Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-04-01
Agriculture in Common Schools.

We rejoice in the proofs which are aecumu-
lutiug on every hand, of an increasing and
widely spreading interest in industrial cduca-
ton Especially is it apparent that the
American people are rapidly approximately
toward the conclusion that the successful c19-
tisation Of The soil is the great source of ma
tional happiness, wealth aud independence
The endowment of Agricultural College. in
the several States of the Union, under the
land grant of Congress, has done much, and
will doubtless do vastly more, in this direction,
both as an end and means Men of educa-
cation and scientific attainment will be called
to fill the proiessorshps in these colleges
multitudes Of young men will be attracted
thither, aud the discoveries of science will
serve to elevate, dignity and reward the tiller
Of the soil. But the benefits Of these colleges,
great and invaluable as thty may be, will new
er reach the mass of the children in our COM
mon schools. And the very class that will
fail to be thus reached are those who most
need the advantages Of such an education, to
aid them in the life of industrial toll to which
they are destined Would it not be well
then, to introduce into ali our common schools
i some primary WarkS inaiil4aii.,., al-- 4l--~aS
tary principles Of science as applied to agri-
culture In this way the foundation for a
thorough industrial education would be laid ;
Il correct taste would be formed, and even the
advantages of our Agricultural Colleges
would become ten-ioid greater, because more
generally sought after and appreciated.
We are happy to know, by the report of
the Department of Agriculture at Washing
ton that this subject is beginning to engage
the attention of many prominent and distin-
/ guished gentlemen, and that series Of suita-
bic manuals, of foreign origin, have been sub
mitted to several officials and men of science,
with view to their introduction into the ell
ementary schools of the land They embrace
the principles Of agricultural geology, chemis-
try, farm accounts, farm practice, and domes-
tic economy, and are prepared by men well
known to science and also to practical agr-
culture This is an important sep in the
right direction, but the vital demands of the
subject will never be met until works are sup
piled by american writers. The Department
well say, the peculiar circumstances of
American agriculture render necessary works
expressly prepared to meet such conditions.
Who is able to prepare one or more such mau-
uals, in manner worthy of the subject and Of
this progressive era? He who could worthi-
ly accomplish it would be a great public ben
elactor. There are good farmers who know
little Of science, and men of science with less
knowledge of agriculture; but it is difficult
to find "A thoroughly scientific writer who is,
also, thoroughly acquainted with agricultural
practice, and is thus able to apply correctly
the principles Of abstract science to the pro-
cesses of agriculture. A clear thinker. and
lucid writer, who could thus unite truth with
action, and marry thought to labor, would be
worthy Of higher honors than the greatest
T Swans OF the timesn
SENATOR EpMuNps.-We see it stated that
the Secretary of War invited Senator Ed.