40 COUNTRY CHILDREN 



In an increasing number of districts, school credit is 

 being allowed for home work. A boy who raises a hog, 

 swats a fly, or produces a pint of pure milk to feed a 

 sickly child is performing a patriotic service for his 

 country. He becomes an honorable part of the great 

 army that is doing the world's work. He is contributing 

 something valuable to our common life. Sooner or later 

 teachers will come to recognize such activities in grading 

 their pupils. 



23. Books. Unlike most farm crops, a child matures 

 slowly. The long period of infancy, childhood, and youth 

 greatly extends his opportunities for mind growth. And 

 during these years, if he has not formed the habit of loaf- 

 ing at questionable places, and if a fondness for good 

 reading has been awakened in school, he can greatly en- 

 rich his mind from the treasures of literature. 



Books are very valuable and very cheap. A farmer 

 needs a selected library, not only such books as pertain 

 to agriculture and rural life, but also juvenile books, 

 books of travel, history, fiction, poetry, and science. If 

 he is a lover of good books himself, he most naturally will 

 awaken a desire for good reading in his children. Thus 

 he may multiply the pleasures and profits of farm work, 

 and create a dislike for the low things of life. 



24. Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. The rural move- 

 ments, under the names of Boy Scouts and Camp Fire 

 Girls, seek to develop the spirit of sympathetic fellowship, 

 and to acquaint their members with a first-hand knowledge 

 of nature about them. For the Boy Scouts the motto is 

 " Know the secrets of the open country." Among their 

 first duties are the following : 



1. Know by sight and call ten common birds. 



2. Know by sight and track ten wild animals. 



3. Know by sight five common game fish. 



