Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-03-12
why Farmsrs Should Study.
From the Western Rural.

CioM t1c WCotcIn NuEUl.
The pupil, after finishing his course
at the district school, or the academy.
is ready to enter directly upon the
everyday practical duties Of life. BY
learning some useful art, unless, in
deed, he may be SO fortunate as to
be able to pursue the study Of science
in our high schools and colleges. If
SO, he should give his attention to
such studies as will be of advantage
to him III after life. Even if his
pecuniary means will allow him to
make study a life work, he is but as a
drone in the hive unless he make this
study the means to some legitimate
end, by which he may benefit his
fellows.
Thus the physician studys physio-
logy and anatomy, and the proper
use of drugs and medicines. The
lawyer reads works specially pertain
ing to the law. The merchant de-
votes himself to commerce, the laws
of trade, manufactures, and the tech
nology pertaining to buying, selling,
loss and gain, etc. In mechanics,
those sciences relating to the arts in
tended to. be followed, should be
made particular study, for in any
profession in life the more real prac-
teal knowledge attained in youth,
the better will one be able to cope
with the problem of successfully ac-
curing wealth in his chosen profess
sion.
OF the classes to whom general
knowledge of many things is nee
essary, none approach nearer to each
other than the lawyer and the farmer;
with this difference, the lawyer in
working up Il case is often obliged to
possess himself of information that
he may never have occasion to use
again, except indirectly; while the
farmer never learns any scientific
fact bearing upon his profession, but
he will find it does enter into some
thing else, in fact. lead him to some
thing else which is also of import
ance.
Thus the real field of the farmer
includes all science, and therefore Ire
cannot pursue any science with the
greatest practical benefit to himself
onl y SO far as it bears upon the SUBJ
ject at issue. While this is true in
any profession, it is especially SO i'll
Agriculture. So the Agricultural
student who pursues the study of
chemistry in its various bearings, may
at last find himself finished chem
list, but very poor farmer. And
yet, chemistry has been truly called
the "Corner Stone Of Agriculture"
1t might more truly be called the bed
rock upon which the whole super
structure of Agriculture rests.
The farmer, by long life OF pa
tent observation and comparison,
may become well versed in soils, their
natures, capabilities, and adaptability
to the production of certain crops,
the value Of different manures, and
how made. He also learns that GER
tain plants grow in particular soils,
and that, by altering the mechanical
condition of those soils, by drainage
and improved culture, certain more
valuable plants may be made to grow.
If he understands something Of the
geology and chemistry of soils, and
mas acquired certain knowledge re-
specting their mechanical structure
and combination, he might have ar
rived at correct conclusions, and
more OF them, many years sooner
than 10y the laborious process OF dig
ging them out by casual observation.
lie would have been sooner led to
ask himself that foundation question
OF all isnowledge,-Why? And have
been able to answer it III many cases
most easily.
When the education of the agricul-
turalist is pursued from the philos-
ophic standpoint, of teaching the
youth that which he is to practice in
age, the student will be pressed
in those sciences relating to
Agriculture, and, therein, mainly SO
far as they relate to his profession.
While the teacher whose life study
it has been to master a science and
practically apply it, will be competent
as an instructor. When this is done
we shall be on the high road to sue
cess, not only in simplifying the
education of the farmers,
b also Of other professions in fe
to which science is the key. We
shall then cease to see so many edu
Gated egotists,-walking encyclopc-
lias, to whom have been left literary
legacies of mere words.
The farmer having finished his
school education, limited though it
may have been, should at least be-
come reader OF such works rs bear
upon his profession, and here
he will find 20 more fertile field than
well conducted agricultural journals,
since they should be an epltome OF
practical knowledge. These, sup
with books treating upon
The practical application Of science,
will soon render him a cultured man,
who directs his thoughts at once to
The point to be reached.
1t is true that to do this he must
forego visits to the village saloon;
must break up those habits Of listless-
ness, inseparable from want Of cul-
ture; must school himself to love
Of reading, and to reflect thereon
Then with the requirement OF new
IDEAS, will come a thirst for more
Not only this, but the requirement
Of one idea makes room for others,
and, besides, and better than all, the
children will become interested in
matter and another and pow
ertul tie will bind them to home SO
strongly that ere frivolous amuse-
ment cannot break it.
In the visiting circles a new link
will bind each to the other. Intelli-
II