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THE ATLANTA SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL, ATLANTA, GA., FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1913.
THE SEMI-WEEKLY JOURNAL
ATLANTA, GA., 5 NORTH FORSYTH ST.
«* Entered at the Atlanta Pogtoffice as Mail Matter of
the Second Class.
f
JAMES R. GRAY,
President and Editor.
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More Food, If Less Cotton.
According to an estimate made by the New York
Commercial, after a thoroughgoing inquiry, Georgia’s
cotton acreage for the current year shows a reduc
tion of about three per cent. Assuming this to be
true, how are we to interpret it? What does it
mean to the State’s agricultural and economic life?
Its chief significance is undoubtedly this: that
Georgia farmers are .realizing the disadvantage of
the one-crop plan and are devoting more soil and
more energy to the production of food supplies. They
are responding to the appeals of science and of good
business, which means, in the first place, that they
are adopting intensive methods of cultivation and,
furthermore, that they are managing their affairs
with a view to home comfort and independence.
The fact that fewer acres of cotton were planted
in Georgia this year does not mean necessarily that'
the State’s cotton crop will be smaller than hereto
fore or that it will net the planters less money. On
the contrary, it indicates a more progressive system
of farming. One acre, carefully tended, will yield a
richer harvest and a larger profit than two acres
without up-to-date methods. A farmer who raises
ten bales of cotton and also his own supplies is far
better off than he who raises twenty and,.must then
spend the entire proceeds of his money (drop for ne
cessaries -which he could have produced at home.
In this light, therefore, the reported reduction of
Georgia’s cotton acreage is’distinctly chhering. a In
other cotton-growing States a contrary tendency is
manifest. Louisiana, for instance, is credited with
a fifteen per cent increase in cotton acreage, Missis
sippi with a ten por cent increase and Texas with a
ten per cent increase. Yet, with the exception of tnb
last named State, Georgia’s cotton acreage appears
still to be the -largest in the South. It is estimated
by the New York Commercial at four million, eight
huncfred and ninety thousand acres. That of Missis
sippi is set down at a little less than three and a
half million, South Carolina at two million, seven
hundred and thirty-four thousand, Alabama, nearly
four million, Louisiana, about a million, three hun
dred and fifty-five thousand; Texas, at eleven million,
nine hundred and sixty-two thousand.
Cotton will conimue to be a great source of Geor
gia’s wealth, but it is encouraging to know that
other fields of agricultural interest, which were once
sorely neglected, are coming into their own and that
our farmers are utlizing the wondrously varied op
portunities that lie about them- If we produce more
corn, more wheat, more livestock, more vegetables
and other foodstuffs, instead of inporting them at
high prices from distant markets, we shall be well
compensated for the reduction in the cotton acreage;
we shall be a richer and a more ^independent people.
Where is the old-fashioned May music festival?
Georgia’s Country Schools.
It is a significant and cheering fact that the an
nual convention of the county school officials of
Georgia, which is now in progress in Atlanta, is the
most largely attended meeting of its kind that has
yet been held. Prom practically every county in
the State, school superintendents and school trustees
have assembled to counsel together over their com
mon interests and to advance the cause in which
they are co-workers for the public good.
So large and representative a number of delegates
attests the deep interest which our common school
system, and particularly the rural schools, have in
spired. There can be do doubt that Georgia, is now
in the midst of a great awakening to the problems
and the responsibilities of the country school. This
must be ascribed, in large/measure, to the new edu
cational law which the General Assembly enacted a
few seasons ago and under which the county schools
are being reorganized on a more efficient basis. The
more thoroughgoing system which is now being ap
plied serves to show’, as never before, both the needs
and the opportunities of the rural schools. It is
bringing about a more fruitful administration of
school affairs and is opening new paths of progress
and development.
The upbuilding of our country schools is a task
that vitally concerns the economic as well as the
civic and social interests of Georgia. The men and
women who are engaged in this work merit the pub
lic’s continuous and cordial support. Their present
convention, it is hoped, will be inspiriting and pro
ductive.
