i4o8 Rural vSchool Leaflet 



The basket luncheon was held in one of the high school rooms, and the 

 exhibits were inspected by parents, children, and friends at one o'clock. 

 Mr. Edward M. Tuttle was present and talked to the children and older 

 folk at two o'clock. 



About fifty per cent of the children registered in the spring completed 

 the contest work. I believe that in most cases the children who failed 

 to complete the work were not to blame. I shall give a few illustrations. 

 The wet weather in June and July killed much of the com. The boy who 

 won the poultry sweepstakes prize last year set fifteen eggs and hatched 

 thirteen fine chicks. He took the best care of them and raised twelve. The 

 rule was that each poultry contestant was to exhibit one cockerel and one 

 pullet. This boy found that he had all pullets and was debarred. Another 

 boy in the same school district raised all cockerels. Floyd Clark had a 

 fine garden, yet when he come to har\^est it, he found that all of the root 

 crops had spoiled. However, he took the first prize on cabbages, and 

 both he and his father were as proud as kings. 



The highest prize awarded was five dollars in cash as a sweepstakes 

 prize. It happened that this prize went to a boy who sent his fowls in 

 care of his sister, for he was sick in bed. We find that cash prizes are 

 satisfactory. Merchandise is of great value especially if it is something 

 that the pupil can keep. Pure-bred fowls, aluminum cooking utensils, 

 and many other things are excellent, while pocket knives never come 

 amiss. 



Two of the first questions asked by those who are planning to organize 

 these contests are: "What is the expense, and how do you raise the nec- 

 essary funds?" Our expenses for this year's contest and fair were : postage 

 and supplies, $5.95; printing, $5.50; judges, $3; and prizes, $47; a grand 

 total of $61.45. vSeveral prizes were not earned, among them being one 

 of twenty-five dollars for a half-acre potato contest for boys over sixteen 

 and under twenty-one years. As a rule the bill for printing will be nearer 

 $15 than $5. 



It was hard to get contributions for the first contest. The people were 

 skeptical. When the account was closed, there was a deficit of about 

 $20. This year there have been ten small contributions to one of the 

 year before. Small contributions are the ones to seek. The ultimate aim 

 with us is to get the support of each family. Only fifteen or twenty 

 cents from each family will be necessary to furnish funds in plenty; 

 yet these people by contributing will become cooperators, and as co- 

 operators will have a deeper and more lasting interest in the movement. 

 Some communities desire to contribute as school districts. This year the 

 smallest and poorest district contributed $2.75. This district offered to 

 contribute and was pleased to feel that it had a share in the enterprise. 



