122 The Transformation of the Rural School 



can be made just as interesting and quite as cultural 

 as any of the subjects in the general curriculum of the 

 schools. Wherefore, the rural dweller who catches 

 the spirit of such instruction should lead out in the 

 securing of public measures and public improve- 

 ments looking toward an early embodiment of these 

 new subjects within the prescribed course of study. 



DOMESTIC ECONOMY AND HOME SANITATION 



The time is now at hand when the district school 

 failing to give any attention to practical household 

 affairs is to be classed as out of date and unprogressive. 

 Well- written texts and pamphlets covering the home- 

 keeping subjects are now both available and cheap, 

 so that the excuse for deferring their use is approach- 

 ing the zero point. 



Of course it is impracticable as yet to have ap- 

 paratus for cooking and sewing installed in the one- 

 teacher district school, but the bare rudiments of 

 these subjects may nevertheless be taught with the 

 expectation that home practice may be thereby 

 improved and better understood. Perhaps the 

 most practical method of present procedure is that 

 of organizing an independent class of the girls of 

 suitable age and meeting them informally. The 

 texts and pamphlets furnished by the college ex- 

 tension departments may be followed. In case of 

 graded and high school courses this work should by all 

 means be carried on as a regular class exercise. 



