576 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



per cent of the schools are teaching some needlework at the 

 present time. 



Last September Miss Bell, institute lecturer for the State 

 Board of Agriculture, was looking for a place to start a model 

 school in the teaching of home economics. Visiting Camp 

 Branch school, she at once decided that she had found the right 

 school, and when the matter was presented to them they 

 promptly raised the money for the equipment, which was in- 

 stalled in a small fuel room fitted up as a kitchen, and since 

 that time the class of five young "home makers" prepare and 

 serve lunches to the other classes in the school, the materials 

 being furnished by those who are to enjoy the lunch. 



HOME ECONOMICS IN RURAL SCHOOLS. 



(Bab Bell, Institute lecturer, Missouri State Board of Agriculture.) 



The rural school, the subject of much discussion in the 

 past as well as the present time, is again coming into prominence. 

 The feasibilty of introducing home economics into the one-room 

 school is being considered. The main arguments against the 

 work are lack of funds, teacher's lack of training, and in a case 

 a man is employed, how could the subject be presented? 



In the first place, we realize that whenever as much money 

 is expended on the rural school as on the city school — ^then, 

 and only then, will we have good schools. Consolidation is 

 advocated and seems to be a real solution to the problem. 

 However, this movement was started several years ago, and 

 although we feel certain that eventually all will be well we 

 know that it will take time. 



While we wait for consolidation what are we giving our 

 girls to prepare them for their life work? The city schools are 

 giving excellent training to the boys and girls. In the rural 

 schools the boys have agriculture as it is required in the State 

 course of study. Home economics is in the State course of 

 study, but it is not required. Many teachers, seeing the need 

 of this work, are voluntarily introducing it. Of course, it 

 takes work and a vital interest in the school. 



T. R. Luckett, superintendent of the Pettis county schools, 

 is endeavoring to introduce the work of home economics in 

 the schools of his county. Camp Branch school, a one-room 

 rural school seven miles from Sedalia, was selected as a demon- 

 stration center. 



