418 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE . Off. Doc. 



method rewards those who reach a high standard; the compulsory 

 method punishes those who fall below it. It appears to me that the 

 two plans may be harmonized and used together, although independ- 

 ently. 



While a strong movement is on foot to provide a better market for 

 the best milk, should not means be taken to improve the dairies of 

 the lowest class that are holding down the average quality of milk 

 and the price as well? Since milk is not usually sold in such a way 

 as to carry with it the name of the producer, as a trade mark, a 

 purveyor of milk carrying germs of filth or disease injures not only 

 his own customers but he injures the general market by causing fear 

 or disgust and thus he hurts all producers. 



I suggest to you the need for a minimum standard to govern milk 

 and the condition® under which it is produced; a standard that can 

 easily be reached, one that is now not only reached but is surpassed 

 by the great majority of producers, but one that will afford a reason- 

 able protection against dangerous conditions and re-establish and 

 increase confidence in this valuable food and most important product 

 of the farm.. 



EDUCATION FOR COUNTRY CHILDREN. 



BY MR. J. S. BURNS, Clinton, Pa. 



We have reached a time in our history as a people when the illiter- 

 ate and uneducated can no longer cope in the great struggle of life. 

 The time was when it w^as thought that a farmer did not need much 

 education; but we are glad that this idea is fast being dispelled, and 

 that advances are being taken with a view to raising him to a higher 

 plane of intelligence and excellence. The time has come when the 

 country boy, if he be a winner in life, must have an even start, and 

 stand upon equal footing, from an educational point of view, with 

 that of his urban cousin. And having this even start he will be the 

 winner, because reared in the country in the midst of health-giving 

 environments, and where his inventive powers and his good practical 

 common sense is ever being brought into active service, he will be 

 endowed with that brain and brawn so notable in the country boy, 

 thus giving him that pluck, energy and force of character, so often 

 found among the great men of the land. For it is a noteworthy fact 

 that some of the brightest intellects of which the professions, or 

 this nation can boast, have had their origin on the farm. 



Then the question very naturally arises, how can our country boys 

 and girls get this needed qualification for an even start in life? We 



