The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-26
The Science OF Farming.


this difference is reflected in the aims OF
agricultural science, American research
and invention having been directed
TO the applications OF steam, while
the attention of European husbandry is
mainly concentrated on the management
and ameloration of the soil. Our New
England aud Middle States, however can
not afford TO neglect either problem, and
may study with advantage the systematic
efforts now making in other countries to
improve aud inculcate the methods of sci
entltic tillage. The scheme OF agricultural
education adopted 10y the French Legisla-
ture at its last session is especially worthy
of notice, and may be usefully compared
with the work already accomplished in
Prussia.
1t Is surprising that in country like
France. where the traditions OF paternal
government seem able TO resist every
change of regime, the State should have
been chary of interference with that
branch OF industry which employs
nearly two-thirds Of its population aud an
estimated capital OF twenty billions Of
dollars. A few years ago the chemist
LIEBIG, speaking OF the sources Of ma
tional wealth, declared that agriculture In
Europe was then no further advanced
than manufactures had been half "A Gen.
fury before, and the remark was literally
true as applied to the processes still in
vogue among French cultivators. The
earliest farm school founded in France
dates back only to 1918, and was n private
enterprise. 1t was not, indeed, until the
latter Won re ~ 7 ot-rs purr tpppe raign that
the Government began to aid these estab-
lishments; but with the rev. lution OF 1s4s,
the importance Of agricultural education
was distinctly recognized. The compre-
hensive aud intelligent system then iusti-
tuted, like other meritorious reforms. fell
iuto decay under the Second Empire, but
has now been substantially reconstructed
by the law enacted on the 3lst OF last
July. The details of this scheme de-
serve careful attention.
At the basis OF the system we ind the
farm school, which is in an exact sense u
primary institution. Its pupils, recruited
among the sons OF peasants, are trans
formed into skilled worknen, conver-ant
with the most effective methods aud COM
petent to direct intelligently the ordinary
business Of farm. 1t Is clear that IN such
an establishment practice is all-lnportant,
and the time given TO theory must be
limited. The instruction, therefore, is
rudimentary, and is impaired " in
school room. but in the vineyard,
in the farm yard, in the field, or be-
hind the plough Since tho school is q
farm, the farm must be made to pay, aud
thus act upon tue local intelligence both
rs an educator and rs an example. The
good sense Of the conception il obvious,
and this feature of the scheme of lSis con-
trved to survive the neglect of the second
Empire, and has borne substantial fruit.
or these farm schools there are now Ia
France thirty-thTee to which scholars. or
apprentices, are admitted gratis, besides
Gel tain number of establishments known rs
ecoles prdtiques, which differ manly
through the exaction OF n moderate fee.
The academies OF high schools of agri
culture are represented by n second cate
CORY Of institutions called tcOloS T6gtOndles.
These are intended To train, not small Gull
tivators and laborcrs, but the chiefs OF az
ricultural industry, and accordingly sub
stltute for the elementary apprenticeship
Of the farm school n superior grade OF in
struction, combining theory and practice
in very different proportions In the one
case the business Of tuition was confided
to two or three experts in Their several
vacations. for instance, % nutseryman. a
vine dresser, sometimes IA veterinary sur
gcon while in the iCOlcS r6giondleS we flud
veritable professors, six in number besides
an assistant to each chair. Here, too, the
pupils follow the labors OF the farm and
toa certain extent take part IN them, not
NJ workmcn, however, but as foremen,
each IN turn being intrusted with the con-
troll of particular branch, as the dairy, or
the proce.s Of fertilization. OF these
academies there are nj present three, at
Grignon Grand-Jouan, nud Montpelier,
devoted respectively to the agricultural
interests of the north, west, and south of
France.
We come now to that element Of the
new system which contemplatcs the pro-
gressive development OF agricultural
science, the so-called AgronoinIc Institute.
According TO the Ministerial project, the
corps Of professors Will number fourteen,
without counting sub-masteIs, tutors. aud
other assistants. The pupils are required
TO pay fee of sixty dollars, but a certain
number Of scholarships is thrown open 10
competition. The course of study is 10
cover two years, and, besides rural engin-
erring and comparative agriculture in its
various applications, will embrace mechan-
is, physics, chemistry, botany, mineral
oGy, and zo0loey. In word, the students
OF agriculture have nj length secured hon
ornlle lecogntlon and an institution OF
the same Crude rs the Normal School aud
the Polytechnic.
This comprehensive and wcll-adjustcd
system OF agricultural education is the
work OF republican Government, and an
integral part OF the sweeping RECONSTRUCT
ton enforced by the recent war. 1t is in
teresting. therefore, to compare the pres
ent status OF France in Tins respect with
that OF her late antagonist. During the
past century Prussia, in spite of the most
unfavorable conditions OF climate and soil,
has made remarkable advances in agricul-
ture and marYellously increased her pro-
ducliye power. 1t is calculated that FRED