Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-10-11

Years. in the principles Of law and medicine
before we permit the pupil to practise IN
these professions. We require like pre-
Iimna'y study IN our military and naval
schools, IN the science of war aud Of navi,
CATION. ere the student is deemed qualified
to command And yet. in agriculture, hy
which. by the permission of Provldcnce,
we virtually "'ive. and move, aud have our
being" and which truly embraces q wider
range Of useful science, than either law,
medicine. war OF navigation. we have no
schools, we give no instruction, we bcstow
no governmental patronage. Sclent lfic
knowledge is deemed indispensable in many
minor employments of lite; but in the
great business, IN which its influence
would be most potent and useful, we con.
slider 1t, Judging from our practice, Of less
conse guence than the fc,ions Of the move
list. We regard mind ne the efficient
power in most other pursuit; while we
forget. that in agriculture, it ls the Archi.
medean lever, which, though it does no,
more world TENDS to fill one with plenty,
with moral health and human happiness
Can 1t excite surprise, that under these
circumstances Of gross neelec:, agriculture
should have become among us, 10 popular
estimation, cownish and ignobIe en- ploy
ment?
In The absence Of professional oCricnl,u.
raj schools. could we not do much to
enlighten and to raise The character Of
American husbandry. by making It's princl-
pies a branch Of study in our district
schools' This knowledge would seldom
come amiss. and it would often prove
| ready help, under misfortune, to those who
should fal! IN other business. What man
is there, who may not expect, al some time
Of life, TO profit directly. BY a knowledge
Of these prnclples' Who does not hope
TO become the owner.' or cultivator. Of q
garden or farm' Aud VIVA, man, enjoy.
ing he blessing of health, would be OF o
l"ss for the means Of an honest livelhood,
whose mind had been early imbued with
he philosophy Of rural cul,ure-and who
would rather work tbun beg.
An corly acquaintance with natural
science, Is calculated to beget taste for
rura life, and rural obors, as sources of
pleasure, profit and honor: to stimulate TO
The Improvement of the mlnd-,o elevate
and to purify ito self respect. to mora
department. And it will tend 10 deter
from the formation of bad habi,e. which
s'ea' upon the ignorant and the idle una
Wnrcs, and Which cnnslcn Thousands of
promising young men 10 poverty and die.
graca. II not 10 premature caves A
knowledge OF lheee PRINCIPLES, to a very
ueetul extent. cen be acquired with a.
murh facI)uv. IN the school or upnn the
arm, as other branches nf leo rnns. Why
then, shal! they not be taught, Whv
shall we withhold from our agrIcul,u,s
porna''on. that knowledge wo,ch is 90
Indispensable TO Their profit. to their ndc
pendencn, and to thew correct bearing a.
feemcn '-Why. while we boast Of on,
superior privileges, keep in comparative
ignorance Of the principles OF their business
that Glaze Of our citizens who ere truly the
cOnservat0rs Of our irecdom' We know
OF bat one objecion-the want of teachers.
A few years ago, CIVIL engineers we're no,
to be found among US. The demand for
then created supply. We have demon
strated. that We have tho materials for
civil engineers. and lha, We can work them
up. We have materials for teachers Of
agricultural science, which we can slso
work up. Demand will always insure a
supply Cu'tiuator.