moore] THE CONSOLIDATION OF RURAL SCHOOLS 321 



In closing, a few practical hints in regards to methods of working 

 up an interest for consolidation in your locality, may be acceptable. 



First, enlist the staunch support of the local newspaper or 

 newspapers of your town or county. Clip or write for them each 

 week for several months before you even mention consolidation 

 for your district, all of the material you can get favoring consolida- 

 tion. Tell the editors your plans, but no others. When the 

 time comes for you to make a public announcement, then have 

 the editors give you all the space possible and solicit for publica- 

 tions and favorable opinions of prominent men of your locality. 



Next get from the department of agriculture and department 

 of education at Washington, and from your home state, all of the 

 free printed matter that you can get, and distribute that among 

 those who are interested or opposed either. 



Another good preliminary plan is to secure the aid of a dozen 

 or more influential men and women and have them speak well of 

 it to others wherever and whenever you can. 



Gather data from the little schools which will give you accurate, 

 convincing facts regarding the following points in each school: 

 school, salaries, fuel, heating, janitor, repairs, books, supplies, 

 and to the above add any other special items of expense. Then 

 find the total annual expense of conducting each school, and the 

 total for all of the schools, then make an estimate of the cost of 

 transporting the pupils to the proposed new school and the expense 

 of conducting that school on the improved plan. It will not be a 

 difficult matter for a convincing speaker to make plain the saving 

 in cost and time, and the gain to the community and its children. 

 The day of voting should be preceded by a day or evening of 

 special lectures in favor of the proposition. The result should be 

 a favorable one. 



"I find sweet peace in the depth of autumn woods, 

 Where grow the ragged ferns and roughened moss; 



The naked, silent trees have taught me this, — 

 The loss of beauty is not always loss." 



— Elizabeth Stoddard. 