On the heel cf this meeting will come that of the
Georgia Educational Association, in which the rank
and file of teachers as well as officials will partici
pate. Indeed, the two conventions are so closely re
lated in sympathy and purpose that they are vir
tually one. They will be attended not only by edu
cators, professionally speaking, but also by many
good citizens who ..re interested in educational en
deavor. It is worth noting, in this connection, that
one of the principal addresses of the week will be
delivered by Judge Frank Park, of Albany. The
United States Commissioner of Education, Dr. P. P.
Claxton, of Washington, will be among the distin
guished visitors at the convention.
The Most Difficult of
The Balkan Problems.
The ambassadors of the European Powers, who
meet in London today, face the most difficult e,id the
most delicate problem to which the Balkan war has
yet given rise. Montenegro persists in its refufeal
to evacuate Scutari, though commanded to do so by
the six great nations. Austria is equally determined
to enforce this command with or without the co
operation of the other Powers. The baffling task of
diplomacy is to reconcile these differences, to per
suade Montenegro to come to peaceful terms or to
find means by which the desired end can be accom
plished without independent action on Austria’s
part.
It is commonly suspected that should Austria
once enter Albania on a coercive campaign she
would never withdraw until her virtual ownership
of that territory was established. Her ambitions
for greater power in Southeastern Europe have long
been known. Indeed, it is because of such ambi
tions that she so hotly protests against little Monte
negro gaining a foothold in Albania through the
occupation of Scutari. It is at Austria’s insistence
that the Powers have decided to make Albania an
autonomous State, setting it apart from the terri
torials spoils which the Balkan conquerors are to
divide. •
Russia has been acquiescent, outwardly so at
Jeast, in this plan. But should it appear that Aus
tria was about to seize Albania for her own uses,
Russia would not be slow to protest, and as forcibly
as circumstances might demand. It is at just this
point that the peril of a serious clash between the
Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente arises; just
here that Austria, Germany and Italy on the one
hand and Russia, England and France on the other
might came into conflict.
If the six great Powers stand together, it seems
inevitable that Montenegro will retire from its pres
ent defiant stand. But should there come a break
among the big nations, should Austria proceed upon
an expedition of conquest contrary to the wishes
of Russia, the outcome might be dangerous beyond
prediction. .
The conference- of the ambassadors in London
today may lead to a safe and harmonious adjust
ment of these real and potential difficulties. Cer
tain it is that European diplomacy, realizing the vast
interests at stake, will dp all within its power to
settle the vexed question of Montenegro as speedily
as possible.
Silence is the college yell of the school of expe
rience.
The world likes a good loser, especially if it gets
some of his money.
Agricultural Instruction.
The practical and humanistic trend of our
school systems is strikingly# revealed in the progress
of agricultural instruction.
Quoting from a bulletin issueu by the United
States Bureau of Education, the Louisville Courier-
Journal declares that in the school year of 1906-07
fewer than half a dozen city or village high schools
offered more than a one-year course in agriculture
and that these were supported entirely by local
funds. But in 1909-10, we are told, “more than
thirty locally-supported high schools were giving two
or more years in agricultural work, while some fifty
others maintained agricultural departments through
State aid.” During the last scholastic year more
than one hundred and seventy-five public schools
were maintaining thoroughly organized agricultural
courses; and It appears furthermore that in twenty
or more States elementary schools offer instruction
in at least the rudiments of agriculture.
Georgia’s progress in this constructive field is
noteworthy. The quickening influence of the State
College of Agriculture and of the various district ag
ricultural schools has made itself felt for good in
almost every sphere of our educational endeavor.
Not only the rural schools but a number of town
and city schools have introuuced courses in garden
ing and related studies of the soil. It is highly
appropriate and essential that in a State whose in
terests are so largely agricultural as Georgia’s
should stress this phase of common school education.
