constantly running, is the regular morning and evening chore of those of
the boys, that are not otherwise employed at that time about the
buildings or stock. The preparation of the fuel in the timber and again
at the woodpiles is, to say the least, a long and rather monotonous
employment. Boys who do not manifest an interest in this part of their
early training, by reason of its necessity and general healthfulness,
are prone to regard it as a very wearisome employment, until they
acquire skill in the matter of position and movement, and then their
delight is manifested in efforts to outdo one another.

THE FARM WORK

In order that friends at a distance may know something of the regular
methods of work during the three-hour work periods of each day and
during the period of the term the following notes are added:

During the first four or more weeks of the term, all the available
student help is busily employed gathering in the crops of cowpeas,
potatoes, corn and cotton. In order that their undivided attention may
be given to this important work at this time, all the wood needed for
fuel during this period has to be brought from the timber, before the
end of the previous term.

As soon as the crops have been gathered the long campaign for the year's
supply of wood in the timber,--about 25 cords,--has to be undertaken and
continued from week to week, especially on Saturdays until the end of
the term.

If the necessary materials are on hand, this is the golden time to start
the older and best trained boys on the permanent improvement work
outlined for the year, such as fence building, sprouting, clearing of
new lands, the construction of conveniences for the school, home or
farm, the repair of old, the erection and painting of new buildings and
finally, the preparation of the ground and planting of the crops for the
next year.

The boys, however, are never taken to the timber or fields when the
ground is damp or the weather is cold and unfavorable. When from these
causes they cannot work to advantage, they continue their studies in the
class room, all the day.

The two winter months of January and February have been ordinarily
unfavorable for student work in the timber or fields. The work is then,
to a considerable extent, limited to the carpenter shop, cellar, or
indoor work on new buildings.

IMPROVEMENT WORK

In order that the work performed by the students during the industrial
hours of each week, may