A Weekly Half Holiday 159 



greater satisfaction, and a richer life wait on the wise 

 development of this recreative ideal." 



A brief survey of the neighborhood will doubtless 

 show the lack of general method in dealing with the 

 farm boys' and girls' holidays and vacations during 

 the long summer months. Here, then, is apparent 

 another field for constructive leadership. In pro- 

 ceeding to change the present situation, it may be 

 well to gather a considerable list of authoritative 

 statements like the one just quoted. Farm parents 

 gradually fall into the habit of over-working their 

 half-grown children. Now, if we can institute a 

 custom of weekly half holidays for the young people 

 of the neighborhood, a splendid work will be done 

 in behalf of a higher community life. 



Begin work by selecting an attractive central 

 location, and plan that the young, and the older ones, 

 too, may come to this place one afternoon every week, 

 or at least two afternoons every month, and have a 

 good time generally. Games may be played, local 

 clubs may meet in the shade of the trees, the sewing 

 society and other groups of women having their in- 

 terests served. The farmers' clubs may have op- 

 portunity for helpful exchange of ideas, while the little 

 children may play and romp about the premises. 

 Invite all to come early in the afternoon and bring 

 an evening lunch to be enjoyed in common. Thus, 

 you may give the young people who regard their 

 everyday work as drudgery, such interest and in- 



