Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-11-19
noNET VALUE OF KNOwLEDGE.

Il is important that the people generally
learn the money value of useful knowledge.
This just appreciation precedes that indis-
penssble application of thought and effort
in this direction, which is sure to command
success. A few years ago horse doctoring,
was a rude art practiced generally by very
ignorant farriers. Doubtless this is still the
case in many places; but there are excep-
tions, some Of which deserve notice. DR..
Smith, veterinary surgeon in the Agri-
cultural University of Illinois, has had 2 900
horses afflicted by the epizootic plague, now
prevalent in this city and over the country,
and lost but two or three, whose constitu-
tons were probably worn out. If the pro-
fessionsl knowledge of DR.. s. has done
nothing more than keep ignorance from
OVERRIDING and killing score or two of
these diseased horses, by misapplied kind
ness, bis study and attachments have a
money value.
An instructive book might be written
giving in detail the manifold injuries and
losses sustained in our best educated COM
munities, by active, well-meaning igno-
rance. Unwise and unjust laws, which
govern aud misgoveTn in cities, States and
nations, reflect the average intelligence and
virtue of the people governed. Labor is
cheated out of half OF its honest dues, in
one form and another, by reason Of popu-
lar mental Obtuseness. 1t produces less
than half as much Of any agricultural or
manufactured staple as it would if properly
enlightened and educated. Farmers clubs,
mechanics and manufacturers organized for
mutual instruction, aided largely by
the press, are doing much to increase and
diffuse useful knowledge. These industrial
organizations should be multiplied ten fold;
and have their libraries of well selected
books, and regular public lectures adapted
to the business and minds of all seeking
for the light of science, and the best prac-
tice of art.
There is but one real check to the in
creased diffusion of intelligence which has
an inestImable money value, aud that is a
general want of just appreciation. Baron
Liebig's extract Of meat, which makes
excellent soup, is hereafter 10 besuppliedto
the poor classes of Paris at merely nomi-
nal cost, from regular fountains. Here is
the germ of a noble institution, of univers-
al utility, and application.
The Garden of Plants, in Paris, Is heat
ed, thst is the sol, by water from an arte-
sian well 1 800 feet deep, which has a tenn
perature of 81 degrees, and is distributed
in pipes foot or two under ground. In
this case the vast reservoir Of heat deep in
the earth's bosom, is tapped and produces
tropical plants. No person wants living
room heated quite up to y degrees; there
fore city might be warmed without coal
or fuel of any kind, by central heat.
Then there is no danger that warm or
hot water viii set fire to stores or dwellings,
and possibly burn city. A vegetable gar
den at ErfUrt, in Saxony, is warmed by
this terrestrial heat IN the same way as
that of the Garden Of Plants. The annual
profits from the Erfurt garden are said to
be sixty thousand dollars.
A few days ago a whaling ship left New
Bedford with a steam engine of five horse |
power to be used for cutting in whales, dis
charging cargo, hosting sails, and other
work. The steam horse not only propels
mighty ships, but now for the first time in
mans history, acts the part OF nimble sail
or boy, with no danger of falling from the
masthead.
A page could easily be filed with facts
which demonstrate the money-Value of
in all industries.