1272 Rural School Leaflet 



AGRICULTURAL CONTESTS 



The Editors 



One of the most important movements in rural education, and one 

 that will continue to grow in importance from year to year, is the organ- 

 ization of agricultural contests for boys and girls. Teachers of rural 

 schools are in a position to be of great service in this work and it seems 

 advisable to give at this time a brief outline of its present status. 



The State College of Agriculture recognizes that agricultural contests 

 for boys and girls may produce results of great value in intellectual and 

 moral development, or they may indirectly harm the community. The 

 controlling factor is the point of view of the leader. Contests that educate 

 and train children are strong character-builders and they will doubtless 

 be conducted most wisely if the work is done under the direction of the 

 State Education Department. Throughout New York State many agri- 

 cultural contests for boys and girls are being conducted under the direction 

 of district superintendents of schools, who are responsible for the 

 educational work and who know local conditions. 



Last year we prepared a special leaflet on agricultural contests and 

 placed it at the disposal of the district superintendents, who are to order 

 copies for use as they think wise. We hope that eventually a copy of 

 this leaflet will be placed in every school library. 



Teachers can be of assistance to district superintendents by creating 

 local sentiment in favor of agricultural contests; by encouraging boys 

 and girls to enter them; by cooperating in following the contests during 

 the summer; and by helping with the arrangement and care of the exhibit 

 and the preparation of the program at the exhibition in the fall. Every 

 teacher in the community should work with the leader to make the con- 

 tests a success, to see that no child who enters fails to carry his work 

 through to a definite result, and to give encouragement and help to 

 contestants in hard places. 



We call these matters to the attention of teachers because we believe 

 that agricultural contests properly conducted have real educational value. 

 Teachers are in a position to be of great service in the enterprise and 

 we hope that they will take active interest in the movement. A personal 

 touch with boys and girls or with parents and neighbors increases the 

 teacher's opportunity to be a vital factor for good in the community. 

 Agricultural contests offer one more means of establishing a cooperative 

 spirit in the entire neighborhood. 



