56 



gradual extension of his knowledge to the other farms of the 

 community, he might be expected to stand ready in a similar 

 manner to be of assistance to the owners of those farms. 



3. The boy and his projects form a natural connecting link 

 between the farmer and his farm, on one hand, and the school 

 and its instructor, on the other. At the farm, the pupil deals 

 with the practical aspects of his projects; and at the school, with 

 their scientific aspects. The foregoing discussion has been de- 

 voted chiefly to the practical aspects of the proposed project 

 method of instruction. The present section lays strongest em- 

 phasis on the related study essential for the successful carrying 

 out of a particular project. 



Details of a Project Suitable for Third or Fourth Year In- 

 struction. Earlier in this chapter a project was dealt with 

 which might, for the most part, be successfully carried out by 

 a first or second year student. For the present discussion a 

 project has been selected which would require considerable 

 maturity of age, strength and training for its successful accom- 

 plishment. It is true that simpler problems in potato growing 

 have been successfully carried out by elementary school pupils ; 

 but even a glance over the elements which enter into the proj- 

 ect now to be outlined will show that problems altogether too 

 serious to be comprehended or undertaken by the younger pupil 

 are here involved. 



It is to be understood, of course, that the following project is 

 but one of many which might be selected. 



(1) Major Project. It is assumed that the boy has chosen 

 for his major project the development of a method for increas- 

 ing the profit from the potato crop customarily grown on the 

 home farm. It is further assumed that 5 acres of potatoes are 

 generally grown; that this year the crop is to be grown on 

 clover sod; that the variety of potatoes to be grown has been 

 chosen by the father; and that the boy's father is willing that 

 his boy shall have complete control of a given number of rows 

 of the 5-acre field, and shall be furnished the necessary tools 

 and materials for his project. 



(2) Minor projects necessary for carrying out the above 

 major project might then be as follows : 



