Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-09-30

The above is fac smile of the Fren CHI
Merino Buck, imported and owned by that
lndeatigable farmer and extensive sheep
EDucArIoN or FARMgRs SoNs.-What
can be done with present meansl This
question is well answered by Samuel w.
Johnson, Cortland Co ~ Y. in the Albany
Cutiyator.
! While much has been said, both wisely
and unwisely, concerning the establishment
of great Agricultural Schools; aud while
all attempts towards their endowment by
state funds, have signaly iailed-is it not
well to consider what can be accomplished
with Existing means! The establishment
of Agricultural Colleges, is certainly, on
all accounts, desirable; and it is to be hop
ed that the friends of agriculture will rally
upon their next legislatures, IN full force,
and carry their measures in New-York and
Massachusetts, at least. But we have al
ready the means with which to work vast
change, and one scarcely less great, than
any contemplated institution could perform.
Our COMMON SCHOOLS are the starting
point. Here let the efforts of the friends of
rational hus bandry commence. Are there
not enough readers of the Culiivator, aud
kindred publications in one-half the school
districts Of this state, to discuss the subject
of agricultural education. in the school
meetlnrs Let care be taken that trustees
aud superin,eudents of the common schools
be instructed to secure and encourage teach
ers, who will instruct in scientific agricul-
ture.
Let our County Az. Societies secure the
services of some COMPETENT person to attend
teachers Institutes, aud communicate in
slructons aud enthusiasm to teachers, so as
to fit them more perfectly to teach farmers
sons.
Let them also offer premiums to teachers,
and classes, who shall teach and learn the
most, aud the best of this subject
should like to see such an announce
meut as the following from the Lewis Co. Ag.
Society:
For the encouragement Of the study of
Agriculture in our common schools, the So
cIety offers The following premiums TO teach
ers and scholars, to be awarded at the coun-
~ fair, Sept. 1853.
list premium. To each member of the
class, not to exceed 10 in number that eyin-
ces the best knowledge of Prof Noron's
Elements Of Scientific Agriculture, a copy
of Johnston's Lectures on Ag Chemistry
aud Geology TO the teacher, Stephens
Farmers Guide. 2d premium. TO each
member of the second best class not exceed
ing ten, Thomas Fruit Culturst. To the
teacher Coman's European Agriculture
Classes to he examined by their teachers.
before questioning and Judging commit
tee, consisting of ID. p. Mayhem, A. NJ,
principal of Lowyille Academy, Hon. Fran
els Separ. and Rev Calvin Yale. town sup
erintendent of Martinsburgh.
/ Would that the quotation marks. that en-
close the above paragrapb. were warranted
Would not such premiums give impulse to
the study of agriculture Would not as
much interest be excited in such an exhl-
bition, as in that Of farm products, or Of
blowing matches
cannot forbear here remarkiua. that the
substitution of useful books or farm and
horticultural indictments for uopey nremi-
ums would accomplish vast rood in raising
the tone of agricultural practIce. There is