CREDIT FOR HOME PRACTICE IN AGRICULTURE. 11 



The chief problem is to provide such records and such tests or exam- 

 inations that the credit may not become perfunctory, thus making 

 the plan a farce. 



These practicums should no more be a "snap" for securing school 

 credit easily than should other school work; neither should school 

 credit replace other motives, such as filial respect, willingness to aid 

 others, or loyalty to home and school. 



To illustrate concretely how to give credit for practicums, con- 

 sider that a pupil during the winter term of 12 weeks learns to run a 

 separator and also to test seed corn. Suppose that the separator 

 practicum is considered the equivalent of 5 recitations and the seed 

 testing as 10 recitations and that a rank of 100 is given for the first 

 and 85 for the second. The rank for seed testing counts as two-thirds 

 of the total rank for practicums ; hence 



Seed testiiig=2X 85= 170 



Separator =1x100= 100 



Total to be divided by 3 . . 270 

 Average rank for practicums, 90 per cent. 



If the pupil is studying agriculture and has 45 recitations during 

 the term with a rank of 80, the rank for the practicums would average 

 45+15 = 60 total periods. 



Recitation rank 80X3= 240 or U 



Practicum rank 90X1= 90 or -^ 



Total to divide by 4.. 330 

 Average rank in agriculture=82.5. 



In the absence of agriculture as a course, average as foUows: 



Recitation periods in term 240+15=255. 

 Practicums equal -^^ or -j^ of credit. 

 Recitation work counts ^r or average rank. 



All the exercises recognized should be adapted to local conditions. 

 The school officials and competent farmers should be asked to check 

 up the Ust and settle upon the credits due for each. Record of prac- 

 tice should be submitted. 



SAMPLES or BRIEF EXERCISES. 



Hoeing com, practice imtil sldll is acquired and a test on 50 hills for a rank. 



Hoeing potatoes, similar to com. 



Transplanting tomatoes or other plants, the test to be the doing of the work under 



observation. 

 Turning crank of milk tester within five revolutions per minute of the required 



number without a watch. Three consecutive trials. 

 Running the milk separator. 



Milking a cow skillfully and in an approved sanitary way. 

 Putting light harness on a horse and hitching to a Ijuggy without assistance. 

 Putting heavy harness on a team and hitching to wagon. 

 Driving from the seat and turning around where backing is necessary. 



