EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X. 689 



how to test milk. The demand for it is great. There is a wonderful field 

 of work in this line and the general weeding out of worthless cows could 

 be secured through the schools more quickly and effectively than in any 

 other way. Not all boys are born scholars, but there is not a boy alive 

 who cannot be interested in a Babcock tester and in working with it he 

 will learn more practical knowledge, gain more in accuracy of judgment, 

 than from all the text-books he has ever been compelled to pore over. 



This account of our work in Page county would not be complete, or at 

 least the boys and girls.in the schools would not think so, unless something 

 were told about "their tulip beds." Three thousand tulip bulbs were 

 divided among the schools of the county, with directions as to the plant- 

 ing and caring for them. The pupils themselves, under the direction of 

 their teachers, planted the bulbs with due regard to soil and drainage. 

 Now, under a covering of leaves, the bulbs are preparing for their bright 

 burst of blossoms which will help beautify every school ground next 

 spring. Tulips were chosen because they are sure to blossom and to blos- 

 som before the schools are out in the spring. Also because it was hoped a 

 bright tulip bed in every school ground would help in the campaign for 

 better and more attractive school houses and grounds. 



"We feel that we have made only a beginning, and can see far greater 

 things to be accomplished in the future along these lines. But we have 

 tried to make our beginning of the kind that counts; to take up the work 

 in a common sense, practical way; to keep close to the ground and get 

 some result from our work; and, above all, to create a public sentiment 

 that will appreciate the value and vital importance of such work in the 

 training of boys and girls. Already there is a greater interest shown in 

 the schools because these things are being considered. 



Ian MacLaren said just before his death, "I'll tell you the problem of 

 Iowa is not a political or industrial one; it is the problem of the bairns 

 scattered over your prairies." A weak ear of corn — a nubbin — you can 

 sort out and throw to one side, but if the training of the boys and girls 

 in our commonwealth does not bring out the very best in even the weak- 

 est of them, if it does not fit them to deal intelligently and successfully 

 with the very problems they are to meet, then it is time that we made it 

 such that it will do this. That is why we believe thoroughly in this line 

 of work in Page county. 



RURAL EDUCATION. 



From Pennsylvania DEPAETiiENT of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 157. 



By Dr. A. C. True, Director Experiment Station, U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture: 



Washington, D. C. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to come 

 to Pennsylvania and, in some slight measure, get in touch with your 

 Farmers' Institute work. You have given me an important subject to 

 discuss, but I shall hardly undertake at this late hour to more than touch 

 upon certain phases of it. 

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