Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-01-25
The Agricultural Convention at
Washington.


Watts has issued a call for convention
of delegates representing the different
agricultural and horticultural societies,
boards of agriculture, agricultural
Ocolleges and similar associations.
They are to assemble at the rooms
o of the Department of Agriculture,
in Washington, on Thursday the
j.. 18th of February next, for the pur-
pose Of cnnferring upon general topics
pertaining to farming, in all its branches,
and of taking such action as shall be
GeeG2ed best calculated to promote agri-
cultural education, secure more practi-
cal methods, and a more intimate CO.
Soperatiops between the department and
all associations and institutions, designed
to advance the agricultural interests of
the country.
Tie subjects of consideration should
make this convention one of the most
y important that has ever assembled in the
United States. If the convention shall
be so composed as to truly represent the
agricultural interests of the country,
and give utterance to the opinions that
jee rapidly developing among the agri-
culturalist, it will be of grave impor-
Whce. 1t will inaugurate a new declara-
ton that will tend to work a revolution
of great consequence. A revolution
brought about by the quiet and deter
mined cooperation Of men engaged in
calling which gives employment to one
half of the population, and lies at the
base of all civilization and progress.
y, They will constitute a power not to be
- despised by legislators and statesmen,
class which in future may largely re-
Ocruit its numbers from among the agri-
culturalists.
Among the leading subjects of con-
sideration in the convention, and one
Thich is springing up in the popular
MING is reformation in our present
s. system of education, making it more
9Gractical and affording special instruc-
ton for special callings. The present
methods turn9educated men away from
the farm. The farmers desire schools
for their Boys and girls for in
struction inc the SCIENCE of agri-
agriculture and domestic life. The agri-
cultural press of the c8&ntry is strongly
Erging Mis- tGle# and it is being adopted
0arlb carried Gus i'm the western colleges.
Text Books have Seen prepared for the
OpurpOse, &3d the~results under this sys-
tenn are declared "a narvel of studious
industry" The course is divided into
, GhtS6 pests, rudime2ts, elements and
principles, aud practise accompanies
every stef. tots reported chat Prof.
Greg8ay, of the I3linols Industrial Insti-
tute says,-of Ghi@ new method, "Give
OnSa class of boys of twelve or four
teen years of age, and of ordinary abili-
> tx aad cultivation, but knowing nothing
OF numbers, e9cept to couft and l will
ag@e to teach them in sig months all
the arithmetic they need to know in
D business life, and as much as they now
usually learn in the six or ten years of
its study in the present schools Com
missio@r Watts advocates this idea in
Niis last annual report. He utters a pop
gar sentiment Whcn he says, / CIdlHl
thaOthe agriculturalists Of the country
shall have place where their youth
may be imbued with the light of science,
end tl2s be fitted for agricultural life.
WhateyerJmay be the difference of
opinion, it is certain these ideas are tax
Ng s0strong hold and are questions that
viii soon assume their importance. They
will be brought before the Washington
convention of the 18th, and an agree
- ment may take place upon the course OF
action to be pursued, to foster their
growth and PRONUNCIATION. This is an
important QUESTION deserving the atten-
ton of agricultural societies and leading
agriculturalists.