Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-10-29
On ,hc Methods of Icn rning Practical Hns-
bnndry.

We made some suggestion in former ari
Gle (page 202,) as to the need Of young men
acquiring practical as well as theoretical
knowledge of farming before embarkirg in il
as business, and as to the benefits that would
he conferred Oh Young men seeking such knowl-
edge, b. experienced farmers letting it he
known through the agricultural papers or other
agencies, that they would receive pupils for one
or more years.
Since writing that article, we have given fur
ther atlealion to the subject, and find that in
Great Britain this is a very common method
of nstructing youth in the elements of agricul-
lural science. Many farmers in the lowlands
of Scotland, says Mr.. Stephens, in his " Book
of the Farm" practice the mixed hushandry,
as do also the farmers in the border counties of
England and Scotland. and they accept pupils
who go there in considerable numbers to pre-
pare themselves to become agricutursis. The
American edition of Mr.. Stephens book men,
tions an inst Of the son of gentleman of
fortune in Paterson, New JERSEY. going to re-
side with Scotch farmer near AYR, aud pay
ing for the privilege $500 year. Our farm
ers could afford to receive pupils or apprentices
who would assist in the routine ut work tOr a
slight pecuniary compensation, though in cases
where the farming Was high, or scientific and
al ention given to instruclng the pupils in TIE
various processes and details, the latter could
well afford 10 pay considerable fee tor TIE
benef ,hus conferred. Mr.. stephens consid-
ers three Years ot apprenticeship requisite TO
give pupil an adequate knowledge of farm
l in siIt.h "A KIN uI.tls tS MOulu
with the conf lence ut being himself able 10
manage farm. With US two wears would suf-
! flee, though less than that time would not ans
wer, as in addition to seeing the occupations
/ on II well managed farm, several months would
| be probably employed in rejecting upon and
study ing out the reasons why " at the vail
Gus modes of work and their results.
Of the three classes of Young men who he
take themselves to iarming-ihose born aud
brought up ON a farm, those brought up To
work during youth, but who for season EN-
bark in other pursuits, and those who have
! been educated in town ar city, and have new
er put hand to the pluw, the latter OF course
need the most elementary instruction, and in
this class will be many who by means of iheir
wealth may exert great influence upon The nS-
ricultural intereSts-whO will be look up to
in the places where they may live, and whose
methods of farming will be initiated for good
or evil by thr farming community about them
!. A notable example of this occurred some years
since in Berkshire Co., NJ ,ss,, where Young
wealthy and enthusiastic educated agriculturi>
settled down, near the pleasant village of lie
nox, introduced all the then new improve
ments, encouraged meetings where 'trmer
most did cougregut" and learn from eael
other, and agricultural publications showed the
successful result of his high farming, and gav'
such an impetus to the Improvements OF ihos'
in the same business, that it is said the prof.
ucls of the county have been doubled by The
inctement of his teaching and example.
The pupil who lakes the method Of iearn'nl
/ farming ON farm, must not expee mneh oIa
, instruction from his preceptors' Our iarhe'
as class, are like their bovines, Illuminating