286 THE NA TURE-STUD Y REIVE W [4:9-dec, 1908 



unique method of working and organizing its forces. These 

 clubs promise much for the future. 



"Work among the young people of the county who are largely 

 residents of the farming districts has not been wholly desultory in 

 its character. Corn contests have been held. Three country 

 schools have done some work with the Babcock tester. This 

 aroused unusual interest among the farmers who are patrons ot 

 the country schools. It touched the home on the economic side, 

 this being a dairy county, and established a strong point of con- 

 tact between the school and the home. The introduction of that 

 phase of agriculture into the schools that has closest economic 

 reference to the community life cultivates a school sentiment that 

 will not only "permit" the general study to be introduced into 

 the country school, but will demand its introduction. 



• ' A Dairy JudgingContest was held in one community last spring. 

 The school lasted for two days. During this time the boys, and 

 the girls too, received instruction from a University man on the 

 characteristics of a good dairy cow. The third day was devoted 

 to the contest. Thirty-two contestants enrolled, twenty-four 

 boys and eight girls and a high school girl won. She will be given 

 her expenses to the short term of the University during the com- 

 ing winter. We are planning two more contests. 



"The school teachers of the county have not been idle. They 

 have done the best they could with the time and equipment at 

 hand. Sewing has been taught in the schools. Household arts 

 has received some attention. Agriculture, as stated before, has 

 been attempted with some degree of success. One of our city 

 systems, Marengo, has introduced this subject into its eighth 

 grade for the coming year. School-gardens have been planted 

 and tended in many schools of the county for the past four or five 

 years. This fall, though the ground is dry for five feet below the 

 surface, the county superintendent in his visitations has seen 

 several flower beds in school yards with the flowers still blooming, 

 and in two instances the yards were unfenced. This indicates 

 initiative and perseverance on the part of the teachers. 



"On the whole we feel that we are doing some things that need 

 to be done and that our county is better for the doing." 



Co. Supt. 0. J. Kern, of Winnebago County, is known through- 

 out the country for his advanced stand for the country school. 

 Consolidation of rural schools, beautifving buildings, rooms and 



