Proceedings of Seventeenth Xormal Institute 181 



wasted effort, lamentable, but we must realize that when an enter- 

 prise of any kind is started and is then abandoned, it is many 

 times more difficult to start a similar enterprise in that section, 

 and it has also the effect of raising a barrier against advance work 

 of every kind. 



Much of the training should be spent in instilling into these 

 young men an appreciation of the qualities which make for suc- 

 cess in this particular — as well as in any other — calling. It is 

 surprising what can be done in cultivating the imagination, in 

 giving vision to men, particularly in the formative period. Call 

 this idealism, if you will, but I wish to go on record as saying to 

 you instructors that no matter how thoroughly you may indoctri- 

 nate your students with the subject matter of their studies, if you 

 have failed to give them right conceptions of life as a whole, you 

 have not given them the best, and you have lost a splendid oppor- 

 tunity for service. 



Next, a more careful examination into the general character 

 and ability of the applicant to fill the particular position. While 

 the perfect man does not exist, it is much better to defer starting 

 an association to which you do not propose to give this super- 

 one whose qualifications are, to say the least, questionable, simply 

 to get going. The last state is worst than the first, as not a few 

 monumental failures plainly testify. 



better supervision 



Having done the first and most important work, next comes the 

 matter of supervision. This is well-nigh impossible from the de- 

 partment, and should not be necessary where the associations 

 are in farm bureau counties. I bear testimony from the stand- 

 point of a man who has employed and supervised labor of various 

 sorts for nearly forty years, that the fact of close supervision es- 

 tablishes and maintains high standards of work, by example as 

 well as precept; by kindly criticism, never forgetting, whenever 



possible, words of encouragement and appreciation. This has 

 always helped to hold a well-intentioned man to his best efforts, 

 and many times has instilled desirable qualifications in one who 

 naturally lacked them. Left alone they drift and deteriorate. 

 I urge you farm bureau men not to ask for aid in organizing 



