Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-07-05
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

ened on this subject, as well as in America !;
and not only are schools specially devoted
10 This study continually rising up, but am
PIE provisions are being made to introduce
elementary books upon agriculture into the
common or rprimary schools.
tappears from the French annals of
Agriculture, that there were three prizes of
one thousand francs each, awarded last
year IN France, 10 three authors of elemen-
tary works upon agriculture, prepared for
1ae use OF schools and also two gold med.
ala. and one silver one, to the authors Of
three other like essays. And in the list Of
prizes offered for the current year, we find
one OF 1000 francs, for the composition Of
elementary books upon agriculture, for chill.
dren in schools.
We make the extracts below, from the
proceedings of British agricultural Socie.
tics, at the sutumnal meetings, to show, that
the importance of education to those who
till the soil-to those who furnish the bread
and meat 10 feed the nation, is attracting
much public attention there.
"Mr. Brewster, lin the Stafford Waldron
meeting observed, that the system oftheir
fore.fathers, however good, was to be
much improved by the assistance Of educa.
lion, and The combination of science, and the
exploration of the mineral and vegetable
kingdoms. He also impressed upon the
meeting the advantage of combining theo.
rectal with practical knowled ge."
"You never can forget, that Eng|and's
greatness Is based on her agriculture. -
J. Gibson.
"Agrlculiure should be regarded in a
more scientific point ofview, John Greg,
in the Northumberland meeting,] and the
principles of science applied TO i. These
principles ought to be followed out by men
ofscience. for the public benefit. =
There is agreat field to bs discovered here,
but not by the mere practical farmer, but
by the researches of scientific men. Gen.
tlemen, in the prosecution of subjects of this
kind ofagriculture may be considered as yet
in its infancy; and am Of opinion, that in
the next sixty years, a still greater advance
will be made, than in any similar period
which has passed"
His Lordship, Lord Braybrook. in the
Stafford Waldron meeting,] also exhorted
agriculturists, to give to their children that
sort OF education, which was unknown when
the elder agricultursts were young. Next
to conscience devoid Of reproach, no bes.
sing could be greater than that Of possessing
a well cultivated mind. The greater de-
gree of instruction agriculturists gave to
their children, the more happy they would
make them-for the seeds Of knowledge,
properly sown, would come up and produce
an hundred fold"
This difficulty [said Mr.. Bnns, at The
Preston m"eung. arises N errat measure,
Nom tire wont of the same education am
ongs, farmers than other classes enjoy. The
scientific m-n who make and recommend
experiments, want practice; and the practi.
cal men, want science and education. For
want of knowledge in cause and effect, far.
mers are not able to communicate their
ideas with the same facility as others, nor
properly to reason upon them. The mer.
chants and manufacturers are congregated
10 towns, and have the advantage of Ii.
braries, lectures, newspapers, and more
ready communication with each hother.-Even
mechanics have great advantages over far.
mers. Let US then shake off tho lethargy
with which we are so justly charged. and be
determined, as we'll as we can, to keep pace
with the manufacturers.
"Other advantages would attend [asri.
cultural education. 1t would nfuse an ad.
mlra,on of nature. THIS would not only
refine the mind, and lead it to enjoy intellec.
,ual pleasures, before unthought Of, but it
would add to the blessings which surround
us, unheeded and unenjoyed. I!would in.
crease the pleasures ef social intercourse
it would teach humanity and kindness to
all around US, and to the brute creation, and
it would also increase our comforts in every
shape. Is there any reason why the far.
mer should uot take his rank in intellectual
society? The youthful mind ought to be
instructed in the principles o. vegetation,
the production of fruits and flowers, chem.
ical agency, and the study of electricity,
that mighty and mysterious power, which
operates through earth and air in manner
very impertectly understood. The advan.
tages of science, are beautifully expressed
by the Rev. Mr.. Whewel, q. the late meet.
| ing at New. Castle The vast scheme OF
law, and order, and beauty, to which science
introduces US, only lifts our thoughts to that
great Being, in whom are the fountains Of
law and order, and who makes the earth his
footstool, and the heavens his temple ,"
"Agriculture was one Of the most impor.
tant, useful, and elegant sciences, Mr..
Gray, ia the Lancashire meeting and took
cognizance both of our subsistence and our
comforts. The cause Of The slow adoption
| Of inproyemeats by farmers, was the want