SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIH. 863 



But can the average country boy be spared from the farm until he Is 

 20 or 21 years of age? If he could be spared it would be of some advan- 

 tage to him. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of college 

 training to any young man. His happiness and social efficiency in no 

 small degree depends upon the effect that college training has upon him. 

 It is the use of faculties trained to the widest range of enjoyment that 

 makes for the richest experiences in life. It is education that enriches 

 the life of individuals and nations. 



Let us look at Germany, which is training the hands as well as the 

 heads of its boys. Its entire school system is progressive and the 

 co.vntry is making great headway not only in science and art but in every 

 thing that goes to dominate in human affairs. What is Russia with its 

 large number of men and women who do not enjoy the learning and 

 the training that people of progressive nations do? As nations have ideas 

 and ideals, so they live and lead, and in that way are powerful. There 

 is nothing of greater advantage to any nation than when men are able 

 to direct their energies by the wisest methods for the most possible good. 



The country boy should have as far as he can an education that will 

 fit him for his chosen calling, be it that of a doctor, lawyer or farmer. 

 Let it be training in an agricultural college; it will help him to farm and 

 bring out habits of accuracy and stability in his work; it will furnish the 

 foundation for his successful career as a farmer. The country tioy has 

 quite a laboratory on the farm, and when his parents are reasonably 

 prosperous he has a fair equipment for experimentation. The worK 

 planned for him by his teacher will give him a course in scientific study. 



Manj' a country boy will be led to see the rare possibility for the 

 practical man in agriculture, the trained man. The day is at hand when 

 the successful farmer must have a special training in his own special 

 business. In the near future the man with the old-time methods will be 

 completely outclassed by the man with a training in his pursuit. The 

 day is not far distant when the bright boys and girls will not leave the 

 farm for the more active life of the cities of today. The successful opera- 

 tions on the farm require the close, careful and shrewd thought that 

 is demanded by cities' various complex lines of business. Head work 

 as well as hand work will find such a happy combination that many a 

 bright fellow will be drawn from the city and rush to the more tranquil 

 country atmosphere. 



