The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-01-18
Education.

The following is an extract from
Master Colton's address at the State
Grange:
The question of educating young
men for the farm is attracting consld-
cradle attention in our state. In this
connection let me call to your mind
the instruction given at the time of
your installation at will be promi-
nent part of your duty both in and out
OF the grange. to encourage the educa-
ton OF the children within the limits
of your jurisdiction TO see that they
are not banished at the tender age of
childhood from the school of early in
struction to the labors Of the fields, be-
fore the mind has received that gentle
care and training which enlivens, ex-
plains and dienifies labor The mas
ter of every grange has assented to,and
approved Of the above charge. 1t is
made part of his duty to see that the
young farmers are properly educated
lOI llltll NulltN. ne NbutiG lIIllltT
should have such educational advanta-
ges rs will enable him 10 work old and
WORKOUT lands and get remunerative
crops from them. Unless this is done
he will leave the scenes of his child
hood, and seek fairer lands. He should
have sufficient knowledge of mineralo-
gy and geology to understand the COM
position of the soil he is to cultivate
He should have such knowledge of
chemistry as would enable him to as
certain what plant-food his soil re-
CURED to make it produce remnnora-
tive crops. He should have practical
knowledge, so that he could till his
lands when in proper condition. He
should also have that physical dcvel-
opment only acquired by labor upon
the farm. II Is well known that the
young men educated at our schools
and colleges do not settle down upon
our farms, but go into the professions
OF emigrate to other states clearly prov
ing that our colleges are educating our
boys for other pursuits than agricul-
ture. Are we to be taught that our
calling is too degrading for men of ed
ucation and culture to adopt? Is IL
our duty to let the professions recruit
their ranks from our sons? We can
not afford to allow this state of things
to always exist. 1t is our duty TO de.
wise some plan whereby our sons may
receive thorough practical education
which will fit them for all the stations
which they may be called to fill, and
at the same time create in them love
| for our noble calling. Such school
can be established and sustained in
| Yermont--a school where the sons oil
the poorest farmer may secure prac'
teal education and pay proper pro-
portion of the expense in labor; Q
school where the students could work
upon the farm and secure that physi.
cal culture how so often sought after
in the gymnasium, base ball and boat
ing clubs, encouraged by the institu.
tons of learning at the present time
The farmers of Vermont are abundant,
ly able to create and endow such 6
school, and the sooner we wake to its
necessity, the better it will be for u.
and our children. Is it our duty tc
stand idly by and see our children
leaving us? Shall we quietly submit
to have our lands cultivated by aliens
and their children gather around oui
fires and hearthstones God forbid
Let us study. out the proper remedy
and apply 1t before 1t is too late.
The board of agriculture. manufac
lures and mining, established by tho
state in 1870, needs the fostering car,
of the agricuIturist. The meetings o
the board in different parts of the stat,
have called together the farmers of the
state. The various topics relating t.
the life and duties upon the farm have
been ably discussed. IL is your duty
20 aid and assist S---.----------
deavors to elevate the condition Of lhe
farmer.