The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-20
MAINE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

ALFRED, Oct. 49,
The lecture Wednesday evening by Mr.. Var
ney of Vassalboro, on ''Our Homes and How to
Adorn Them" was an earnest and well pre-
sented plea for tasteful buildings, we'll arrang-
ed grounds and neatly kept premises generally.
He argued that a complete vegetable garden,
and flower garden such as would be con-
tinual charm and credit, can be carried on with
very little expense, indeed to the profit as well
as to pleasure of the farmer and his family. A
pleasant home does not a little towards profta-
BILE agriculture, and great deal toward that
pure, high-minded and Intelligent type of life
which the tiller of the soil with all other nc en-
should strive for and promote
A very pleasant interruption of the regular
programme occurred on Thursday afternoon.
This was the presentation by the students of
the State College of a handsome sword belt to
Major Hills, the military instructor in the COL
lege. A neat presentation speech was made
by Adjutant Elwell of the Coburn Cadets W
was a complete surprise to Prof. Hills, whose
ordinary dfidence wassnot little increased on
the occasion, but who fittingly expressed his
grateful and high appreciation OF this unlocked
for testimonial. Prof. Hills is a regular eradu-
ate of West Point He is in addition TO his
military functions, the Professor of Modern
Languages, and in his years connection with
the college has gained a high and we'll deserved
esteem for ability and worth.
Thursday evening crowded audience assem-
bled in the Congregational church to listen to
DR.. Aliens lecture on 1.-THE Education of Farm
ers and Mechanics" 1t was assumed that ed
ucation is essential to human welfare, and that
farmers and mechanics should be- not merely
workmen but men of intelligence. noble aspira-
ton, men able to plan, direct and efficiently
control in the work of life. Skilled work man
differ from educated laborers. The former have
ease OF performance, the latter add to this the
higher element of power of thought The want
of the state and of the land is educated labor
ers. The questions between labor and capital
cannot be settled unless educated men from the
producing classes can treat with capitalists.
Cooperation is possible only where there is ed
ucation among the laborers. Legislative restric-
tlons cannot ward off strikes or prevent combi'
Nations. The laws of political economy cannot
be changed, and the producing classes as well
as the capitalists should know something of
these laws. The common school, the high
school. the normal school are excellent, neces.
sary, indispensable, but they neither do nor give
all the education needed Classical colleges
are not specially adapted to the wants of farm
ers and mechanics, for the need in their case is
to combine practical with theoretical sciences.
The hand and the eye must be trained TO skill
the mental powers disciplined. The farmer, bs
the nature of.tht college curriculum, has hthert'
been shut out from a liberal education, and
false notions have prevailed as to the need and
value of a liberal education for the farmer and
mechanic. But the day of these false notions
is fast passing away, and there is call for ed.
ducated as we'll as for skilled laborers. The
clear requisiton for liberal culture for the
producing classes has been met by the estab-
ishment Of agricultural colleges.
The Name State College has double work.
to make educated mechanics, as well as farm
ers. The courses of study are such as to give
the disci plinary elements Of good liberal cul
ture and at the same time to impart such prac-
tical teaching as shall give good ground for
success TO the student on his entrance upon ac
tive pursuits. The results attained by the col
lege are satisfactory in high degree to all in
telligept judges, and opposition to the institu
ton has been largely overcome. The Sta te
College has no antagonism against the classical
colleges, but is co-worker, cordially cooperat-
| ing with them in the great work of giving 8
liberal education to all. Such an education
makes wealth, aud is economy for the state,
but more, it makes thoushtiul men, the great
need add the great tire 3sute OF the state.
The ADDRESS was, as was to be expected, a
| fine literary production, and in ability. elo-
quence and forciblenesS was of the highest
| character. The Board could do good service
| to the cause of sound education by printing il
entire for wide distribution,
The session of the Board has been a success
| full one and its visit has proved highly satisfac
| tory to the citizens of Alfred, and will unquas-
| tonaby advance the interests of agriculture il
| the county