38 ADDRESSES 



supervise the schools of Turtlecreek township in Warren County and introduce 

 agriculture into the schools, he asked the pupils in each school who intended to 

 remain on the farm to raise their hands. Fifteen percent raised hands 

 indicating that they intended to remain on the farm. After the subject was 

 taught for four years, he again asked the same question. Eighty-five percent 

 indicated that they intended to remain on the farm. This is an example of what 

 the teaching of agriculture in the schools of Ohio is accomplishing. 



The boys and girls are beginning to see that Ohio has great agricultural 

 possibilities. School work is being more closely related to life-work than ever 

 before. The new agricultural work is improving country life conditions every- 

 where. There is fine co-operation where it never before existed. A better under- 

 standing between teachers and patrons has come about and conditions in Ohio 

 schools are travelling toward the ideal. 



Last winter I placed a few books on elementary agriculture within reach of 

 my little daughter of eleven years to see what she would do. She had been read- 

 ing fairy tales but on opening one of the books on agriculture she became so 

 absorbed that her mind was literally buried in that book for over an hour. 

 Finally she looked up and with a beaming countenance said, "Papa are we going 

 to study agriculture in our school?" I said no, my dear, you are not. And she 

 said with a changed countenance and pleading voice why not it is so interesting, 

 I am trying to rear my children under country influence as much as I can, be- 

 cause I believe it is the best influence under which children can grow. 



Nature is the most beautiful thing on God's green earth whether it is the 

 sunset sky with its glowing colors, the fleecy clouds floating in the air or the 

 flowers and animals of the fields. Have you ever stopped to think that what one 

 can see in an object depends upon his previous training or occupation. The 

 lumberman who goes through a forest sees the great trunks of great trees and 

 the saw logs they will make. He sees the commercial side of the forest. The 

 hunter goes through the forest. He sees no saw logs but soon discovers the 

 hole in the tree trunk which is the den of the raccoon or the other denizens of 

 the forest. He sees the pleasure side. The botanist who goes through that forest 

 sees the leaves of the trees, their buds and flowers, and the humble flowers and 

 vines which grow at his feet. He sees the scientific phase of that forest. Finally 

 there comes the poet who sees things none of the others have seen. He sees the 

 finer elements in nature. He sees those things which appeal to our finer sensi- 

 bilities, bring inspiration, and awaken the emotions in the heart of man that he 

 may sing the glory of the forest in song and verse. He who has never lived 

 in country appreciate literature. 



Agriculture is taught today in something like 10,000 elementary schools and 

 800 high schools in Ohio. This teaching is bringing the boys and girls in harmony 

 with their environment. It is leading them to see and appreciate the beauties 

 of their surroundings. The child who grows up surrounded by that which is 

 beautiful is going to develop a beautiful character. There is nothing but what 

 is good in most plants and animals and the child who grows up in the midst of 

 these is bound to imbibe some of this quality. 



If people from the city would spend their vacation in the country, it would 

 be far better and enjoyable for their children than to go to the seashore resorts 

 where everything is artificial and high except the low moan of the sea. 



The old forms of brutal punishment which were used when I was a boy 

 no longer find a place in our school rooms. Such subjects as agriculture create 

 an interest in our boys and girls, and it is interest which induces good school 

 work. There is a feeling of friendship between teacher and pupils, and boys 

 and girls behave without the rod because they wish to do what is right. As 

 far as the schools are concerned we are in the glowing dawn of a bright era. 