Whether a child live in the country or in the city, a
knowledge of the coil will be enriching to his mental
growth and his material opportunities.
Some men would do anything for a woman—ex
cept go to work.
A Nation of Savers.
There could be no surer evidence of-American
thrift and prosperity than the fact that the savings
bank deposits in this country aniount to four and a
half billion dollars. This record is unapproached by
any o'ther nation. It is said to he four times as
great as that of France, whose people have so long
been famed for their industry and, acquisitive
genius. It is a remarkable tribute to the energy
and hardihood of the American character.
We have been won’t to think of the United States
as a land where vast fortunes are acquired by com
paratively a few men; hut this is only one view o»
the situation. There can be no doubt that for several
decades past, and particularly during the last ten or
fifteen years, the country’s wealth became abnormally
centered at certain points and unduly controlled by
special groups on financiers. Conditions have been
such that practically all the people were permitted
to share in the nation’s prosperity hut only a small
proportion of them were permit’.ed to originate it.
That is inevitably the case when industrial and com
mercial enterprise and the sources of credit are
dominated by trusts and monopolies. But there are
bright omens that at length we are emerging into a
freer era when individual worth and initiative will
find itself unobstructed.
If that be true, American thrift will establish
even a finer record than ever before. Savings ac
counts will increase in number and volume, as the
individual opportunity to produce wealth is extended.
In the meantime it is cheering to know that this
country’s savings accounts exceed those of any other
people and that the facilities and inducements to
saving are being continually multiplied.
OUR UP-SIDE DOWN
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
BY DR. FRANK CRANE.
{Copyright, 1913. by Frnnlc Crane.)
idea that the blacksmith, fnechanic, farmer, merchant
or sailor needed an education was preposterous.
That notion still subtly grips us. It is an aristo
cratic. class theory carried over into a democracy.
The only theory of a public school for which a
democracy has any mortal use is that children are to
be trained and equipped for life—that is to say, that
they be taught so ,as to make them capable of self-
support, to render them intelligent men and women
and good citizens.
Th e school teacher class unconsciously assume
that all pupils are to be prepared to become school
teachers.
The popular supposition is that children are sent
to school > learn to read, write and “figger.” This
is wholly erroneous. They should go to school to de
velop their whole character and faculties, to learn
to use their hands, eyes and tongue, to strengthen
their moral fiber, to learn how to do team-work with
other human beings and thus become useful members
of society. Information, knowledge and “book learn
ing” they can easily pick up as they go along.
The state has no more right to pay money for
schools that specialize on “scholarship” than to sup
port institutions that specialize on woodwork or elec
trical engineering.
Scholars lip has its place; but it is citizenship and
manhood that should be the aim of state supported
schools. n
In education he things that should be in the main
circus have been relegated to the side shows. For in
stance, moral training is of the first importance, ab
solutely essential. Honesty, integrity, industry, clean
liness, skill and such matters outweigh all Euclid and
Caesar.
Our educational system is upside down, an inverted
pyramid. It rests upon preconceived “standards.” It
should rest upon the careful study of the individual
child, and its purpose should be to train him for the
fullest manual, mental and moral efficiency.
John Haynes Holmes is not only a good preacher,
but he has horse sense, which is possibly a greater
compliment.
In a speech the other day he declared that, though
a graduate of Harvard college, he was forced to say
that all he had learned in school had been almost
worthless to him in the struggle for life. “The trou
ble with the common school system,” he proceeded to
say, “is that it is designed for the benefit of the few.
Talk about special privilege! The whole machine is
geared to the limited number who intend to go to
college.”
Mr. Holmes hr.s put his finger squarely upon the
weak spot in modern education.
♦ Our public schools lie under the dead hand of the
past. The fundamental spirit of them is wrong.
Time was when schools were only mills to grind
out “scholars.” The great mass of the people were
not supposed to have any interest in them. Boys
were sent to school to become preachers, physicians,
lawyers or scriveners of one sort or another. The
The cost of living high remains'about the same.
