Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1852-12-11


a Proper System Of Instruction in AgT'cnt-
tural Science
ANALYTICAL LABORATORY, YALE COLLEGE,
New Haven, Conn, Jan. 81, 1851
/ do not propose to take up the above subject
in its broadcast sense, but TO conflne myself to
comnarativelv limited field. ] shall say little at
present as to the want, felt more and more eve
nv day by an increasing majority among our
farmers. of educational institutions especially
adapted to their wants, but would call attention
to point which has been overlooked by many
in their Jealous advocacy of the general cause.
It seems to me, that a chief reason for the an
nual failure Of so many plans bearing upon the
educational interests of the farmer, may be
found in a real scarcity which exists, of men
competent to take charge Of the proposed insti-
tutions. To those who have never reflected
upon this subject my assertion may seem
strong one, when | say, that if any six States of
the Union were within the present year to make
provisions for the establishment of State agri-
cultural schools, or colleges, within their respec
tive borders-were to endow them largely in
every department-to furnish them with libra
ries, implements, museums, apparatus, buildings,
and proper corps Of professors and teachers to
fill them, will even 20 further than this, and
say, that if in your own State of New York, a
large institution were planned out, and all prop
er departments Of instruction pecuniarily pro-
vided for, it would be difficult matter to fill
them satisfactorily with thoroughly competent
men. Enough of those who would gladly ac-
cept such appointments as might be offered,
could doubtless be found; but the question is,
would they be just such instructors as the farmer
requires?
There are certain points relative TO which he
demands information from various branches of
science, and this information to be Of value must
be correct. Mistakes, blunders, misconceptions,
from the heads of great State school, sent
forth under authority, and promulgated rapidly,
would cause infinitely greater mischief than our
going without school altogether for some years
to come. For such reasons, extreme caution
should be used in the selection of instructors
for any large Or influential school; and for such
reasons, among many others which might be ad-
duced, have ventured to say as above, that we
really have not in the country the men that are
needed
If the farmers of any State were to select
persons to impart instruction, or to serve as ex-
amples, in any practical department of this bust
ness, would they be contented with mere pro-
fessions, or mere hoarsay reports Of their sue
cess or skill? Above all, would they not be dis
posed to question the expertness of one who
protested TO have made himself familiar with
every department Of mere mechanical labor, in
the lapse Of very short time? If teaching the
under every circumstance, were for instance the
object, would they be content with a man who
could only show the experience of one or two
years in the use Of that implement? BY no
means; they would say-we can do as well as
he can ourselves, and do not need such instruc-
ton as this; we want master of the subject
one who has studied it thoroughly in every de-
partment of practice, and has brought an intel
lgent mind to bear upon all the variations of
use and construction in different districts With
q man of less requirement than these, in any
practical matter, no community of farmers
would be satisfied; they would not receive his
advice with respect, and would not consider his
opinion as worth much more than that of any
other intelligent individual.
1 think all will agree with me, that these
views are correct with regard to subjects of pure
practice, and that most farmers would act in
accordance with them. Now, l ask, why do
not the same views obtain with regard to the
teaching of science? We see men who are, in
all ordinary circumstances, shrewd and saga
cious, swallowing every fable that comes to them
in scientific guise.
The merest charlatan may take up his books
and mysterious looking apparatus, and having
familiarized himself with few hard Names is
able to persuade the mass of those who meet
him that he knows everything within, upon,
and above the earth, that explains the action of
natures laws. Allow me to say few words in
direct reference to the falsity, and even absurdi
ty Of such pretensions.
In speaking of the mechanical operations of
husbandry, such as blowing, I have said that as
q general fact entire proficiency could not be at
tanned within one or even two seasons; a long
course of experience was necessary. 1t is then
so much easier to read the laws Of nature, or
rather Of God, which bear upon those wonder
full structures Of plants and animals that we see
about us? In the growth of the humbest weed
that fourishes by the wayside, a series of
changes, transformations, and metamorphoses
60 on, which as yet the highest effort of the
human intellect has failed to fully explain and
elucidate.
To produce the feeble stem which we crush
under our feet in passing, the powers of. earth,
air and water, have joined with those of the far
distant sun, and during its short Tfe it has been
an example of complication of most wonder
full laws, imposed by the Almighty Maker of all.
He has seen fit in his wisdom to ordain that ev-
cry step in knowledge must be won by toll and
exertion, and thus it is in the present case; We
are only able to slowly unfold the wonders that
are occurring on every side, during the every
day experience of life. The field, too, widens
as we advance. until we find that every step has