Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1855-09-13
HO u M a:
THURSDAY, September 13, 1855
Agricultural Education.

Agricultural Education.
1t is a great wonder to what extent the
important science of Agriculture has been
neglected in the United States. This re-
calls to mind subject Of vast moment, not
only to the agricultural interest of our
country, but to every interest and craft
into which human society is subdiyided.
We mean radical defect in the whole
system of education, from the common
school upwards. TO the final graduation at
onr colleges, during the whole OF which
important period of human life, the a,ten-
ton, the ia ,tes, the sympathies of the ed
ucated class are Systematically diverted
aud estranged from the subject of agricul-
turc, and the pursuits Of the great mass Of
our people, as if an evil spirit, rather than
good and bcuntiful God, had first assign
ed to man the cultivation of the earth as
his highest and noblest pursuits if to
keep up the humbug importance of the
learned professions, as if the statesman,
the scholar, the lawyer and divine, need
know nothing, or care nothing, about ag-
riculture-the pursuit, perhaps, Of sixteen
twentieths of our population, and by which
all classes s'live, move, and have their be-
ing;" as if national wealth, independence,
happiness and morality had nothing to do
with the increased products Of the earth.
Now how comes it to pass that in this
boasted republic of almost boundless ex-
tent, Of every variety Of climate, SOIL and
production, that the principle of equality
is entirely reversed that which is snowy
takes precedence Of that which is substan-
tioal-that he who lives by professional
quackery, the honest cheateries Of trade
or gambling speculation, is admitted BY
the consent Of many to higher rank in
the public estimation than the farmer?
We answer, our system Of education lays
permanently at the foundation of this very
state Of things. Admit the science and
art Of agriculture to an equal Importance
in our institutions of learning; with chem
istry, architecture, law, and theology; let
it be considered one of the sister sci
ences, and let stated lectures be deliver
ed TO our young men during the period
Of their collegiate education, on the SCI
ence Of agriculture, as on chemistry.
comparative anatomy, or oriental litera-,
ture. and new day would dawn on the
agriculture of the country, and the con.
dition Of the husbandman.
Is not agriculture as much a science
as law, medicine, theology, or moral phi
losophy! Is there not as much in ag-
riculture to form good, useful and vir-
tuous character in our young men, as
in the discussion and lectures on mere
abstract morals or modern literature!
When men go forth through the length
and breadth of the land, to exert that in
auence upon society, which belongs alone
to education and intelligence, to direct
public sentiment, make laws and rule the
land, in the walks Of private life, in the
halls Of Legislation, agriculture would find
warm and hearty friends, and staunch
and bold advocates in the learned class,
and grants and aids from the States would
be as common to agriculture as they
have been to learning law, medicine, or
theology; and tho now undeard Of dona.
tons for agricultural learning would be-
come as common, and more honorable
and useful, than the foundation Of profss.
sorships Of Greek, Latin, or Oriental Lit
erature.
SrAMfED ENvELopEs.-Ihe National
lntelligencer says that the reasons why a
stamp cut or severed from stamped en-.
Il