Diaz might have suspected something when Hu
erta double crossed the former president.
May the flood in Louisiana, since it had to come,
drown out the boll weevil- .
The Mexican Triangle.
With Felix Diaz massing artillery on his private
estate, a short distance from the capital, and with,
Provisional President Huerta surrounding the palace
with troops, the Mexican situation seems far from
reassuring-
Weeks ago it was tinted that Diaz and Huerta
were at enmity qnd, though they both asserted their
mutual goodwill, signs of a sharp break have been
steadily multiplying.
Conditions have at length reached a stage where
further pretense is impossible. It is manifest that
each of these dictators is seeking the other’s undo
ing; and since Huerta is nominally in the saddle, it
would seem, according to Mexican custom, that it
will be his turn to fall.
Whether Diaz will succeed in mustering the dis-
contened element to his own faction, however, is
rather doubtful. His alliance with Huerta in the
treacherous overthrow of Madero has served to blot
the popularity and confidence in which he was once
so widely held.
A new and aggressive faction has riseh in Mex
ican politics—the “Constitutionalists," as they call
themselves. This party insists that Huerta with
draw from the provisional presidency on the ground
that that office should, according to law, be held by
the minister of foreign affairs in the late Madero’s
cabinet. “Regularity” and “order” are their watch
words, though they would probably not hesitate to
employ violent means to carry their theory into
effect.
The followers of this program are, perhaps, as ill
disposed to Diaz as to Huerta, so that if another
serious struggle should develop it would doubtless
be waged under three standards.
Every time a man loses money he loses a little
more confidence in humanity.
Anyway, an old bachelor doesn’t have to stand
for a lot of relatives-in-law.
Homes for Our Envoys.
For the sake of the freedom and prestige of
America’s diplomatic service, it is to be hoped that
the bills by Senator Bacon and Congressman Henry
providing suitable legation and embassy residences
will pass. As conditions now are our representatives
abroad are more th^n likely to te handicapped, un
less they are men of extraordinary wealth. Their
salaries are insufficient to pay the rental on accept
able quarters and also meet the other responsibilities
of their position.
This state of affairs frequently has the effect ot
closing the diplomatic service to Americans of high
talent and distinctioi, men who would be of great
honor and value to the nation, but whose energies
have been directed into other channels than those of
money-making.
It is very shortsighted and very undemocratic for
a republic like the United States to suffer such condi
tions to continue. Our ambassadors and ministers
should be provided with quarters that will be worthy
or the nation’s name and with salaries that will en
able them to uphold the dignity of their office.
'rJOME
i v CoHwcra 5rjtrs.u:mrum
TIMELY
T0P1C5
MEMORIAE DAY AT WARRENTON.
It gave me genuine pleasure to visit Warrenton, the
prosperous county site of the county of Warren, and de
liver the Memorial address on last Saturday, the 26th
of April. I was delighted to see the euthsiasm of the
citizens over their fine schools and those splendid pu
pils added greatly to th e success of the day. More
than one hundred years ago my father’s parents moved
from the state of Maryland and settled in Warren
county with their children and other near relatives.
My father was a little boy of seven when they crossed
the Potomac river from their old home in Charles coun
ty, Md. My grandparents are buried in Warren coun
ty, and• it was my father’s home in his young man
hood. I had many delightful courtesies showered
upon me last Saturday, but as I walked along the
street leading to the auditorium I wondered if the feet
of my forbears had not also left their impression
where my aged feet were now also treading, and my
memory was thrilled to know that I could claim citi
zenship in Georgia because of these departed ones for
one hundred and seven long years, and that they had
still living* grandchildren to cherish their'memory and
bear the names. As I stood before that large and en
thusiastic audience I could see through the open door
some of the old-time homes of Warrenton, and despite
the music, the aplausj and th e gala exercises of the
day, there was a thrilling memory of those who had
been citizens of the county and who had lived in that
community a hundred years ago. I thought of the
dear grandmother, whose name I proudly bear, although
sh e passed away before my baby eyes opened on the
light of day.
