Teachers Close Their Meeting

TEACHERS CLOSE THEIR MEETING

Had Successful Eight Days' Session

MANY PROFITABLE TALKS

Given by the Instructors and Others--Enrollment of Teachers Large

The eight days' session of the Washtenaw County Teachers' Institute, which closed Wednesday, was one of the most successful ever held in this city. An exceptionally large number of teachers were enrolled, in fact it is said that more teachers were in attendance this year than ever before.

The successful carrying on of the work of the meeting was due in a great measure to the untiring efforts of School Commissioner C. E. Foster and to the instructors, who did excellent work.

Prof. Tooze, of Saline, was in charge of the meeting, carrying out his duties in such an admirable manner as to win the encomium of all the teachers present. Prof. S. J. Geir, of Hillsdale, and Miss Maude Parker, of this city, were the other two instructors whose methods left a most favorable impression on those who were present.

At the session yesterday Prof. C. A. Davis of the University gave a most instructive talk on the beautifying of school grounds. Miss Emma Taylor, of this city, read a paper on the "Ideal Teacher," which was one of the most interesting features of the institute this year. Miss Maude Parker's review of Tennyson's works is said to have been one of the best talks ever heard in this city, while Miss Agnes McKinnon, of Saline, gave a recitation which the teachers were unanimous in complimenting as an exceptionally fine effort. D. R. Hoppe, of Chelsea, one of the board of school examiners, gave an interesting address on general school topics, and the Miss Perry, of this city, and Miss Helen Allmendinger who is a teacher in one of the schools in the northern part of the state, gave several delightful vocal selections.

The meeting closed with the singing of "America" and "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again" by the teachers in unison.

A TEACHER'S IDEAS.

The following interesting letter was received by School Commissioner C. E. Foster just before the session of the teachers began. It is from Miss Bertha Wilkinson, of Breckenridge and may give some new ideas to the teachers for the carrying on of their work. Miss Wilkinson says:

School Officers, Patrons and Teachers of Washtenaw County:

"Friends: It may seem strange to you to receive a letter from me at this distance, but it is impossible for me to attend the meeting, although I very much wish to do so.

"Most of you have had more experience than I and feel better equipped to give an account of your work during the past year, but I consider it a great pleasure to try and explain to you the pleasant times the children and I spent together during the nine months of of school last year.

"Mr. Foster asked me to tell something of my work and no subject could be more interesting to me than my school work. I trust you will pardon me if I get too interested or tire you with our little experiences. But these same experiences have taught me that dull times even in a school room may be overcome.

"Our school did not open until the second week in September but that first week of school was spent very pleasantly as children and I compared our vacation joys.

"The first thing that troubled us was the fair. We hardly knew whether to attend or not. For three successive years we had been awarded the first premium on our wagon and other school work. We thought it best this year to enter no school work and thereby give the other schools a better chance, for when we trim we put all our energy in the work with the purpose of carrying off a premium. Fair day found us at the fair grounds but we did not try for a premium.

A CHILD'S SOCIETY.

"As soon as the fair was over we organized a little society of which each child was a member.

"We planned opening exercises for morning and afternoon, but on Friday we saved this time for our society meeting at half past three. Our president would call the meeting to order, hear the report of the last meeting, critic's report for the week, librarian's report, and after a short program spend fifteen minutes with charade or games. Often a little pop corn o some other eatable would reach the school house in time for this meeting and the children would finish the week cheerfully instead of longing for dull Friday afternoon to be over. Each member of the society was asked to pay the treasurer one cent a month and if not brought the Friday she asked for it, two cents were to be brought the Monday following. Often the children would bring more than a penny and in this way we collected quite a sum toward our Christmas tree and entertainment. A portion of this money was used to provide a Christ

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that were sick with scarlet fever. How we did enjoy the preparations for Christmas and the children seemed so thoughtful of their classmates that were less fortunate than they.

"Another event that helped to brighten the school year was a visit from Mr. Foster. One rather gloomy morning he happened that way and spent the forenoon with us. How the children and I did enjoy that visit. Our only regret was that he could not stay with us during the rest of the day. After the holidays, school was closed a month for scarlet fever. Our society was dropped and we then turned our attention to agriculture.

