Mondovi High School - Mirror Yearbook (Mondovi, WI)

Page 10 text:

Agriculture. James M. Coyner, Instructor. AGRICULTURE IN THE GRADES. It would hardly seem necessary to argue that such a subject as Agriculture deserves a place in the grades of our public schools. This branch of study is of very vital concern to every child in the school, lie may or may not become a farmer. If he does, then his early instruction is that branch of study should make it easier for him to earn a living. If he does not follow that occupation then it is still important to know something of the ptoducticn of some of the staple necessaries that we eat and wear in order to make him an intelligent citizen. Agriculture means the raising of plants and animals, and unless we actually teach animals in such a course, then it has fallen short of its real mission. A good deal of the Agriculture that is taught in the public schools reallv amounts to very little. One of the most important reasons for this state of affairs is because teachers haven’t been trying to teach any very definite parts of the broad subject. They get tot) far away from the pupil’s own experience. There isn’t enough to practice in it. People are interested in the things which thev know something about. Everybody is more interested in domestic rather than in foreign affairs. Local interest always supersedes that of national scope. School children are no exception to this general principle of interest. They manifest great interest in things that concern their home life. The purchase of the stove or of a new carpet is an event of not small importance. The buying of a buggy, horse or a cow is an epoch in their small lives. Home project work in connection w;il' the class room work has been found to workj well at Mondovi. Each boy of .ie seventh and eighth grades is growing a flowering plant of his own. None of these are expensive plants—they do not need to be so. Most of the plants are slips out from geraniums of foliage plants, or bulbs. The boys all brought their plants to school for inspection. Suggestions were given about decorating the jars with paint or paper. They took them home where they will care for them until Arbor Day. Then they will be brought to school again and at that time they will receive credit for that part of their home project work. In addition to this work of growing flowers, each boy in the seventh and eighth grades is carrying on some home project work. Every boy in the seventh and eighth grades has, or will take up some project of his own. These home projects will vary widely in their diversity. One bov is keeping a feed and milk record of four dairy cows. Another has bought with his own money a few pure bred leghorn chickens. Others are caring for trees, preparing to grow sweet com or alfalfa, feed pigs, etc. All of these home projects must be carried through successfully and completed satisfactorily. There is another important and valuable opportunity for practical Agriculture in the grades. This is the school campus and the play ground. Children