Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-20

the greAtesL V&lue IN prdcJlcdl NE ulsCI-
plined power and developed strength are
a prerequisite. Every successful teacher
will concur in the statement that the short
est road 10 q practical knowledge Of ap-
piled science is through a mastery of the
principles and laws of pure science. Many
of the simplest questions of agriculture, for
example, require for their intelligent So
luton a knowledge of branches of learn
ing which apparently have no relation to
practical agriculture. Besides the student
Of agriculture, theoretical or practical,
must bring to the task a mind trained TO
scientific investigation. It is true that
such study will itself afford degree OF
mental discipline, but there must also be
developed strength as anecessary prepare
tion for such study. The same act holds
true in all professional or special instruc-
ton. Hence it is that the discipline ac-
quired in the thorough mastery Of study
which has little apparent value in pFacti-
cal life, may be Of the very greatest utility
as a means of reaching those facts that are
practically useful. Development thus be-
comes the gateway to practical knowledge.
N principle in education is better settled
than this.
Any attempt to educate youth for spe-
cial pursuit, which does not include the
idea of mental discipline as prerequisite
for the special training, must prove q fail
ure. 1t always has proved such, and al
ways will.
Beside all this, as is well maintained by
Mr.. White, the first step, even in an agri-
cultural education, is to educate man as
man, and not as an instr1naent. There is
something more to be made out of young
man than the mere mschine-farmer; he is
to be citizen and man also.
Of the diferert plans already suggested
there are three:
l. Il is proposed to establish aseparate
and independent institution, in which shall
be taught all the higher branches of sci
entifc and classical education, with school
of military tactics, departments of sgri-
culture, commerce and the mechanic arts,
and large experimental farm
1t is claimed that this plan enbodies the
design and scope of the act Of Congress.
2. A second plan proposed is to divide
the grant between the two State Universi-
ties (Ohio and Miami) and to organize in
each an agricultural and mechanical de-
psrtment.
3. Another plan is to divide the grant
between number of colleges, located in
different parts of the State, and to organize
in each an agricultural and mechanical de-
psrtment.
The Commissioner does not second ei-
ther of these, but suggests one which, he
thinks, combines the merits of all three.
Without presuming at present to discuss
his plan, but waiving remarks for another
occasion, we append the plan proposed,
observing merely that it meets our appro-
baton better than the three given above:
Without stepping to discu the merits
of these several plans, wish to propose
still another, which in my judgment, COM
bines largely the advantages Cf all the
Others and promises greater success than
either.
Inasmuch SIS the course of instruction
naturally divides itself, as we have seen
into two courses-general, or preparatory,
and special, OF PROFESSIONAL suggest
Luhh Cu6 udIl VI Luis luuu Do EEk hDhIh lDI
the establishment and endowment of q
central institution of professional chsrac-
ter, the "leading object" Of which shall be
ito teach such branches of learning as are
related to agriculture and the mechanic
arts, with school of military tactics, etc
The instruction in this department should
deal largely with the applications of sci
snce, and should be, to considerable ex-
tent, experimental TO this end, large
experimental farm and the smplest means
for scientific investigation should be pro-
vided. AS an incidental, yet important,
feature of this department, courses of prac-
ticsl lectures on agriculture and the me-
chsnic arts might be given for the benefit
of those engaged in these pursuits, and
unable to enter upon full course of study |
The other half of the fund may be divi-
ded between three well endowed colleges,
located in different parts of the State and |
industrial departments, or departments of |
applied science be organized in two of |
them, snd normal department in the |
third. The course of instruction in each |
Of the branch industrial departments should |
be so arranged as to afford thorough and |
and complete preparation for the expert
mental study of agriculture and the me-
,hanic arts. This preparation will include
necessary mental culture and thorough
knowledge of the natural sciences, the ele-
nents of agricultural science, etc. As
these colleges have well endowed literary
departments (pure science included,) the
advantages in this direction
would be already provided. Inssmuch SIS
many industrial students would not be able
o take full literary and scientific course,
for more restricted scientific
'ourse should be made. The three prepar-
ltory departments should be made branch
s of the central or experimental institu-
ion.