Rural School Leaflet. 909 



I am perfectly satisfied with the results of my venture for it succeeded 

 much better than I expected. 



To sum up, I have found that the results of importance were these: 

 first, it supplied good occupation for the children in which they were 

 interested; second, it cultivated a taste for a garden which was shown 

 by some of them planting a garden at home and their taking home plants 

 from the school garden at the close of school to transplant; third, it 

 made a precedent in the district; fourth, it taught some facts con- 

 cerning agriculture; fifth, best of all I found, in talking with the farmers, 

 parents of the children, that they were interested and talked among 

 themselves about the work and praised it. I think they will be desirous 

 of having the work continue next year. 



LETTERS TO FARM BOYS 

 Letter No. 3 



Batavia, N. Y. 



Dear Friends: 



I am on the farm because it is the most independent and healthful 

 of all occupations. I can have all the advantages of the city without 

 its disadvantages. 



The possibilities for advancement are great. There being so many 

 branches that one may develop an extensive business, even on a small 

 farm, and if he chooses, the farmer can make a start with small capital. 

 He may start with something he can do best, and after he has mastered 

 that branch and has it on a paying basis, he can build up some other 

 line, and so on as long as he wishes. 



He can build up a poultry business or a good dairy; he can go into 

 sheep raising or general farming; he can raise small fruits or vegetables 

 for city markets; and if he puts the same amount of energy into his 

 business as do some of the successful men in other lines, his business is 

 bound to succeed. 



I like to be around animals; to watch them grow and try to develop 

 their highest qualities. It gives me great pleasure to be the owner of a 

 fine herd of cattle, a flock of fine sheep, or some good horses. I like to 

 study the growth of plants; how they get their food and what they re- 

 quire ; and to work out the methods of how to produce the largest growth 

 and the best plants. 



In the summer evenings I enjoy going through the fields and seeing 

 how straight we have made the rows and how mellow we have made the 



