A Source of Income for School and Student
By Joel C. Rogers
CAN industries be found and methods adopted that will produce an income for students, and also bring some income to our schools? At a recent union conference, the writer heard the statement made in open session that the work done by students at ten cents an hour is a loss to the school. It was not denied, and the opinion seemed general. I believe this need not be so. There is no panacea for all the financial ills of denominational schools. The problem set for the school board, faculty, and business manager is hard at best. That improvements can be made in the support of school and student most of us believe. The main thing needed in successfully maintaining the industrial feature, is only, occupations whose products will be in universal demand,—occupations, clean and honorable in themselves, useful and educational. It is also important that industries be found for both boys and girls, industries which shall enlist their interest. As suggested above, there is no panacea for all financial troubles, so there can be no copyright on any particular industry, as carpentry, printing, or farming, which shall supply all requirements. Naturally, one educator will incline to one industry, another to something else. Usually, the particular industry chosen in each case will have been determined by his own early education or environment. I will suggest an industry which has occupied my attention, and which I believe could be made to help solve the financial problem. Seeds, plants, shrubs, and trees are in universal demand. “While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Gen. 8:22. Therefore seeds and plants are and always will be in demand. The production of seeds alone, for the wholesale and retail trade, is a large industry. One man in western Washington receives an income of many thousands of dollars a year from cabbage seeds grown for wholesale seedsmen. The growing of seeds requires but a few acres of ground. A school management could select one or two kinds of seeds adapted to its climatic conditions. Some students would take a special interest in their growth. Vegetable and flower seeds might be included. A start could be made with the best varieties of potatoes obtainable. From the latter quick returns are realized, and no other seed is in such general demand. With a small amount of advertising, a school could soon have a good trade in seed potatoes alone.