I wondered if it was permitted to her to look down
and see her own aged grandchild when she* talked to
the people of Warren county of the things that made
vivid history in old Georgia only fifty years ago, and
if sh e could know ^.nd understand the influence that
her own fine life had impressed upon this white-
haired granddaughter who had been taught to honor
and revere this nobl© scion of the Marshall family in
the days of the American Revolution when Maryland
and Virginia were in the turmoil of battle and General
Washington was leading the Continental troops to final
victory.
My mind was full, of course, of the events of the
60’s when I talked to those old veterans of the beau
tiful character of General Robert E. Lee, but* there
was also something in the air that filled me with lov
ing memories of my Maryland grandmother who had
been a citizen of Warren county during her later
yeai-s and whose dust reposes in the soil of this fa
vored county of Georgia. *
I could fill a page with a story of how Warren coun
ty is making good, but the shortness of my stay and
the activities of this Memorial occasion must answer at
this writing.
* * *
SOME OF THE WONDERS THAT I REMEMBER.
I oftentimes ruminate when I read of Edison’s won
derful discoveries and th e ever-growing demonstration^
of the powers of electricity and I can go back three-
quarters of a century in those reminiscences.
When I think about the aviators, or sky travelers, I
recall th e fact that I rode on the first passenger train
that ever pulled out of Atlanta, then known as Mar-
thasville. The town had one structure in it, the prim
eval W. and depot, the balance of he present me
tropolis was a scrubby chinquapin ridge. (Per paren
theses, what’s become of all th© chinquapin bushes ol
my childhood?).
Skyscraper^ cluster now around the old site of the
old Western and Atlantic depot, but when the town had
grown somewhat the most notable structure devoted to
business was a horse sawmill, the firsU and only of
my knowledge, and it assisted in the construction of
the town very largely in the 40’s. I was nearly forty
years old before I held my ear to a telephone and
listened, and it was the first one installed in Washing
ton City, and connected the capitol building with the
government printing office.
I had some acquaintance with th e very first pho
nograph, the one that was brought to Congress to be
seen and wondered over about the same time.
I never saw a thimbleful of kerosene until after
the surrender at Appomattox. We used c^idles and
train oil and what was called “burning fluid” that I
should be afraid to handle nowadays.
I saw the first display of electric cooking at the
Chicago exposition, and later on had glimpses of elec
tric carriages so familiar to city people now.
I recall the message that passed from the queen of
►England to the president of the United States on the
wires of th e first submarine telegraph. “What won
ders hath God wrought!” ‘ I read of the first telegraph
in 1844.
The manufacture of ice* is comparatively new, and
the first sleeping car was a perfect wonder to railroad
travelers, and they only came to us after the Civil
war. My memory is full of wonders.
• • •
THE DOG PEST.
For more than a dozen years I have been trying to
get the dog pest abated, at least as much as I could
abate it with pleadings and pen, but strange to say, the
country is likely to remain pest-ridden of dogs because
the voters who are in the majority like dogs better
than the prosperity of th© farming classes or the com
fort of farm women.
A dear good woman, an invalid nearly fifty years
old, who lives in a populous Georgia county, has writ
ten me a letter telling of her grievous annoyances with
neighbors’ dogs. These neighbors, black and white,
have droves of them, and they annoy this dear invalid
lady beyond the point of endurance. Everybody who
has been annoyed with dogs understands that one bitch
can draw a gang of dogs around the premises, and
there is no limit to their ferocity or numbers at times
in country places.
A few weeks ago the lady’s husband had to defend
himself violently when he rose early to go to the bam.
But for a stout stick in his hand he would have been
severely bitten on his own veranda by a ruthless pack
of sorry dogs, not one of them worth its feed. There
were hounds, fice, curs and all sorts gathered in this
gentleman’s porch and back yard.
