1262 New York State Aghiculturai. Society 



effective, these schools should be in operation during the summer. 

 This does not necessarily mean that the activities need always be 

 carried on within the building especially constructed for formal 

 instruction any more than the building need always be used for 

 formal instruction. At all times one or more of the teachers should 

 be in the community. As many as possible of the pupils should 

 be carrying on work all the time, in school, at home or elsewhere. 



An example of what may be done in connecting the work of the 

 school with the business of farming. During the past year the 

 teacher of agriculture at Walton was employed for twelve months. 

 A number of movements have been started which have created a 

 wide community interest. One which met with special favor was 

 the organization of com and potato-growing contests. Twenty-five 

 boys and girls of the to^vm were enrolled in these contests. The 

 members were visited during the summer by the teacher of agri- 

 culture. One public-spirited citizen contributed a suit of clothes 

 as first prize in the corn-growing contest and another contributed a 

 phonograph as first prize in the potato-growing contest. These 

 prizes were awarded at the Corn and Potato Congress held in 

 October in the high school auditorium. 



An experimental plot of between two and three acres was loaned 

 to the school by the fair association. Part of this land has been 

 set aside for school gardens for the lower grades. Suitable prizes, 

 donated by local merchants, were awarded to the owners of the 

 best gardens. The remainder of the land was used for plot tests 

 with corn, potatoes and alfalfa. Cornell seed corn was planted 

 and the results compared with those obtained from planting some 

 native seed corn furnished by a local grower. The three plots of 

 alfalfa attracted much attention during the week of the county 

 fair. Local farmers are much interested in this work. Men in 

 the community contributed the fertilizer, teams and implements 

 necessary to carry on these experiments. The Fair Association 

 also offered $30 in prizes in a plowing contest held during the 

 fair. A farmers' club is also in active operation and holds weekly 

 meetings during the winter. 



These schools must tie up with other agencies which are working 

 toward common ends. There must not be duplication of effort. 

 The state must not do it all. 



