Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-03-02
Agricultural Education.

We are glad that the Legislature Of
Vermont has been the first to pass law
introducing an Agricultural Book into
Common Schools. The title of the law is
Gan Act to Encourage the Study Of Ag-
riculturc in the Common Schools" and
the book selected for the distribution is
'Waring's Elements Of Agriculture better
than which, to this time, dues not exist
The following is copy of the law:
l. The Governor is hereby authorized
to purchase Que copy of Warm. Elements
Of Agriculture, for each town in the State,
and to draw an order on the Treasurer for
the payment Of the same.
2. One of these books shall be placed
in the hands of the Superintendent Of
Schools of each town, with Instructions to
examine it with regard to its merits, and
(he) shall report to the Clerk Of the said
town, what number Of copies, if any, are
required for the use of the Common
Schools of the said town.
8. The legal voters of each town shall,
at the next annual town meeting, vote
whether or not the town shall purchase
the number of books recommended by the
Superintendent aforesaid, and the Town
Clerk shall report to the uoycrnor OF the
State the result Of such ballot.
i. The Governor shall then order to
be manufactured, in such style as he shall
deem expedieu., sufficient number of the
books to supply the demand by the aforc-
said ballot, Sc.
The preliminary purchase has been
made, and measures are being taken
to introduce these books as generally,
as even such high sanction seems to
justify. This little work viii prove
q pioneer in the dissemination of agri-
cultural knowledge among the rising
generation, and will at least encourage a
taste for that class of reading which is
most needed by the youth of our country;
far while We freely admit that bellies let
tres requirement is Of use to every one,
still We cannot but observe that the gener-
al tendency of the public mind is rather
instruction Of an amusing kind, than that
of more utilitarian order. Why Is it
tha. almost every individual is conversaut
with prominent points Of English history,
and stu. know So little of all the useful
arts? Ii We consult the Happiness Of
man alone, irrespective Of his immediate
profit ami consequent comfort, we shall
even then fud that those who have devo-
ted themselves to 50 much Of the study Of
sne arts and science as will enable them to
enjoy the observance of Natures laws, are
&c bappiest, and it IS for this reason that
pry- who bavc spent part Of their life in
'.a country, and have lftcrward received
Elisac3 eiucarions, form that portion Of
aur community who are most observant OF
tsa.i.>, a.:d NJ he prominent men in our
legislative IA IS. mercantile and manufac.
t...ne cammu,irias. etc. This clement oi
.uiGi. tca r.E-~ 20 ea-ervr truths, is pc
rs. a'.. B., .ea .A,aGs arc al ried them il
ear, life time, canuot but tend 10 th'
rrogrcss of the nation at large; thu, il
rural districts good elementary works OF
agriculture should be placed in the hand
of youth; in manufacturing districts thos
on mechanical philosophy should hold
similar place, and in one or two genera
tions the peculiar property of the Ameri
can mind, utilitariau ioveu,ion, would b
rendered the great engine for na.ioua. aG
vanccment. 1t is BY such means tha. on
happy country may approach her des.in,
and the world may be presented with ii
before unknosn epoch, of an educated a
ricultanl community - Working Farn,s