The sorry bitch belonged to a negro neighbor, and
was too worthless to think about, more more to endure.
They destroy both chickens and eggs, and are a dis
gusting nuisance in and about the yard.
Now, is Lt suprising that men of means, o'f intelli
gence, of common sense and claiming to be patriots,
will allow this state of things to continue? Every
body knows how easy it is to set a torch to a house oi
barn, because of spiteful revenge, but it does lie in the
power of our lawmakers to abate this dog nuisance b;
voting to^lessen th e number of dogs.
A Bryan Lunch
(Montreal Star.;
While political economists are advocating the solv
ing of the problems of the high cost of living by putting
more gold in the dollar or more bread crumbs in the
sausage, Mr. Bryan, President Wilson’s secretary of
state, has gone out and solved it without the aid of
political economy or gold. He used silver, of course,
and only a little of it, coupled with one or two of the
fundamental principles of the simple life. The other
day Mr. Bryan and his wife found themselves at the
noon hour som e distance from home, but near a mar
ket. He alco found 7 cents in his pocket. How many
more were in hi ; pocket is not stated, but at least
there were seven, because Mr. Bryan went into the
market .and bought two buns for 1 cent each and 5
cents’ worth of cheese. On these purchases th e sec
retary of state and his wife lunched satisfactorily if
not sumptuously.
A tiresome speech is a cheerless affair-
The weather is putting a check on those persons
who are given to rushing the season.
* May Day and Modern Paly
By Lrederic J. Haskin
The revival of the old folk games so much enjoyed
by the children of former generations is being demon
strated today by the number of large outdoor play fes
tivals held in so many parts of
the country. In some of these
the old-fashioned Maypole plays
a prominent part. Usually 'the
festival terminates with a
graceful dance, during which
the flower-decked pole is cov
ered with a web of bright hued
ribbons interlaced by the youth
ful daheers in the way immor
talized by Tennyson and other
English poets.
* • •
In some of the festivals, how
ever, the Maypole does not
appear. The festival consists
merely of outdoor games
played by the childreq, usually
with musical accompaniment.
The most important of these
play festivals and the one hav
ing the greatest influence in the
country will be the one held in W’ashington today as
one of the events of the program of the annual con
vention of the International Kindergarten union now
in session in the capital city. This festival repre
sents the only one of its kind conducted in any coun
try. It is really a revival of the children’s games
used by Froebel at the beginning of his work in Ger
many, and Miss Catherine Watkins, the head of the
kindergartens in the Washington public schools, is en
titled to the credit of putting the idea into effect in
this country. Over 1,600 children will take part in
this play festival which will be held upon the grounds
of the Smithsonian Institution. In this natural set
ting the children will play their games to music fur
nished by the United States Marine band.
* • •
Modern educators deplore the fact that the chil
dren of'the present generation do not know how 1 ■>
play.. The lack of space and the artificial conditions
'of modern life are largely to blame for this loss, and
a strong effort to increase the attention given to chil
dren’s play is^m important feature of the recreation
movement so well under way. During the past dec
ade the playground movement has added greatly to
the amount of space giyen to the children for recrea
tion purposes. But in every city the opening of a new
playground serves only to demonstrate the fact that
the children do not know how to use it. The play
festivals which are being held will help the little
folks to acquire the pleasure which should come to
each of them from the simple bodily exercise devel
oped by the old-fashioned outdoor games. When the
kindergarten children learn it they ^will carry the
blessing with them through the later grades.
