The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-11-18

1iic SCHOOL OF laO0f. III educational
development, the principle aim of
the intelligent instructor is first to
train the budding faculties of his
pupils into right habits of thinking
and eNertion. When this aim is
reached, when l.abits OF patient
search and ui.tiring activity are Sc
cured, the task OF imparting facts
and principles in science and philos-
ophy is comparatively easy. Tie
requirement Of these habits renders
the pupil selt-sustailing, and his
progress in learning is raipd and
substantial.
AS this principle Of forming cor
rect habits is necessary III ed,lcation-
al development, SO is it in the same
ratio necessary to be cultivated III
the successful development of the
resources of Il country. The habits
and customs of the first settlers are
the most potent III their influence.
They set up landmarks which guide
the footsteps of generations which
follow. \ precedent or habit, once
established, is difficult to surnoult,
or change. 1t becomes a standard
Of consistency and propriety to
which all else must conform. TO
question its supremacy is a serious
misdemeanor, and to refuse to be
governed by its aEcient custom, is
looked upon by its votaries as sac
rilege, and the individual becomes
a criminal, almost, at once.
This being the sacrediess i'll which
ancient customs and habits are held,
the importance of setting up good
landmarks in a community or State
for present aid future genera
tions to be governed by, is apparent
to every sensible individual. In the
State of Oregon, for instance, among
those who are engaged III agricultu-
raj purstlits-the raising of grain,
stock and frtlit-how important it
is for the welfare ofthe State. them
selves, and their children who are
to succeed them, that, first, habits
of industry, patience and frugality
be adopted; second, that careful
study of the climate and soil be fol-
lowed by the introduction of those
grains and fruits, and those species
of stock, which are best adapted to
them, and which will yield the
most handsome returns third, tl.at
the best and most improved labor
saving implements OF husbandry be
introduced, as increasing means
will permit fourth, that the farm
itself be made a pattern Of neatness
and comfort aud beauty.
Unfortunately for the interests of
Oregon, there are many engaged in
farming pursuits, owning large
quantities of land in her richest
valleys, who are influenced by no
higher motive or ambition, than
that of simply making a living i'll
the easiest manner possible, hoping,
in the process of time, to realize
wealth from the increased value of
their lands. They plant and reap
in the most primitive fashion, and
then congregate in the town, to pass
away their leisure days, their farms,
in the mean time, being left to take
care OF themselves. No attempt is
made, as year after year passes by, to
render tLeir farms more productive,
by becoming more intelligent. and
scientific In their methods of cultiva-
ton; nothing is attempted in the
way rendering the home lite on
the farm more attractive and agree
able, by increasing the comforts
aud ornaments of the farm-dwelling
and it's surroundings, "a careless, ull-
progressive, shifLless, lazy air per-
yaJes the whole, whose influence is
detrimental to growth and ciyiliza-
ton. Large quantities of land are
often held by such men, who, either
refuse entirely to dispose Of them,
or hold them at such exllerbitant