The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-11

We publish the following at the request OF
the author, without giving any opinion oil the
scheme proposed
PETITION,
Praying the establishment Of department of
the Government, 10 be called the Depart
ment Of Agriculture and Education.
To The Honorable The Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of The United Siates.
The memorial respectfully represents
That the prosperity Of the country would
be greatly promoted by the establishment OF a
new department styled the Department OF Ag-
riculture and Education, and by requiring OF
primary school-teachers and others in making
out reports on the state of education in their
respective schools, to report to said depart
ment, assisted by the farmers, laborers, me-
chanics, merchants, architects, artists, profess
sona men, manufacturers, naval and army off-
GERS, soldiers, seamen, &C., describing the
soil, minerals, natural products, crops, build
ings, agricultural and mechanical implements,
&C., Of these school districts respectively |:
saying what raw materials may be brought
into use advantageously TO the proprietor and
to the country what new crops may be INTRO
duced with profit; what rotation oil crops |;
what agricultural, mechanical, or other imple-
ments; what improvements IN the construc-
ton OF the buildings; what manufactures |;
what discoveries have been made in natural
history and the sciences premiums to be given
for useful dIscoveries) The microscope, ba-
rometer. thermometer, rain-gague, telescope,
and chemical apparatus, to be used IN the
schools, to aid in the study Of natural history,
the useful and fine arts, and the sciences to
ascertain the habits and changes of insects
that are destructive to our staple crops, fruits,
vegetables, flowers, plants, shrubs, fruit, orna-
mental forest trees, and animals, together with
the changes OF the weather, records OF which
to be kept, not only with a view to observe its
effects on vegetation, but to guard against its
changes. What tests are used to ascertain
the comparative value Of agricultural, mecha-
meal and other implements what chemical
tests to ascertain the quality OF soils, minerals,
manures, &c. whether astronomy be studied
with view to the application Of that science
whether school or public Libraries be estab-
lished, and the character of such; the mode
of instruction used by each in practical horti-
culture, from the planting Of the seeds, bud
ding, ENGRAVING of fruit, ornamental forest
trees, &C., to the transplanting, pruning, &c. /;
and whether the art of ascertaining the quality
Of the fruit timber, &C., especially of the
birds-eye maple, morus multicauls, and null
berry, from the leaf, bark, or growth, be at
tanned. Also, what attention to vocal and liz
strumental music, as we'll as the general sta
tistcs of their respective districts, statues,
paintings, engravngs, and drawings or pencil
sketches, to be given Of such things or on such
subjects rs may seem advisable, with ascer-
tanned remedies for and against existing and
periodical evils. Also specimens Of the insects,
plants, minerals, &c. with the character of
such), Of their districts, respectively so as to
establish, on an enlarged system, National
and State museum. Information collected as
above, through foreign ministers and other
sources, to be condensed and sent to each
teacher: thus keeping the teachers and youth
of the country up with the improvements Of
the age, the history Of the year.
Design Of Primary School for tie States.