Rural School Leaflet 1019 



we shall publish a letter from a rural school telling of some seed testing 

 work that was done for the farmers in the neighborhood. This is inter- 

 esting and valuable work, and in the next few years we expect that many 

 schools will take it up. In order to do good work with the testing, you 

 must be familiar with weed seeds that you will find in the farm seeds, and 

 be able to tell whether or not they are serious weeds and dangerous for 

 the farmers to plant. So begin to collect and study the weed seeds now, 

 and be ready for the work on seed testing in the January leaflet. 



We are trying to find out how many egg clusters of the apple-tree tent 

 caterpillar were destroyed by the schools last year. We asked the teacher to 

 send us a report on the blank on which she sent in your names for the leaflets 

 earh' in the year. If she did not do this, and you have a report to make, 

 send it to us now. In the January leaflet we shall teU you the result, and 

 I think every one will be surprised. Of course the tent caterpillars are 

 not all gone. There are plenty of egg clusters again this fall, and I exj)ect 

 to hear from many of you that you have been keeping up the good work. 



Since last spring I have met and talked with some of you. In May I 

 spent three days in Ontario County and \dsited six schools; in June there 

 was a school field day in Erie County, and we had a good time although 

 it rained ; in September I attended foiu" school fairs in Otsego County ; and 

 last month I was in Delaware County for three da^^s to see some exhibits 

 of school and contest work. We can never tell when we may see each 

 other, and when we do I hope you will not hesitate to teU me what you are 

 doing and of the things that interest you. There are so many of you that 

 I cannot possibly learn all j^our names and faces, but I am always ha])py 

 to have you speak to me, and we shall be better friends afterward. 



Your letters are coming in large numbers and I am interested to read 

 them all. It is a jileasure to find that almost always you remember to 

 put the district number and the name of the township and of the county 

 at the top of the letter. I am glad, also, that so many of 3'ou are writing 

 to me from home as well as from school. This makes me feel that at 

 home you are still interested in the school, and in the school you do not 

 forget the home. Last year about two thousand boys and girls wrote 

 three letters and received the gift picture that we sent, and many others 

 wrote once or twice. This letter in the leaflet is my message to you, 

 although sometimes I find time to write personal notes to those who send 

 me especially good letters. Write as often as you care to. Your letters 

 will be read and credited toward the picture, and I shall be glad to hear 

 of all that you are doing. 



Your friend, 



