The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-11-23
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Botany as an aid 10 IN orticuIture.

To the man or woman who is engaged in a
struggle for life, the study of any of the natu-
raj sciences is usually considered worse than
useless; and, if the individual have no higher
aspirations than simply to labor that he or
she may eat or drink, the proposition will
probably hold good. Yet, if it were possible
TO teach the elements of some Of the sciences
in our common schools, there is no doubt
that the effect on the rising generation would
undoubtedly be seen in largely-increased
fertility in resources in the ordinary cares of
life.
One OF the great troubles in the study of
sciences is, that it seems impossible to get our
educators out of the old rut that there is but
one road TO learning-through Rome. They
esteem the study of Latin and even Greek
indispensable before those sciences wherein
classical names are used to designate species,
orders, families or things, can be pursued.
While this may be right in the case of the
student who pursues the study of science to
its end, it is fallacious So far as the student is
concerned who studies science as an aid to
his particular calling, when that calling is not
one requiring deep scientific research.
For instance, the farmer and hoIticulturist
should understand something OF entomology
and botany. Every one does in fact acquire
more or less knowledge in this direction, for,
if we learn to distinguish fruit, flower,
tree, variety OF grain or grass, and correctly
name it, We know something of botany; and
so, il we are able to distinguish and correctly
name an insect, we know something of ento-
mology. Still, we should be able to do more
than this. We should understand the history
and habits of pants and insects beneficial
and noxious; and all this may be easily ac-
quited by the average boy and girl without
interfering seriously with the ordinary stud
les of our country district schools. The
trouble is that the average teachers know
nothing of these things themselves. Why
not? sinc3 the generic names necessary to a
common comprehension may be acquired
while pursuing the study, just as a child
learns to read or SPELL
There is no doubt that the study of botany
would give the farmer, and especially the hor-
ticulturist, more pleasure than any other
study that could be pursued. 1t would give
an intimate acquaintance with those things
that are daily dealt with. 1t would make him
acquainted with the various characteristics of
every shrub, tree, grain, grass, vegetable,
fruit, flower or plant that meets our eye, and,
through these, the character of the soil they
occupy.
This acquaintance will enable us, not only
TO appreciate the beauties of the flower on ev-
cry hand, but also give zest to life in variety
of ways. We shall be more likely to make
our homes pleasant through the cultivation
Of flowers and curious plants-to Id to the
comforts of hone by the cultivation of fruits.
1t will cause us to plant trees for shade, and
for shelter of our animals. 1t will increase a
taste for further study, and this, again, will
necesSitate the purchase of books that will
tend to broaden the mind in various direc-
items. At all events, if it serve but the one
purpose of making home more attractive, and
thus lessening the increasing tendency of our
youth to waste time in village saloons, or
even more questionable places Of amusement,
it would pay the cost a hundred-fold. II is a
question that interests parents especially. ALI
that is needed is a persistent effort in the
school districts. The time IS ripe. 1t need
not cost the dismissal of our present teachers
- if they have the sense to second the move
ment by increased study themselves, for
'where there's will there's way."-W.
Rural.