1046 Rural School Leaflet 



l)ut there were the pleasant experiences of gaining the confidence of the 

 chickadees and of receiving their welcome visits. Every rural school 

 can do many things to attract the birds during the winter season, and 

 interesting observations can be made while the birds are eating the food 

 supplied. Ask your teacher to read again to you Doctor Allen's article 

 on How to Attract Wild Birds, which begins on page 12 of the September 

 leaflet. 



District I, Town of Van Buren, Onondaga County 



Baldwinsvillc, New York, April S, 1914 

 Dear Mr. Tuttle: 



Since we have received the prize ears of com of Onondaga County, I 

 thovight I would write a letter to you. 



The name of the school that I attend is called Pleasant Valley school. 

 It is about three miles and a half west of Baldwinsvillc. My teacher's 

 name is Mr. Silas F. Parry. 



I like to read the little leaflets that come from Cornell, and from reading: 

 these we decided to celebrate Com Day. In the leaflets there are many 

 interesting things that I like to read. We held Com Day on December 5, 

 1913. During the day we decorated the schoolhouse with com and 

 cornstalks. We also planned to have a box social so that we could buy 

 a new recitation seat. We also asked Professor Maxwell of the Jordan 

 High School to speak upon growing com. We lighted the schoolhouse 

 with lanterns. The farmers had a good talk with Mr. Maxwell on farm 

 questions. The school collector sold the boxes. There were about sixty 

 persons to it. I think they all had a good time. 



At the Christmas exercises we had an organ loaned us for the rest of 

 the year to help us in the singing. We asked the older people to help 

 us in the singing. There were about seventy persons to it. 



Later on we had a spelling school for the old and for the young people. 

 The old people spelled the young people down. 



On the twelfth of February, 19 14, the older people gave an entertain- 

 ment. The older people were in all the dialogues but one. The children 

 spoke a few pieces. We lighted the schoolhouse with bracket lamps and 

 lanterns. Before the exercises commenced we sold popcorn and candy. 

 The money was counted up and there was four dollars and eighty cents. 

 We are going to buy some more bracket lamps 'with the money. 



These meetings have made the schoolroom pleasant for the children 

 by buying a new seat and pictures and creating interest in the school. 



We are going to have two weeks of vacation — this week and next. 

 We have cleaned up the school yard some and are going to clean it up more 

 when we go back. I am very interested in nature study and have read 

 some books. We are going to have some gardens this year. There is to 

 be a prize given for the best garden. On Arbor Day we are going to have 

 another entertainment in the evening. I remain 



Yotir friend, 



ERWIN AUYER 



