we would say, go to the field with the idea of taking lessons in pracrical agriculture from the boy, and give him to understand that he is teaching you something Your es- pecial sphere is that of organizer, and leader and a lack of knowledge of agricultural methods should not be a source of embarrassment, but a stimu- lus to you to learn, even at the hands of your pupils, truths which you have not had the opportunity of working out for yourself.