142 



Missouri Agricultural Report. 



the ground listening to that little, old machine splutter an Arab 

 song. There are ways of amusement that are refining and 

 helpful and stimulating, and it is up to the men and the women 

 who live in the country to think out the refined amusement, to 

 see that it is provided for these boys and girls. Now, I am dis- 

 cussing that under the subject of girls because I don't know 

 any kind of amusement that is as good as the amusement that 

 is had under the administration and in the companionship of 

 the girls. 



Farmers, let us think on these things and they will add to 

 the joy and comfort of ourselves and our wives and our sons 

 and our daughters. 



THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE ONE-ROOM SCHOOL. 



(Mrs. Marie T. Harvey, Porter Rural School, R. F. D. 2, Kirksville, Mo.) 



Note: One of the most interesting numbers on the Country Life Conference program 

 was the illustrated talk by Mrs. Harvey. Some sixty slides were shown. No report of 

 this address, even though it were possible to show each picture as presented, would do justice 

 to the high character of tliis address, an address disclosing a thorough understanding of 

 country conditions and delivered by an educated and cultured teacher whose life is being 

 devoted to a cause she loves. Rarely has it been the good fortune of Farmers* Week visitors 

 to listen to an address of broader vision, greater inspiration and more practical ideas. It is 

 to be regretted that it is not possible to publish the address in full. The following is given 

 more in the nature of a summary of what Mrs. Harvey said. Added to this are some facts 

 reported by Prof. George Melcher of the office of State Superintendent of Public Schools: 



To those of you who are familiar with my long and constant 



advocacy of the consolidated rural 

 school for Missouri my choice of a sub- 

 ject for discussion this afternoon, "The 

 Possibilities of the One-Room School," 

 may seem strange. You have heard 

 me insist that the consolidated rural 

 school is the one type of rural school 

 that can most efficiently serve the com- 

 munityj^ that the building and proper 

 conduct of such school would be the 

 best kind of business investment for 

 all taxpayers in the enlarged district. 

 In spite of this and at a time when a 

 progressive Legislature has not only 

 made the building of consolidated schools possible, but has 

 actually offered a premium for their erection by providing sub- 

 stantial State aid, making it possible for such districts to acquire 



Mrs. Marie T. Harvey. 



