Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-11-15
gotal 8tpntmtnt,
THURSDAY, NOV, 18th 1860.
rar-o scaooI, Beliefoate &c.

I had the pleasure, yesterday, OF passing
a brief hour at the Farmers High School, al
institution not as well known and understood
as it deserves and will be hereafter By the
peopls Of Pennsylvania 1t Is located in the
centre of this county, in Nittany Valley, on
what are com monty known as The BarTens,
a name by no msans applicable TO the rich
and yerdant tract of country surrounding the
Institution. The land comprising this farm
was originally owed by Gen. James Irwin,
ca uncle Of the RePublican Governor elect OF
Peaosylvaoia, and generously donated by
him to the uses Of the Farmers High School
Altogether the farm embraces fur hundred
acres, two hundred Of which are under cult
vation, tue necessary manual labor is perfor-
med entirety by tbs s.udeDts of the institu-
tion. The system of education adopted here
is on the manual labor plan. A certain
number of hours are devoted 10 the usual
work of farm, each boy, or number of
students arranged in companies, being ap-
pointed 70 the performance of a certain rou-
tine OF daily labor, to be changed as the boy
grows ia strength aud knowledge. ln this
manner boy first acquires that theoretical
knowledge of farming which is essential TO
successful practical pursuit of agrlculture.
He is taught the prjcess OF frultlhcatIon by
a study Q: chemistry-becomes acquainted
with the different qualities OF soil, the intiu-
ence Of all kinds Of manures, and their gen
eral fitness for different crops, by the same
study and Influence Of chemistry. By such
study of chemistry, successful farming can
only be achieved. Without e thorough know
ledge Of this science, or at least sufficient
knowledge Of It's influence TO understand Its
uses, no man should attempt to cultivate the
SOIL 1he Farmers Higa School 70 designed
to impart this knowledge not only to the stu
dents within it's walls and at work on Its
land. bat it is engaged in and publishes a
regular list of experiments made IN raising
crops, germenating seeds and grating frult
krees. 4 glance at such an institution Will
at once impress the readers Of the Telegraph
with its Importance. The boy who graduates
here, has besides a regular English education,
a practical knowledge of the practi scien-
ces which he could acquire at no other instl-
tuition. He is taught, also. TO understand
and cultivate the breeding and training OF
stock, SO as to perfect them also to the uses
of the farmer for all bis purposes of labor
and eusteEance.
The number of students at present in this
institution. did not ascertain, but there are
a great many, and all Of them appear 10 be
bows were more healthy than is presented by
the usual appearasce Of boys subjected TO the
restrictions and studies of the class room. L
attributed this fact to the exercises and the
labor i'll the field apd the discipline as well
as order of blending labor of all kinds WITH
all kinds Of studies. Every lad is taught to
dspend on his own efforts for his necessities
and comforts. Industry is impressed on him
as q manly as well as a moral virtue. His
studies all tend to practical results-his les
sons develop his mind and his person, leav-
ing him the gratifying contemplation OF
achieysmenss which be, and not others, ac-
CON plished. Tha people of Pennsylvania
cannot foster such an institution too LIBERAL
Iy. In connection with our present system
of free school education this institution sho'ld
be sustained as one of the prou3est evidences
Of our generosity as a Commonwealth, and
edva1cement "a a people. Dir. Pugb, the
principal, is man of rare attaiuments and
ability. Under his charge the school is daily
becoming more profcisnt and popular, and It
sustained by the people and the State, as Il
should be, it must become soMe cay an lnsti-
tuition of iucacuiable value and influences, IN
connection with similar sch oois, TO the people
of the whole country.
Thsre ia nothing new in Ballefonte- not
even the new Governor elect, who has been
called hence on professional business. 1t IS
not very pleasant. this being conhned within
the narrow linits Of a village, with nothing
new TO attract or muse one, with towering
clouds in the horizon, and an atmosphere as
full Of mist as lager soaked mein beer is full
of fight. Beileionte with its Ewo thousand in
habitanss, its fine churches, popular academy
aud efficient public schools. is not the least
attractive village fn this State. II were al
lowed to deei.le, would reonounce it one, II
rot tie most beautiful vilege in Pepnsyl-
yania. God Aas done more than man for the
beauty Of the locality Man could do DO
moro shan ne has done, were he as much wed
dad to beauty as be seems 70 be. to wealth. OF
those agsrandising proportions which neifh-
er delight the eye or the soul. The locality
OF the village ia among collection OF hills
that give it very picturesque appearance,
AID AZ the village extends its limits, and tn 9
hei ghts are occupied with more of those beau
tifui cottage residences which have been
erected on their brows withia the last few
wears, the effect 10 appearance will add con-
sidsrsh DIV to the attraction of Belefonte. The
country is rugged, and requires considerable
labor to aiorn artstically-but that labor
soon repays the man who bestows it, not on
ly by the comforts be gathers around him'
self, but by the abundance with which the
earth yields to the industry OF man, As an
agricultural region, no portion Ut Pennsyl'
vanls, IS more prolific than that which com
poses tba vsllies OF Centre county and the
surroundings Of Belefonte. Added to these
attractions, it cannot be far distant wheI
Bellsfonte must become one of the creates
manufacturing and business towns in the
Union. There is certainly every attraction
here to make investment profitable. The nat
ural resources of the county, its minera
wealth, water power, healthy climate, viii
some day be taken advantage of, if not by
those who now enjoy themselves in the em'
brace of such cozy ease within its precints, 5y
the stranger, who will amass the wealth
which lies hidden and unsealed within and
around these hills. to excite the envy ant
jealousy of those who disregarded the invita-
tioe of that wealth to become its possessor
Nor is Bellefonts the only village in this To-
cality. of which the same can be written II
regard 10 this lack Of home enterprise. ThiI
whole region Of country seems to contribute
Its wealth and production to enrich other To-
calities and bless and benefit other people
Why this is go, others must answer. 1t Ger
tainly does not become me to make the ex
PLANTATION, however much l may regret tn
circumstances. If the man of capital Is sat
is6ed he ia doing justice tc those who assis
ted Tim in pilliDg up his fortune, by making
lis investments abroad instead OF at home