Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-04-25
AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY-No. Xxx.
BY JOSIAH HoLBRoOK.

OCHoolS gave tHe HIST impetus 10 SeOiNiSlCdl
surveys. The impetus thus given has led to
Legislative action for such surveys in almost ev-
cry State in tho Union. BY such action the
treasures of wealth and of science have been in
creased TO an unbounded extent Thousands
upon thousands of scientific collcctons have
been made ; hosts of scientific men have been
made; hosts of scientific men have been raised
up, now scattered over our whole country, and
hidden treasures of wealth brought TO view for
the special benefit of farmers, and, directly or in
directly, of every American citizen.
The unparalleled progress made from such
humble beginnings, in the advancement of these
two great national objects, science and wealth,
renders the completion or future progress of the
work easy and certain. The schools of the coun-
try, indeed of all countries, are certain to be
furnished with Cabinets of Nature and ART as
instruments Of primary instruction; thus giving
to young minds at their start after knowledge
real substantial ideas, instead of the mere signs
of ideas. AS many thousand such collections
have already been made by the pupils needing
them, both at school and at home, by the aid OF
these, tens and hundreds of thousands will soon
be added to the number. At least, Cabinet of
Agricultural Geology must inevitably soon be
placed in each of the hundred thousand of Amer
lean enthusiastically if not literally.
From such provision, four advantages are
evident; each making large returns for the out
lay. First, increased qualification of teachers
all teachers. Snch cabinet, properly explain
cd by n manual must increase knowledge and
awaken mind in any teacher using it, giving in
creased value TO his instructions far beyond its
cost. To certain extent it might give TO eve
~ teacher the advantage of normal school,
brought to his own door, and into his own field of
labor. Second, it would secure more effec-
fiyya, Of E,nl .L.Il.
touching schools is more universal on either con-
tinent than the partial or defective application of
public funds provided for their use A step so
certain to awaken general interest, and to enlnht-
en- the public mind, could not fail to suggest
some better modes, or to correct some defects in
applying funds provided for all. Third, the de-
velopment of mineral and other natural resour-
ces. Collections likely to be made within q
week after receiving q cabinet, properly labelled
arranged, and described, must amount to many
times its cost. Discoveries would also be made,
not unfrequeny, of rich ores useful minerals and
beautiful gems, furnishing valuable resources to
farmers, mechanics, and artists. Fourth the
advancement of farming interests. No one step
could probably meet SO directly or so effectualy
the desire now common among farmers for agr-
cultural science. Every farmer, still better,
farmers sons, might be put in way to analvze
resources, and the best modes of improving them.
To these four advantages, certain to arise from
cabinets of agricultural geology for schools, ma
ny others might be added; but, as each of these
, must exceed many times the cost of the outlay,
more cannot be needed.
ExPERlMENTs.-Some four years since, the
pupils of the New York schools were requested
by their Superintendent and Trustees TO make
collections for their schools and their homes 49,
Within three weeks from the time Of that request,
not less than fifteen thousand Family Museums
were commenced, each containing specimens
showing the elements of mou2tains, rocks, and
soils, with other natural and artificial curositcs
A similar request by Superintendents and Trus-
tees of schools generally through the country
must soon render collections of nature and art
among the most common, as tley evidently
would be among the most interesting, of house
hold utensils.