258 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



changing the air from three to fifteen times per hour, so we have 

 a perfect ventilation. 



We also have sanitary drinking fountain, which does away 

 with drinking cups in any way and keeps a good, cool supply of 

 water in the building. 



In Johnson county there are one hundred forty-five rural 

 schools. Of this number there are but seven modern, five only 

 modern in both building and equipment. 



Now about the second improvement — the course of study. 

 I think the course of study for our rural schools should be so 

 arranged as to make agriculture the central subject, with stock 

 breeding, poultry raising, also the building of silos and soil 

 fertility, home economics, etc., so arranged with the present 

 subjects and making a ninth grade work. 



It has been brought to my observation very forcibly just 

 recently that the very best that many children could ever hope 

 for in the way of an education is what they get in the rural 

 school. Their parents are not able- to give them a higher edu- 

 cation, but the rural school may prepare them to combat the real 

 battles of life by giving them a knowledge of the work by which 

 they will make their living. 



The third improvement I wish to call attention to is the 

 teacher. We should have a qualified teacher, one who is com- 

 petent to give the very best of instructions. I think the time 

 near when a teacher holding only a third grade certificate will 

 be unable to find employment in our rural schools. 



It is not so bad for a teacher to teach one term on a third 

 grade certificate, but to do as some have in Johnson county for 

 fifteen, twenty and twenty-five years is certainly going the 

 limit and should not be considered at all. 



Now fourth, about co-operation. I think that parents 

 should co-operate with their children, beginning when they are 

 young to teach them to work, to take interest and pride in their 

 work. Give them something for their own so they can make a 

 little pin money for themselves. It makes them independent. 

 Then teach them to invest their little savings. It teaches them 

 to know the value of money. They will become interested in the 

 stock, the farming, the chickens and the housework. It teaches 

 them that your interest is their interest, that your business is 

 their business. It encourages them in school work. It broadens 

 their mind and will be the foundation of better manhood and 

 womanhood. By co-operating with the boys and girls and mak- 



