The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-11
aarienMs.
BY AGRIcoLA.


ton, not only in this State, but In many Of the
States of our Union, is the education of farmers
sons for their profession, that of Agriculture. The
prejudice which has loo long existed among farm
ers and which, il must be admitted, has arisen from
wrong idea of the education proposed, is fast CIV
ing away to the light which experience is bringing
to bear upon this all important matter. No one
thinks of preparing his son to be physician, at
torney, or divine, without providing the means for
his acquiring particular knowledge of the studies
best calculated to prepare him for the pursuit he is
10 follow. When urge the same considerations
upon the farmer in regard to the education OF his
son, for the pursuit of Agriculture, is not unfre-
quenuy said-"What more is necessary than to
learn the lad in the field the routine of farm labor
the practices which have pursued as to the man
ner of preparing my and-the time OF sowing and
planting?" This is all important, and we advocate
no system of education that will dispense with It.
Suppose we should, in the case OF the physician,
adopt the same rule. The young man, instead of
pursuing course Of study by which he is familiar
ly and thoroughly instructed IN the complicated
machinery of the human body, the laws which reg
ulate and govern diseases, the peculiar nature and
habits of disease, begins at once TO visit patients
with the physician pays no attention to the teach
lngs of science and the researches of others; he
might, eventually, acquire information that would
be useful, but how much less likely to be success
full than who, In addition to this practical edu-
ioyed the benefits of thorough education previous
TO entering upon the active duties of his profession
May it not safely be affirmed, that every man in
the community would prefer the one who had COM
bied ,cih practice the thorough preparation of himself
by all the aids which science and the experience of
others had afforded him.
Ii can be hardly necessary in this day of light
and knowledge to attempt to show that there is
much for every farmer to learn from science to aid
him in his work: the nature of soils, their con-
stituent elements, their adaptation TO particular
crops the quality of manures as determined by
analysis, the effect of heat and cold upon vegeta-
ton, and many other things which can be only GER
tainly known through the agency of science. What,
NAV it not be asked, is to prevent every farmer
who shall be thoroughly instructed from awaiting
himself for practical purposes of these advantages
The researches which have been made by scientific
men have developed many interesting and import
ant facts-and the time is not far distant when
many more will be brought TO light, which will
greatly lessen the abors of the farmer, and enable
him, with economy, to adopt system OF farming
that will remunerate him literally.
Perhaps il may be asked, what system, If adopted
here, would thus aid the farmer; Without at this
time giving what | suppose would be system IN
every respect well calculated to accomplish such
result it may be sufficient to say-that school to
prepare young men for the duties that are TO de-
volve upon them should be so arranged as to give
them thorough course OF education, combined
with its practical adaptation TO the entire work of
the farm. even in the most minute portions of labor.
To accomplish this farm of liberal extent must
be connected with the Institution, where expert
ments could in the first place be carefully made on
some small portion Of il, and when satisfactorily
tested be carried into practice IN the general cul-
ture of the farm An opportunity must also be
furnished of testing the qualities OF different breeds
of cattle, horses sheep, and swine. How little is
now really known by the great body of our farm
ers in relation TO these matters. Who Is there,
from actual trial and experiment, Is prepared TO
say which, of all the breeds of cattle is best adapt
ed TO this State for the dairy or for the SHAMELESS
Has a trial and comparison been made between the
different breeds called improved, and the native stock,
that it be said this is the best for the farmers
of New York | answer: No And would ask,
is it not important that these questions so import
ant to the farming interest, should be determined
And would not an institution, dlscreety managed
by udicious, intelligent, and thoroughly qualified
practical man, in time work out for US solution OF
these questionsi So, too, with regard to horses,
sheep and swine-the above remarks are equally
applicable
grains IN use-each has its advocates yetit is
not true that il was decided there some varie-
ties superior to Others and better adapted probably
10 our climate and soils. And where shall these
questions be settled satisfactorily and certain
ly than institution with liberal farm, oil dli-
ferent varieties OF soils, where series OF expert
ments could be carried with all the vaned grams
for term sufficient to test their qualities IN every
respect There are other matters all important TO
be ascertalned and which at present are but little
attended to- at least far the great body OF the
farmers are concerned. ! alude 10 a rotation OF
crops and application Of manures, best calculated
10 give profitable returns TO the farmer while II Sc
cures TO him the constant fertility Of his SOIL
- l.L .ffa ned a an
institution where a series Of experiments with DIFF
tereut CROPS in different rotations and with varied
manures, carefully analysed, could be carried out
In each Of these cases, time ~ necessary 10 obtain
satisfactory results-and the State at an institution
Of this kind could secure such results as would, IN
the end, greatly add TO the prosperity and success
Of the farmer, in the management OF his farm.
Permit me 10 caution my readers not 10 expecl
too much at once from an institution M every re-
,pect rightly adapted to the wants Of The farmer
Time will be required for II to develop It's adyan'
tages The work Of improvement - not the WORK
of day or Of year Experiments, 10 be useful
must be long continued, often repeated, before they
can I've relied upon and although young man
trained in an institution thoroughly, will himself be
prepared 10 do great good, ye, the great practical
benefits 20 the farmer as 10 the general course
Of his operations both a TO his crops, manure'
and animals must be a work Of time, and can
NOT be hastily decided with safety. Time ioi
experiments to be thoroughly tested, time foi
the Investigations TO be 10 every respect careful
Iy made must be allowed. Let this be borne II
mind, and ! doubt not institution, under thu
charge Of properly qualified instructors, men o
mind men Of practical adaptation 10 the wants OF th'
Age-not mere theorists or fancy men, would event
ualy secure the appreciation Of all, and would b'
crowded with the young men Of ourStaie; and voult
annually send forth many in all respects well quail
fed 10 discharge their duties as farmers, and ais
prepared, when called into public life, 10 discharg
their higher duties Representatives Of their pro
fesson. the great producing class Of our country.
Should have leisure, and should you not hav
more important matter for your paper, design q
pursue this subject and give in detail the course Z
be pursued at an Institution which, m my Iudg
ment. would be well designed to accomplish III
great work now needed-tht thorough educ aiion
IN, sons Of Formers.
DEyorIoS-The Pittsburg Gazeue, speaking
the ra WAGES Of the cholera on board the steambo
Wyoming, on her late passage from st. Louis
that place, says
90 There were two females on the Wyomln
Miss add of Ma ysyille and Miss Dillon, Of PITT