"One of the sixth grade boys placed this quotation on the board, "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble occupation of man." George Washington.

STUDY AGRICULTURE.

"We tried to see where we might do something in agriculture in our school. Each child purchased a note book and after organizing a class we began our study.

"I doubt not but some of the parents thought agriculture a nuisance when they were asked to discuss questions for our class, but in the meantime they became very much interested. The first week we studied just the word 'Agriculture,' then 'The Agents that are Injurious or Beneficial to Agriculture.' The first product we studied was 'Potatoes,' as that was what we intended to plant if we were successful in securing the aid of the patrons in our work.

I secured several copies of the Ann Arbor Argus last spring that had Mr. Heatley's address in them and had each patron read. No one knew what I wished to do, but when the papers were returned the most influential families sent an encouraging message that if they could aid me any in my plans they were willing.

"After presenting my ideas to the school board our work in agriculture began in earnest. We announced a Trimmed Box Social for April 4, and by this social we netted thirty-one dollars and fifty cents. It was certainly very encouraging and our first step was to secure the land, which we did by a fifty-year lease at the rate of fifty dollars per acre. During this time the children and I were not idle, for at school we made a silk cushion which we sold for six dollars and fifty cents.

"Our class in agriculture was progressing and every lesson seemed to make the children more anxious to work at their gardens.

"We arranged a short program and announced another social for May 14. At this social we netted twenty-five dollars and seventy-five cents. Now, nothing hindered us and in less than a week we had secured help to put up sixty rods of wire fence. It was now time for the children to make their gardens. I suggested hiring a man to do the heavy work but the boys wished to do it all alone. While they were thus employed, the girls and I were piecing a quilt which we finished ready for use and sold for ten dollars.

SET OUT TREES.

"Then we turned our attention to the yard for awhile. We cleaned it thoroughly, planted shrubbery, finished the gardens and then invited the men to come set out trees, which they did one Friday afternoon.

"Now everything was planted and we must wait for seeds to grow. This made the children uneasy, so I purchased a croquet set. Of course this was not enough, so the fifth grade girls purchased another and donated it to the school. Now all excepting the first and second grade pupils found employment. What were they to do?

"We found a circular of a soap company and in less than a week they sold enough soap to purchase a lawn swing and cash enough to pay the freight.

"Now all were employed and happy, and it was nearly time to plant our potatoes. We had a man plow the ground but otherwise the children did all the work, and certainly we have a nice half acre of potatoes and popcorn from which we wish to realize quite a profit this fall.

"Our last gardening was done June 13, and school closed June 14 with an ice cream social at the school house, which netted us ten dollars. Undoubtedly we would have made more but a severe storm prevented our serving cream.

"How much the children and I have to look forward to this fall. We wish to change our little society into a Farmers' club, and perhaps some of the older people will help us.

"One thing I failed to mention. Mr. Lister and Mr. Foster each sent us a dollar by way of encouragement. We have decided to purchase evergreen trees with it and plant on the school lawn.

GARDENS STARTED.

"The Foster and Lister trees will be planted next Arbor Day and we shall be pleased to have any of you present.

"Excepting a small piece of hay that we gave to a poor widow lady, we sold everything that we could to help pay tor the land. The gardens were nicely started, the flowers in bloom so that the children sold some before school closed. It was but a few cents' worth, still it encouraged the children.

"We hired one of the fifth grade boys to care for the gardens during vacation, and by the letters I have received from the children I think everything must be doing nicely.

"Everyone, from officers to pupils, seem willing to undertake anything for their school and they certainly are

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boards were as helpful as the board in Sutton school district the schools would advance more rapidly.

"Some school boards would not hire me if they thought I would lose a moment of school time for agriculture, but every member of this district have sanctioned our work and encouraged us by their aid.

"I shall open my school this fall with enthusiasm, for I am sure the children enjoy the work.

"Contrary to my expectations, the school board raised my wages to thirty dollars a month, and I shall go back with a desire to do my best for the advancement of their school.

"Very truly,

"BERTHA WILKINSON."