It will be impossible, of course, to point out definitely to the local, self-appointed leader just what plan of social endeavor to follow. Since there is such a great variety of conditions, it seems advisable here to make a somewhat extended list of possible lines of work in the rural districts.
Corn-raising and bread-baking clubs
Perhaps among the easiest organizations to effect among the young people of any farm district are the clubs or contests in juvenile farm work and home economics. The beginning of such a purpose will consist of getting into communication with the extension department of the state agricultural college. After obtaining their literature and learning their methods of procedure, call the boys and girls together, asking their parents to come along. It may be found practicable to call a general meeting of the entire neighborhood, inviting old and young possibly to a basket dinner, and there to lay before them the plans of the organizations. While the contest in corn-raising or bread-baking has proved a marked success where tried, if possible arrange matters so that every earnest endeavor on the part of the young shall receive a suitable reward, not merely the winners of the first and second prizes.
Plate XIX.
(Courtesy of American Magazine.)
Fig. 25.—Jerry Moore, the champion boy corn raiser of the United States. He raised 253 bushels on a single acre of ground.
It is usually an easy matter to secure funds for paying the way of the boys to the state-wide farmers’ institute or the boys’ institute usually held at the agricultural college during the holiday season. Provide that every boy who reaches a certain standard—say, that of raising so many bushels of corn on an acre of land—shall go at the expense of the fund. Likewise, organize the girls into a bread-baking club or something of the sort. Prizes may be offered for the best bread, but all the girls whose home-making work meets a certain fixed standard of requirement should have promise of a suitable reward. Perhaps they too may be sent without expense to themselves to a state conference on home economics. In case of these trips to the state meetings it will be necessary to appoint responsible chaperons for the boys and girls.
Other forms of contests
It may be found advisable to start a good-roads contest among the boys of the home township, offering an attractive prize to the one who shows the best results at the end of a given period and a per diem payment of money to every boy who faithfully takes care of his half mile or quarter mile of public road.