Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-11-29

oifecting the greatest improvements in farm
work, tho landholders are the best educat-
cd. In the old countries, notably England,
Scotland and Germany, where agriculture is
most progressive, the farmers are well-edu-
Gated class Having studied scientific ques-
tons in school, they know and appreciate the
value of practical science. BY their school
studies they are prepared to understand,
judge and apply the new discoveries Of scien-
tifc men TO their daily work. They can see
what science is dong for manufactures and
commerce, and they demand for agriculture
the same advantages. The result is rapid
movement forward, seen in the form Of larger
crops, bigger profits and strong faith in the
value of knowledge applied to farming
But it is not only the scientific knowledge
that the young European farmer gets in
school that benefits him. II is the general
information that he acquires, the broader
views of the relations of the different classes
Of society to each other, and courage, born
of conscious intellectual strength and equality
with his fellow citizens 10 other walks Of
life, that enables him to perceive, claim and
take the position in the world that rightfully
belongs to him. The farmers Of those coun-
ties, although they are not numerically as
strong. in proportion, as the farmers Of
America, have vastly more power in direct
ing affairs, and are far less subject to being
preyed upon by spectators and capitalists
They " know their rights and knowing dare
maintain them All! what power there is
in that one thing-KNowGNG.
We are not going to draw out the thread
Of this subject very fine. LIS moral is a plair
one, and ought not to he obscured by cloud
of words The facts we dave stated ought tt
have weight with TIE greater part of oul
readers, because it is only the thinking farm
ers as a rule, that subscribe for and aid il
the establishment Of q new organ of agricul
tural progress like the VERMONT FARMER
We must give our children better educa
ton. We must take an active part in re
modelling our schools and bringing them VI
with the times. We must not grudge tn,
necessary taxes to do it. We were willin;
to pay to the last dollar to preserve the unit,
! of the Republic; let us not forget that tn
worst and most insduous foe Of free govern
ment is the lack of knowledge among tn
people. The lard in this country, unlik
these European nations where progressiv
agriculture las begun, is in the hands Of tn
t people, aud popular education and agricu
5 tural progress must 60 together with us.
t The power of knowledge is well undorstoo
$ even by arbitrary governments, and althoug
: it is dangerous experiment their lust {
t power is so strong that they are educatin
f their people. The proud position of tn
!. Empire OF Germany, to-day, is based upo
= the educational system that was inaugurate
: there a century ago. Not only has it give
. power, it has developed wealth and Prussii
! reduced almost to national pauperism an
k starvation by the conquering armies Of Nj
poleon hardly more than half a century ago,
S to-day, as the result of her wise educationi
s system, the master Of France, depriving th'
c proud nation of territory, and holding
|, as a tributary. Let us think of these fact