No. 7. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 267 



the Educational Session of the farmers' institute was organized to 

 help remedy some of the defects. The Director of Institutes sug- 

 gested that a definite time be set aside to consider the improvement 

 of rural educational facilities. 



Every intelligent person knows that the future welfare of our 

 country depends on the physical and mental equipment of the rising 

 generation. If we prepare them to live completely, if we train them 

 to use their hands, their heads and their hearts to the noblest pur- 

 poses of life the glory of the future of our country can hardly be 

 imagined. 



Let us not forget that the scope of this institute work is as wide 

 as are rural human activities. The lecturer whose only ambition 

 is to tell folks how to plow, sow and reap better or who would rattle 

 off class-room platitudes in a mechanical, phonographic, humdrum 

 way has indeed missed his calling. If we would reach the people 

 we must be the people, must know their needs, not only from an 

 academic but a practical standpoint and not only must we know 

 but be able to present our message in an interesting and inspiring 

 way. We must inspire the mind and fire the heart of the hearer 

 so his hand may act in faith in the uplift we would bring to 

 humanity. 



I want to urge upon all lecturers the imperative need of this 

 work of rural educational improvement. Nothing you can bring to 

 the farmer, if properly presented, will be as helpful and as grate- 

 fully received as good, sound, intelligent advice and discussion in 

 line of improving rural educational facilities. We work towards 

 our ideals. The ideals we try to create or set up for our boys and 

 girls are the beginnings of the endings we see recorded in our daily 

 press. Work with your hands is a disgrace, the Dago can do that. 

 You must aim high. Study your books. Pass your exams. Em- 

 brace a profession. 



Behold the shyster, the fifth rate preacher, the poor cross-roads 

 sawbones, all trying to eke out a living in an honorable (?) way. 

 A steady stream towards the city to look up that honorable busi- 

 ness career where labor with the hands is eliminated. Then be- 

 hold the records of crime and divorce. We must have better 

 teachers, better school-houses, better school directors, better county 

 superintendents, and to get these we must have better, wiser and 

 more wide awake patrons of the rural schools. 



Now, there is no factor, no institution, no force of any kind that 

 can as quickly, as thoroughly and as sympathetically reach all these 

 people as the farmers institute lecturer. My friends you may be 

 a power for good in this work beyond your fondest dreams. Prepare 

 so you may look at this question from a broad gauge standpoint. 

 Study our educational system and trend, learn our sociological needs, 

 the mistakes of the past, the successes of the present and then be 

 ready to point to some practical solution. 



A word to the County Chairmen. You need and want the Educa- 

 tional Session. Select the best evening and always have it in the 

 evening unless you can have it on Saturday afternoon, because you 

 want to have the teachers attend. Interest the County Superin- 

 tendent so he will not only attend personally but will urge the 

 teachers within reach to attend. Interest some of the leading 



