58 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



which they were organized have so changied, as to demand a read- 

 justment of the old; not to destroy it, but to reorganize it; not to 

 lessen its influence, but to increase it; not to narrow its work, but 

 to broaden it; not to belittle its power, but to encourage it in ways 

 it never before possessed. What, then, is the seeming solution of 

 the problem? To my mind, as well as to the minds of many friends 

 who have given it serious thought, it is the consolidation of schools 

 and the transporting of pupils at public expense. There is no tramp- 

 ing through snow and mud, and the attendance is greatly increased, 

 and much more regular. The item of expense I pass over in this 

 i-eport, but no one, even the most critical, need hesitate to approve 

 on account of the expense. We should not consider school ques- 

 tions alone from the standpoint of expense. School work is not . 

 unlike other things; we cannot get something for nothing, but it 

 can be proven to be a positive saving to the taxpayers, at the same 

 time offer advantages to every rural school pupil, as good as those 

 now enjoj'ed in towns or villages. If centralization is a good thing, 

 we want it; if it is not, we want to know why it is not." 



Prof. Gramley, Superintendent of the schools of Centre county, 

 reports as follows: "The centralization of rural schools, which com- 

 prehends township high schools and free transportation of pupils, 

 is legalized. Let us try to create a sentiment in favor of both of 

 these laws, and we will ultimately have better houses, more adequate 

 school apparatus, increased attendance, fewer but better teachers 

 with higher salaries, better grades, more effective supervision, and 

 possibly an enlarged curriculum, yet a reduction in the total cost. 

 If the principle of concentration is permissible in the business 

 world, why not apply it to the rural school question?" 



These superintendents make these several reports, giving their 

 estimate of consolidation, and unanimously endorse it. Surely the 

 sentiment in favor of centralization of rural schools in Pennsylvania 

 is growing, and needs only a little encouragement to rapidly spread 

 over the entire State. 



The way is now open for the improvement of our rural schools, 

 and it is incumbent upon all who believe in giving the country 

 boy and girl a chance, to devote some time and effort to instruct 

 ing those who now are undecided what is best to do. Let the 

 truth be faithfully and clearly stated, that there can he no material 

 improvement of the country schools ivithout consolidation^ and that 

 there can he no great advance made in our agriculture^ until hetter 

 rural schools are provided. 



The future farmer must have a knowledge of the science of agri- 

 culture if he would succeed in the competition that has set in, 



