The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-03-01
THE STUDY OF AGRlcULTuRE.

80 ""'Sh Auo"ieu5oS fetuEeu ~ MAKE y
good farmer asa good clerk and while soci.
ETY. needs some men in the departments Of
literature, clerkship and oratory, there is quite
as much need OF others who shall be trained
to a scientific knowledge Of the chemical
process by which grains and fruits grow, and
the Circumstance under which the growth Of
each can be improved, and the boun,ies of
nature developed and enjoyed. Tho farmer
who understands enough of agricultural ge.
olosY TO know for wha, grain or produc, the
con %sliluent ingredients of his soil are best
adapted, and enough Of agricultural chemis-
try 10 know what ingredient his soil lacks TO
make it as fruitful as The best, enjoys grea,
advantage ossr his neishbor. Every boy
who rambles over the hilisides and through
the fields can understand the illustrations in
the study of agriculture, and in a number Of
states it is taught in the common schools. In
New Hampshire this is the case, and books
treating of The elements OF that science have
been ordered to be supplied 10 the pupils,
In Vermont the legislature, at its presen;
session, authorized the purchase by the State
of a sufficient number Of copies of Warnings
Elements OF Agriculture" 10 secure full al
,ertion toward it, and made provision for the
introduction OF study into every school un.
der he Stale supervision. 10 this State no
legislative action is necessary, but i, will not
be long until agriculture will be more taught
in our common schools Than book keeping.
Richard Bedford, the County Superintend-
ent Of Sullivan, in his last years report 10 The
School Department: of This State calls atten-
lion 10 the sutject in such judicious and SEN
sible remarks IS we are well pleased 10 ex.
tract.
The Superintendent will pardon the free.
dom which take, in this my first repo II
should mostrespectfully suggestion the con-
sideralion OF the Department, The importance
OF Introducing The study of agriculture into
our common schools, in the rural districts Of
the State. The King of Sparta being inter-
rosated, "What things be thought most prop
er for9oystolearn - answered, "thoselhings
which they expect TODD whenlhey are nen.n
Our professional men, our mechanics, and
artisans, spend from seven 10 fourteen years,
in making themselves acquainted with The
respective professions and caliihgs which
4 lacy are intending 10 pursue, whsn they be-
4coi1t8 I rnstuFes aye, is il not The mani.
lei aaI fhs bsd6}yids for ,hs n:
ssucli5aa n III, blAaok ! j Sess|Ba Il il;
I r1alqary sehoos e U q 81 aurseropsclass
of DO aIe idfAlzz6ki Is 1nf pnbiic.
c~esoFpcpuliai, sdusslida lhl6a b6alh ~eisH6slf,
and breadth of our Commonweailh! "A1del
ementarv textbook might DO obtained, as
complied for the purpose, containing lessons
on agricultural chemistry, geology, mineral.
osy, manures, grams, grasses and roots, best
breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and swine, az.
ricul,ural implements draining and sub.soil.
ing, and the best plans for rural architecture
for farm houses and Out. buildings, which
would be of immense benefit 10 the popula.
lion Of our rural districts, giving al least the
germ Of broad and noble thought, making
agriculture iobecomea delightful honorable,
and much more profitable employment, and
adding UNNECESSARILY 10 the productive cap
ital of our already wealthy State. There is
a late issue from the press OF Messrs. D.. APP.
pleton g. Co, New Yors, Of 2ss pages duo
decimo, relailed at seveuty.five cents, by
Geo. E. Warning, ir, very highly recommen-
ded by Professor James ]. Mapes, editor Of
of the "Working Farmer" have moi ye,
seen it. ltmay be all that Is desirable for
our schools"