DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 59 



11. Agriculture in Rural Schools. — Duriug the year I have coun- 

 seled with many county commissioners of schools in regard to instruc- 

 tion in agriculture. I have prepared a course of study which is to be 

 ju'inted by the Department of Public Instruction in the State Course 

 of Study for rural schools. The course in general includes nature study 

 in the first four grades, gardening in the 5th and 6th grades, and in- 

 struction by means of textbooks and out of door exercises for the 7th 

 and Sth grades. I sent out a questionaire to each county commissioner 

 asking for information as to what has been done already along these 

 lines. The reports from 44 counties show that some instruction in agri- 

 culture is given in 1,135 schools, and in 26 counties boys' corn-growing 

 clubs have been organized. 



In addition to the work directed in these corn contests by the county 

 commissioners, the county Y. M. C. A. in five counties conducted con- 

 tests. In addition to these, in a few counties potato contests are in 

 progress for the current year. 



These reports shoAv, also, that in 10 villages and schools regular in- 

 struction in school gardening is given, with a garden exhibit in the fall. 



Thus it will be seen that considerable interest is being manifested 

 on the part of the patrons and children of rural schools, and the county 

 commissioners of schools are alive to the benefits which can be derived 

 from the elementary instruction which has already been planned. In 

 this connection it may be said that the teachers of rural schools who 

 have received their training in our State Normal Schools or in the 

 County Normal Training Classes, have received some definite instruc- 

 tion along these lines, and are thus prepared to advise and direct in- 

 telligent work on the part of the children. 



It occurs to me that if we could call a meeting of the county com- 

 missioners of schools at the college, at some time during the winter 

 season, we might give them some helps and some suggestions that would 

 be of value, especially along the line of conducting boys' and girls' clubs 

 in agricultural activities. 



Respectfully submitted, 



WALTER H. FRENCH, 

 Professor of Agricultural Education. 



East Lansing, June 30, 1912. 



