Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-07-09
From the Pennsylvania Farm Journal.
The Education of Farmers Daughters.

Mr. EDIToR As can not think the
Farm Journal designed to lay before its
readers such matters only as relate to
plowing, planting, moving, reaping, &c,
and the education of turner's sons, ask a
place in your columns for few remarks on
subject interesting alike to all-the ed
ucation Of farmers daughters.
Much has been said and written on the
subject of education The merits Of collie
ges, academies and agricultural schools
have been thoroughly discussed. But
these all refer to the boys, while the girls
are wholly uncared for, as though the cul-
tivation of their intellects was a matter of
trifing importance. The general impress.
ion appears to be, that they would make
just as good wives and daughters with no
more education than enabled them to read
their Bible and almanac, as if their intel
lectual training were such as every farmers
daughter should be. Does not the mother
exert controlling influence over her child;
and do not her teachings and example, in
nine cases out Of ten, mould It's future
character ? Many of the greatest and
best men who have ever lived, attribute
their virtues and greatness to the tender
counsels of their mothers. Who among
us, does not owe much that is commenda-
bic in our characters to the same source?
How frequently do we hear the folly and
wickedness of individuals attributed to
the ignorance Of their mothers?
If, then, so much depends upon the
kind of teachings mother is capable Of
imparting to her children, how important
does the education of the farmers daugh-
tiers become, and with what solicitude
should parents endeavor to prepare them
for the highly responsible stations of wife
and mother, which they may be called to
fill.
Although my remarks will apply with
equal force to all classes of society, my OBJ
ject is, to draw the special attention of the
farmers to this subject, because think it
has been less seriously considered by them
than it deserves to be. Nowadays, almost
every farmer possessed of the means, ap-
pears desirous of giving his sons liberal
education. This is highly commendable
but at the same time it should not be for
gotten that his daughters have an equal
claim upon his regard. 1t is, with me,
question, which of the two-tLe education
of the son Or the daughtcr-is the most
important. But leaving this question for
the present, it is enough for US to know,
that the prosperity and happiness of the
individual, the family and the nation, de-
mand that where it is practicable, the
blessings of education should be extended
to all
Almost every farmer who has given his
Sons liberal education is convinced of its
utility. If education is beneficial to the
son, why not to the daughter2 Are her
duties any less important than his Has
she not the moulding of the character of
future generations? Should not the moth
sr be competent to instruct her offspring
in many of those branches of education in
which her gentle care and affection make
her the most fitting instructor? None but
hose who have never known the inestima-
Die value of a kind mothers teachings will
lissent from this.
But my remarks are growing too '
engthy 1 shall therefore conclude them
or the present, promising to renew the Q
subject in future numbers of your valuable i
Journal, should you deem them of sufi- t
lent Importance to present to your readers.
Yours, PLow Boy. a
June 90, 1851. n
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