322 RURAL NEW YORK 



Act by which the federal government makes a large 

 money contribution to each State based on its popula- 

 tion. This contribution is duplicated dollar for dol- 

 lar by state appropriation for the promotion of vo- 

 cational instruction and for the training of teachers 

 for that purpose. The quota of federal money re- 

 ceived by New York under the provisions of this act 

 amounted in 1920 to $360,663, and will increase until 

 1925. 



Agriculture is taking its place on a par with indus- 

 trial training in secondary institutions, as an integral 

 part of the educational system. Courses of instruc- 

 tion above the grades are always elective to the pupil 

 and there is no purpose to force the individual into 

 any particular groove but to afford him the freest 

 and most natural opportunity to choose his life work 

 and to take account of the probabilities based on 

 situation and sex. 



Agriculture of a secondary character is being more 

 clearly recognized to belong in the vocational group 

 and to be placed properly in the high-schools. Vo- 

 cational work is only a part of a course and must be 

 prepared for and backed up by cultural and training 

 work. This backing the high-school already affords. 

 Not every high-school should necessarily give instruc- 

 tion in agriculture but enough schools should be 

 selected to meet the needs of every part of the State 

 at points nearest home and best situated to give 

 such work. 



Encouraged by State aid in the payment of teach- 

 ers of agriculture and home economics, sixty-nine 



