Report of Missouri Farmers' Week. 221 



term in connection with them. The writer is also quite sure that 

 this condition does not need to exist even in, the poorest district, 

 if the community wish it otherwise. 



Cleanliness is next to godliness and is also a very important 

 element in beautiful living. The first lesson in school art ought to 

 concern neatness in every detail of school life. A clean and tidy 

 schoolroom will help the individual pupils to be thoughtful in the 

 care of their persons and personal belongings as well as in their 

 actual book lessons. 



Very often an air of untidiness in a schoolroom is due to the 

 lack of places to put things. Inadequate shelf room makes it neces- 

 sary to pile books on the teacher's desk and the front seats. The 

 lack of a safe cupboard in. which to store lunch baskets makes it 

 necessary for each pupil to guard his own by placing it on the floor 

 under his desk beside his muddy overshoes. These things ought 

 to be provided as a part of every school equipment, but if they are 

 not they suggest the beginning place for art and handwork. The 

 available spaces may be studied and suitable and tasteful shelves 

 built in, at very small expense in money and a little effort which 

 will more than pay for itself in comfort. The designing of such 

 shelves to meet the needs of the class and to suit the space into 

 which they fit will furnish art study of more real value than any 

 offered in the ordinary drawing books. The making of the shelves 

 and other needed furniture by the pupils under the guidance of the 

 teacher will provide profitable experience, not only in art and 

 handwork, but in various related fields. 



Schoolroom walls, particularly in the country, are frequently 

 lacking in every element of beauty. A dingy plaster wall orna- 

 mented by a few cheap prints and advertising calendars plus some 

 cracks and breaks in the plaster is not apt to inspire the class with 

 any greater desire than to get away as soon, as possible. 



The study of art may be applied to the walls in the selection 

 of paint or paper of a good tone in tan, green or gray ; something 

 soft and restful which will give a plain background for a few good 

 pictures as the class is able to acquire them. If no funds are avail- 

 able for the purchase of necessary materials, enough can generally 

 be raised through entertainments and socials which are pleasur- 

 able as well. Often the actual painting and papering can be done 

 by the older pupils and volunteer help from the patrons. If the 

 teacher and the progressive mothers combine their energies a way 

 will be found, and the work will give opportunity for developing 



