Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women - Wise Acres Yearbook (Ambler, PA)

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WISE-ACRES JESSIE T. MORGAN. Director of School Vol. i. June, 1914. No. 2. Subscription. $1.00 a Year. Single Copies, 35 cents. Edited by the Students of the School of Horticulture for Women, at Ambler, Pennsylvania. Application has been made for the admission of this publication to the second class of mail matter at the Ambler Postofficc. PUBLISHED QUARTERLY STAFF Edilor-in - Chief, Emily ExlBY. Associate Editor, Frances Gardiner. Business Manager, Sara Deming. Art Editor, Frances Shinn. Secretary, Caroline G. Peeler. Advertising Editor, Eleanor Lawrence. EDITORIAL There seems to be nothing materially wrong with our present educational systems, so far as they apply to those able to take advantage of the excellent opportunities afforded by the extensive and varied courses of our colleges and universities. Many of our high schools are also equipping for successful careers earnest boys and girls who have not the opportunity for higher education. But let us ask ourselves here, what is the real value of our educational system and what proportion of our boys and girls have the opportunity for a college training, or even a high school education? Statistics show that of those of school age only 1.71% secure college educations; 5.35% take the high school work, and less than half of the rest reach the eighth grade in the elementary schools. By the present system the students in our elementary and high schools, and to a large extent in our colleges, are required to take largely abstract work, particularly that of a literary character; most of this does little toward preparing the student directly for the work of life, and results in a numerous aftermath of failures and non-valeurs. Vocational training gives the student opportunity to ascertain his fitness for the vocation he looks toward following, or helps him to find for what line of work he is best suited. The education of the hand is one of the best ways of educating the mind, and helps greatly in creating an attitude of interest toward their life work. In Germany the predominant characteristic of education has been the love of learning for its own sake; in France, it has been the

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J. JACOB SHANNON CO. SS1744 Market St. 1744 » d EQUIPMENT PHILADELPHIA W. C. Evans Coal, Feed, Grain, Hay, Straw, Etc., DRINK WATER PUREST OF ALL WATERS Both Telephones AMBLER, PA. PUROCK WATER CO. 1228 PARRISH ST., PH I LA. The Methods of the House of Burpee Should make a strong appeal to those who wish success with their Garden of Beauty or their Garden of Plenty. The Horticultural School for Women Has given you an insight of the proper methods to apply. Let us start you on the right road by mailing you a Copy of our Annual, and also our 35th Anniversary Supplement. Write today “lest you forget.” A post card will do. W. ATLEE BURPEE CO. Burpee Bldgs., Philadelphia

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pursuit of culture, and in England the development of the will, but the new interpretation of the word is the development of the man or woman. During President Lincoln’s administration a measure was passed granting money to the States to establish colleges in agriculture and the mechanical arts. Under its provisions every State has set up such a school and sixteen of the Southern States have established two such colleges each. It is to these schools that the Page-Nelson Bill grants money for the training of teachers, and the teaching of extension work offers opportunity to the youth of our country, but young women are not encouraged to take it up, and in many places no provisions are made for them at all. The problem of woman's work is discussed at times as if it had not appeared until the last generation, but ages ago women did manufacturing and similar work in their homes. The Hebrew ideal of a virtuous woman includes such work, and according to the ancient record, the honored Hebrew matron was a manufacturer, a planter and a merchant. Such were the duties of our women a hundred years ago, but now most of this work has been transferred to the factories, where a great part of it is still done by women. Economic causes are forcing women into industry, and in the future, instead of fewer we shall find more women in occupations other than homekeeping. Many of the schools for the vocational training of girls are under private management, having been established by those who have recognized the modern tendency of women to become wage earners. Vocational training and wage earning are so closely allied that one can scarcely think of the former except in relation to the latter. If more girls can be given some vocational training the number of unskilled workers will decrease. This will enable the women workers to demand and receive higher wages and will be a distinct benefit to the community at large. But such training is good, not only for the poor girl and the girl of moderate means, but every girl, irrespective of her financial condition. It gives her a more healthful outlook on life and broadens her views, by bringing her into contact with those less fortunate than herself. What is a more pathetic sight than to see a middle-aged woman wholly unfitted to support herself, thrown upon her own resources! If women are trained to take hold of life with a firm grip at some particular point, success or failure rests with their several characters and abilities. E. B.