In most of the cities the play festivals include chil
dren of all ages. In Kansas City over 2,000 children
took part in the last one. In New York a number of
play festivals are being held under the auspices of the
park commission, which not only encourages outdoor
play, but furnishes music to accompany it. This play
has to be under supervision, of course, and the num
ber of persons training as recreation or play directors
is increasing, each year. The qualifications for such
work are Varied and not easily acquired. It is not
enough that one should really love children ‘ and pos
sess sufficient education to instruct them in the or
dinary branches. These two things are taken for
granted. There must also be a keen perception of the |
characteristics in the individual child in order that the
especial needs of his nature may be met so far as pos
sible by the play. The* stolid, phlegmatic child should
be stimulated by some of the, games calling forth his
imagination, such as those imitating the artimals or |
birds in simple action. The child with the active im
agination will be helped most by games which, tend to
make him accurate and methodical. Each game or* I
play must have a distinct purpose. This may be ‘
either in the development of the physical, mental or
moral nature of the child and the wise supervisor
knows how to present these in sugar-coated form as
children naturally object to being continually kept at !
noticeable improving pursuits.
In many towns the May day festival, whether it
represent the old English features which are being So j
much enjoyed in many cities, or the folk games gath
ered from all nations, especially those of ^the German
kindergartens, marks the beginning of the supervised
play season for the children. Their interest is en
gaged before the closing of school so that by the time
vacation comes they iiave developed many new tastes
and are better able to appreciate the advantages of j
the public playground and the friendship of the man
or woman in charge v h o helps them to the fullest |
ei joyment of it. It is claimed that supervised play
will also tend to develop the natural faculties of the
child to a degree which will materially improve his
school progress.
The advantages of supervised play, of which these
May day festivals demonstrate only one feature, are
becoming recognized by school authorities in a num
ber of cities. In order that the ordinary school re
cess may be of the greatest physical benefit to the
children a supervisor of games is now being employed.
Instead of the entire school being dismissed for re
cess at the same hour, the grades are given their re
cess at different periods which gives more space for
pjay in the school yards and also permits the super
visor to give the play best suited to the size of the
children. This could not be possible .1 all th* chil
dren had recess at the same time.
With all the vaunted advance of modern education,
the games most used in the modern play festivals un
der the supervision of a play director are those that |
the children of former centuries played of their own
volition. In having lost the power of natural play,
some educators clair that the modern child has also
lost the intellectual vigor of fotmer generations. While
a century ago fewer children were educated than now,
it remains undisputed that thes who^had educational
advantages made greater progress at an early age.
The average child does not now begin to study lan
guages or higher mathematics until after he has com
pleted his elementary work, which, according to mod
ern standards requires him to be approximately four
teen years old. A century ago it was not unusual to
find a boy of ten reading Caesar o# working out the
intricacies of a geometrical problem with the absorp
tion a modern child would only be permitted to ex
pend upon a play puzzle. ,The college graduate of to-
i.ay completes his course at an age averaging three
years older than did the graduate of fifty years ago.
The enthusiasts for supervised play believe that
every bit of play should have seme direct effect upon
the children which jvill fit them for better future
work. In th e towns where the play festivals have al
ready been held it is claimed that those who take part
in them represent ti j highest intelligence of the school
children. The simplest play contains some sort of
wisdom which the children absorb unconsciously but
thoroughly. Few teachers or play directors will be
able secure the results attained by Mrs. J. B. Stoner,
of Pittsburg, who educated her own little daughter
along lines distinctly original, but at least the exam
ple she has set will be helpful to every one Interested
in the education of children.
Little Winifred Sackville Stoner is now ten years
old and has just passed her college entrance examina
tion. She speaks five languages fluently and has
written several children’s books. She Is a graceful
dancer and also a musician. Her mother has taugnt
her entirely through play. Their study games last
two hours each morning and most of the remainder of
th© day, in pleasant weather, is spent in outdoor pray.
Winifred is skillful In athletics and has unusually well
developed senses of sound, touch and sight. From her
babyhood her play has been directed by her watchful
milter w ho devoted herself to the highest develop
ment of every talent. When the child began to talk
th e spelling of her words she used was taught to her
as a nursery game. Her mother read aloud and re
cited poetry to her before she could speak a word.
Winifred has never been required to study beyond her
natural inclination and her mother regards her aa an'
example of what can be secured by education through
play*
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