Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-03-18
For the Journal
Town Farmers COLLEGE.

Mr. EDITOR: Il wish to say few words
to those who live in city and town; and l
am the more encouraged to do this from the
fact tina since have been advocating the
cause of this Institution have frequently
appealed personally to my friends in the city
with this proposition. If we had farmers
school in successful operation in this State
where scholars had to wo. k few hours each
Cay, and where they could learn the cultiva.
ton of the soil, would you prefer it to our
usual schools, for your boys? The answer
has been almost entirely in the affirmative.
In some instances the reply has been that
they do not know what the success or use
fune,s of such institutions is going to be.
l would say to all such persons, whose faith
is weak, and to all whose hands are too del
icate, and their education too refined, or
whose time is better employed, than to till
the ground, that they have ever looked or
set aside some "of the more weighty matters
of the law" of our nature, namely: Health,
Cultivation Of The Earth, and Education.
esteem these great fundamental truths of
our existence in the order in which l have
arranged them; and these three immutable
things, when based upon "Love to God and
Love to our Felloao Beings" then we offer
each as near perfection as is the lot of man.
Mechanical works some of them are
more detrimental and some of them less,
than idleness is; but none of them will
secure health and develop man, like the til
lage of the earth. In order to secure health
it is essential that the mind must be health
full, quiet, peaceful, coutented, not dead or
dormant, but good, brisk, proper exercise,
as with the body.
Next comes the moral influence of Agri-
culture and Horticulture. To tend the focks
and herds, to work among the fields and gar
dens, and fruits and flowers, gives the mind
that moral turn-that steady frmness and
independence which is not to be found else.
where. Although two thirds of our popu-
lation are employed in the pursuit of farm
ing, we do not find our Asylums, Aims
houses and Penitentiaries filled from this
source. The cultivators of the soil own
property and pay more taxes than all others
combined, yet their expense to the govern
ment is not more than one-fifth that of
others.
give these statements to show the moral
influence of the occupation.
Few men, in any occupation, but have
wish and an intention at some day to Guilt
vate the soil. And W. en- they have devoted
the prime and flower of their lives to pro-
fessional, mercantile or mechanical calling,
and are ready to retire from their life-wear-
ing tolls, to ease and comfort, they seek the
acres Of the open, sunny, airy, green earth,
and love it's beauty and goodness. IT'S the
natura! place for man, and why will he not
seek it :? And when, on the rough voyage
of life in other occupations, the storm has
proved too much for him, he longs for land,
and signs for knowledge Of the pillow, and
seeding of the eorth, that he again may eat
his own bread in peace, and partake OF the
fruit of his own vine and tree. And if he
has half his vital constitution left, the gen
tie hand of nature and natures free air,
which is our life's vigor, will help to re-
gain what he has lost. And then the un-
fortunate mans wife and children, how
much more infinitely better off in the coun-
try than in the city where if they ere not
fools-if they possess call knowledge en-
bracing that OF Rural Affairs they will find
such sympathizing friends as they will not
be likely to in the city.
This plan of Agricultural Education, and
education in Horticulture and Rural affairs,
is quite new in this country, and its great
benefits, so very imperfectly understood, in
its moral, political and healthful influences,
that am induced to believe that we do not
truly live in progressive age; and that
these rural aud industrial schools, will
spring up all over the country, as numerous
as cities are and that they will be not on
ly for boys, but for girls also. I believe the
time Will soon come, when the girls of Mus
catino will delight in beautiful flower gar
demand its work, attached to High School.
Do you desire health Wnat ID it worth :?
Parents you have duty to perfor,ni If
you wish to endow your children with the
good things of this world, pause for mo-
ment in this progressive age, and see what
new fashions ought to be adopted. One Of
the most eminent men in the North West
writes me
eyes, Yes, 1 believe in physical as well
as mental training, and would give girls the
same chance the boys have. Our daughters
ride, drive, run, play ball and skate as well
as their brothers, and so0rk IN the garden,
as we'll as in the kitchen, and on the sewing
machine. would have every girl scientific
cook, and mine are not backward in that
branch of their education"
trust there are many who will appreci-
ate-nay, all will, when they give the sub
iect due consideration-this sentiment, this
practical training of the family of truly
great good and wise man, who has been
q eat, benefactor and educator in our North
West.
Let US again reflect upon this sentiment,
Health, Cultivation Of the Earth, Educa-
ton. S. FOSTER
Mrs. PARr1NeroN PATRIOTIC "Hurra 20
said Ike, as he read the fact in the papers,
sshere's O'Regan admitted into the Union"
"A furriner, should judge" remarked Mrs.
Partingto,, looking very wisely at the steam
that rose from the tea cups sad formed in
one cloud near the ceiling, "but Pm glad
they've let him come in to enjoy our polit-
ical rights and lefts and other perogatives.
1 don't believe that man should be cut off
because he wasn't born in this country for
twenty-one years, which of course wasn't