blood] grade prospects— the POULTRY CLUB 319 



the Poultry Club." But when he was informed that he would 

 have to sell his stock for what he could get, and, in addition to this, 

 pay his share of the indebtedness, he decided to stick until the 

 money market improved. After due deliberation, the Club decided 

 to continue the business and proceeded to devise ways and means 

 to pay the principal and interest due at the bank and to keep afloat. 

 They sold some chickens, increased their membership, voted to 

 allow members to hold more than one share, and secured a new 

 loan for a smaller sum and a shorter time. 



There are a few pupils in the grade that do not belong to the 

 Club, but they solve all problems, attend the meetings, participate 

 in the discussions and all other educational features, and occasion- 

 ally volunteer to help care for the chickens. 



All take a keen interest in the arithmetic involved and some rank 

 differently in the class when solving these problems than they do 

 when working from a book. After they secured their first loan 

 some of the ' ' duller' ' ones could figure the interest without a pencil 

 while some of the "brighter" ones failed. Their problem was: 

 " If we have to pay six cents for the use of $i.oo for one year, how 

 much will we have to pay for the use of $10.00 for one-half year?" 

 The eggs are brought daily to the school room and sold to the 

 highest bidder. All figure the problem and thus get practice in 

 handling all fractions from halves to twelfths. 



Each one in the grade acts as book-keeper for the Club. All bills 

 are paid by check and each one keeps a check book, but only the 

 Treasurer's signature is valid at the bank. Each one keeps the 

 minutes of the meetings and attends to the correspondence of the 

 Club as if he were the Secretary. This correspondence includes the 

 writing of business letters and letters of appreciation to friends. 

 These letters are read and discussed, the good points are com- 

 mended and then all make another effort. The best letter is then 

 selected for the Secretary to copy. 



Nearly all the duties of the Club are performed by committees. 

 There is a committee on information whose dtity it is to consult 

 poultry fanciers concerning the best methods of conducting the 

 business while all the members are encouraged to read literature 

 on the subject and report to the Club. 



We selected the Fifth Grade for this industry because it is in this 

 grade that we emphasize fractions, the kee]jing of accounts and 

 letter writing. 



