Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-19

ton was closed to meet at eight O'Clock P. M,
as public meeting.
The storm prevented many who desired
to be present from attending, yet the hall
was we'll filed during the afternoon aud the
convention was decidedly success.
An audience Of less than hundred as
sembled at Village Hall in the evening to
hear speaking Of which but limited notice
had been given. The travelling was bad, and
probably there we're not q dozen farmers
present. Services at two or more Of the
principal houses Of worship, also doubtless
contributed to diminish the attednauce. The
exercises, however, we're Of an interesting
nature, continuing over two hours, and should
have been heard by crowded audience,
d. L. Boydeu, Esq, deputy Of the Vermont
and New Hampshire state oranges, presided.
Regretting the small attendance, and ex-
planning its cause as in part due to his not
receiving word that speakers would attend,
10 season to give a timely announcement
thereof, he introduced as the FIRST speaker,
DR.. I. H. Hoskins, Of Newport. His sub
ject was agricultural Education" as fol-
lows:
lie alluded to great men in early times
having been farmers. Washington was one
who lived and died so. Ii was not originally
expected that educated men would be far
mers. do not know, said the speaker, a
sadder piece OF reading than the last report
OF our state board oil education. II IS con-
tinuous wall over the condition OF our
schools, representing that parents neglect
them. and the children do not get an educa-
ton worth having any way. This may be
somewhat exaggerated, but not much. IL
has also been stated that not one man in five
In the state of Vermont can write n decent
letter--one that is spelled correct and gram
matjcally worded. Most of our public men
are not masters of their own language. All
this arises from fundamental error in the
construction of our schools. They under
take to teach too much, aud what they teach
is taught in the wrong way. Children are
not taught practically, but otell what Is in the
book The speaker knew young lady who
could do nothing but play the piano
we'll. She thought that if she could learn to
do one thing well, that WAS onough to learn,
and said IL do not want to add my natural
imperfections TO it.n Only one compositor
could read Horace Greeley's writing, and he
did II well. We want good readers, writers,
spoilers aud those who have mastered the
first four rules of arithmetic, Without first
attaining these the higher branches cannot
be acquired. Our professional men, to n
large extent are deficient In q good common
school education. DIR Hoskins also con-
,lemned tho multiplicity of text books. They
do not turn out SO good scholars ms the old
hedge sohoolmaster who had but one.
These are some of the reasons why people
do not take more interest in our schools.
The system is wrong. We are trying to
teach too much. aud nothing thoroughly.
Text books are filled with multiplicity of
details, such rs African capes, South Ameri-
can CULTS, in the Biographies, while they
neglect our own state and country. II tho
geography of Vermont Is thoroughly taught
children, it Is all they need, involving the
same principles rs those OF the earth. Tho
scientific and Latin names In botany are
taught. and not plants. The plant should DO
taken to the scholar, and the scholar TO the
plant. The practical part Of geology should
also be first taught. Finally, farmers have
"A right to insist that these branches should
he taught which will interest their boys in
farm work They should be learned the
nature and treatment of domestic animals,
the fundamental principles of health-physi-
ology. practically, but not MS LAID down in
the school books. Girls, also, should learn
howto cook food properly; MOTTO throw out
dirty water where il will breed typhoid
fevers; not to mix grease and flour for food
Edmund Il. Andrews of Berlin next read
a brief essay on "The Interests Of the
Grange" which he supplemented with some
extemporaneous remarks. He said;
The social intellectual and financial work.
ings of the grange had proved to be of ines
Unable value. They have inspired conf
dence among the working classes, whose
duty il was to combine and he the real ruler.
of the land, instead of hewers of wood and
= F,r Nhs, ali In
large cities and towns. The oranges in the
United States already number $4,000 with
membership of 2,00o,0OO. The laborel
has already become elevated by them
where. not long ago, no was looked upon rs
insignificant. He spoke Of noble men among
our Vermont farmers equal to the best II
the country. What our farmers and work
ing-men most need is reform In the taxing
| laws. The great bulk Of the taxes are to
,ay naid by the very mon who earn thei
livings by the sweat OF the brow. This poin
the speaker illustrated by alludinR to tn,
| manner in which farms are now purchased
held and taxed. He concluded by speaking
OF tho dignity of farming. and the necessit,
of farmers making their children appreciate
| it. stny at home and cultivate the soil, in
stead of running away to the cities with tn,
idea that they are suddenly to become rich
lSuce the above condensed report Of Mr. Andrews
address put in type, have received the addres
in full, which We may print at another tme.l
The president again regretted that Their
was not larger attendance, inasmuch a
there was present an able agricultural speaker
a gentleman 20 years of age, Of large ex
perience, who had come unexpectedly to.da.
from his residence at Canterbury. N. H., /
be present, agreeably to invitation to whic
his letter Of acceptance had been mislaid
This would account for his name not havin
been advertised as one Of tho speakers. II
had the pleasure of introducing Col Davi
NJ. Clough, treasurer Of the New Hampshir
state grange, who gave one Of his interest
ing off.hand addresses, although sufferin
with cold, which was well received II
said - ..... ........
lie was happy to meet his brother and 81,
ter farmers here tonight, but discaime
being anything OF n speaker. limo admoT
ished him to be brief lie was not about I
speak of raising corn, potatoes, oats, etc, br
to give words of encouragement, and bid h
farming friends stick to sheir God-apponte
vocation. FROM what class did the Almight
Ruler select his first servantsp Was Il froI
lawyers, doctors and priests of oldP NJ
lie took men from the pillow and fishing net
Hundreds of great men, like Washington
started as farmers boys. To the man WIN
: says"frming won't pay" he would rcpl
, You are charging the Almighty with ingra
titude when you talk it. Ii takes the pi
thence all out Of mo when hear men thl
belittling tho larmer, Why you would hay
nothing to cat to-day If II were not for then
! II farming IS not AN cnnobhng business,
should like to know what isp IL is FOOLS
for farmers and their boys to leave the
homes and go out into large towns and vi
lagos to do better. When II man says tn
farming does not pay, there's II screw Loo
= somewhere. That man holds his bed dow
too long in the morning; he does not W
his shoes with the mOrning dew; the fir
; place patch is found on his pants is ON q
: seat. / am rs sanguine of what am tai
ing, rs OF my being, and If was about
/, try life over again, would select agrisu
ture for pursuit. You cannot fsten Il
Q word "R-u-i-nn on the farmers They ~
a independent of hard times, Rag money ca
J not deprive them ofR chance TO live. Tn
will come out all right. The old agricu
: tural ship is snfel Come aboard, con
. aboard young mani The Almighty is SIN
4 ing on every effort we make, for we NM
| n - hup,.nifv When fha farmer comes