RURAL SCHOOL EDUCATION. 



I. TEACHING. 



In the State. — In the interest of New York State agriculture, 

 effort should be made to educate the children in rural districts in 

 terms of their environment. To this end the New York State Col- 

 lege is endeavoring to reach the farm children through the district 

 schools. The Cornell Rural School Leaflet is published monthly 

 for the purpose of giving to the teachers and children as many all- 

 round helps as possible for better living in the country. 



The Cornell Rural School Leaflet consists of two parts, one for 

 the teacher and one for boys and girls. In the Teachers' Leaflet 

 are suggestions and lessons relating to country life, given in peda- 

 gogical form for use in the schoolroom. The lessons in elementary 

 agriculture are prepared by specialists in the different departments 

 in the New York State College of Agriculture. There are lessons in 

 general outdoor study. We are making effort to emphasize the 

 importance of industrial education and also of directing recreation. 



The Leaflet for Boys and Girls relates to general outdoor study. 

 Effort is made to encourage the children to organize clubs in their 

 home district and to work together in learning some things thai; 

 will give them a deeper interest and more extended knowledge of 

 farm life and work. Special problems are sent to the children from 

 the College. Wholesome competition is encouraged and simple 

 prizes are offered for good work among the children. 



On January 29th, " Corn Day " was held in New York State to 

 give special interest in the improvement o^ corn. Several schools 

 celebrated this day, the boys making selection of good ears of corn 

 and exhibiting them at the schoolhouse and the girls preparing sim- 

 ple foods made from corn products. Some of the exhibits used 

 by the children for Corn Day in their own school were .sent to the 

 New York State College of Agriculture for exhibition during Farm- 

 ers' Week. This exhibit proved one of the most interesting features 

 of the school work. 



The Department of Horticulture oft'ered to send strawberry, rasp- 

 berry or currant j)lants to the first 100 children making application 

 for them. Hundreds of children sent in requests for the plants. 



