93° Rural School Leaflet. 



boys will come in contact with their fellows in a happy mood and learn 

 to give and take cheerfully. Later in the lives of the children, when 

 they have reached high schools and colleges, the stronger competitions 

 are helpful in development, but for the young folks let us have games 

 in which all can take part and in which the competition is not too 

 seriously taken. 



Before sending out a series of instructions for play and games, we would 

 like to get the opinion of New York State teachers and children on this 

 subject. We would also like the opinion of grangers and the farmers 

 who believe that fun should be a part of the daily life of young and old. 

 We should like all the grown persons who read this Leaflet, to write to 

 us telling of one or more games that you believe should be encouraged 

 at the present time or perhaps revised. As you have watched children 

 at play, what games have seemed to you most wholesome and most 

 important in developing stronger bodies, larger spirits, and power to get 

 along with associates? 



We should like to hear the opinion of the children on the matter of 

 play. On receipt of this Leaflet we wish you would ask the children 

 to write for you the game they like best to play, and if possible, ask them 

 how they play it. This will not take very long and you may be fostering 

 a helpful piece of work in your own state. Let us get near to the 

 children on this subject. We wish you would direct these letters to the 

 editor of the Leaflet and write on the envelope; "Playgrounds." 



LETTERS TO FARM BOYS 

 Letter No. 4 



The writer, in general with all boys, was once a boy among boj^s, and 

 probably no better or worse than the average. He passed through 

 the sporting, hunting, trapping, kite-fljdng, and other periods, the same 

 as the ordinary boy; and, as the snows of winter came and went, these 

 periods, together with boy ideals and experiences passed away. 



A natural inclination was ever manifest for mechanics and invention 

 but environment and obstacles had their influence the same as they have 

 had on the world's great majority of boys, past and present. Invariably 

 the natural bent of a child should be carefully studied and encouraged 

 by parents and friends. It should be fostered, yes, reverenced, if a proper 

 one, by the possessor, as success in any phase of life will be easier of 

 attainment if a boy loves his work. If a boy likes agriculture better 

 than any other calling, this ought to be his life work. He should study 

 and master the fundamental principles. This will awaken a deeper 



