976 Rural School Leaflet 



Another type of contest has become very popular, and wherever pos- 

 sible it should be adopted since it is much more educational than the 

 above. (Page 1017.) In this contest the prize is awarded not only for 

 quality but also for economic production. In some cases, prizes have been 

 offered for the largest yield per acre and for no other consideration. Such 

 contests, however, have not been altogether satisf actor y, as the largest 

 yields may be raised in a very unpractical way, the grower using very 

 large amounts of manure and increasing his yield regardless of cost. A 

 more satisfactory plan is the one used in the Southern States, in which 

 yield, cost of production, quality, and story of crop-raising are to be con- 

 sidered. The basis of award for a corn contest of this kind is as follows: 



Greatest yield per acre 30 per cent 



Best showing of profit on investment 30 per cent 



Best exhibit of ten ears 20 per cent 



Best story of crop production 20 per cent 



The contestants are judged according to their comparative standing 

 in all the four points, and the one scoring the highest total is declared the 

 winner. In addition each contestant keeps a complete record of his work. 

 Sample blanks for these records will be found under each contest in 

 Group II. 



PRIZE DAY PROGRAM 



Very often the exhibition for the entire district or county is held at one 

 place A good-sized hall is engaged for the purpose, and suitable tables 

 and racks provided for the exhibit. Additional prizes are often 

 offered for decorative articles made from economic plants — such 

 as mats, hats, and the like, made from corn husks — or for maps and signs 

 made by using grains of different colors. Such exhibits are attractive. 



On prize day everything should be in place by nine o'clock 

 in the morning, so that the judges will be able to finish their work by 

 noon. In many places a picnic lunch can be held, the parents coming 

 with their children and staying all the afternoon. The program may 

 take place at a convenient hour and, if possible, should be given in the 

 building in which the exhibition is held. It may consist of music, essays, 

 and recitations by local talent, and conclude with a talk by the person 

 who judged the- exhibits or by the district superintendent. It may be 

 made the occasion for extending the organization and laying out plans 

 of work for another year. 



PRIZES TO BE OFFERED 



Every boy and girl should be taught the real meaning and value of a 

 prize, and that a realization of work well done is the true reward of effort. 



