Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-12-12

The following communication was re-
ceived a day too late for last weeks paper,
for which it was no doubt intended
MIR. EDEroR:-We have read in your
paper lately several articles on "Eluca-
tom Many valuable hints are thus given
to farmers; but it seems to plain person
that some terms used rather freely might
have been omitted. 1t is difficult to under
stand how an "insult" (for instance) can
be given where none is intended. 1t is Just
as hard TO comprehend how calling an
other III names can enlighten him in re-
gard to q question in statistics. To deter
mine the exact proportion of ignorant
farmers in the state we should need rather
IL wide and exact survey of both farmers,
teachers, schools and school houses. 1t is
not self-evident, and as it pinches our
pride and wounds our love of country, we
decline to believe that "three- fourths -
are so deficient. But generaliies are be-
You'd our depth. As Pope says, "What
can we reason, but from what we know?'
Some scattered facts that lie close around
us we beg leave to notice:
We think we perceive some positive
progress in our common schools in this
vicinity. Better teachers are secured, and
the tendency is to keep those who show Il
tact for teaching and for keeping order
The boys educated there do usually 90 on
higher-to academies, normal schools OF
colleges; the girls are often to be seen III
the normal school. If they fail to secure
business rs teachers afterward, they are
not untitled for household affairs, or to take
an honest pride in managing in then
mothers kitchens.
| notice some of our young men who
have done good service on the farm through
the summer are now preparing for q term
of hard study during the winter To be
frank, we feel rather proud of the young
people who 60 out Of our common schools
Without any doubt we are as proud us pea
cocks of our new school house. 1t is sale
to be the best in the county; ceiled anC
painted, with elegant single seats and tigh
floor, wide windows and perfect Uentilation
it is II house to be proud of, and the pupils
appreciate it. They are as eager to learn
us their teacher is to help them; and mucI
more might be added on the subject, bul
we forbear.
We hope there are great many sucE
towns and school houses in Vermont
where farmers can build nice barns insteaC
of costly houses; where Jersey COWS are
held in honor, well fed. well treated, wei
sheltered; and, grateful for good treat.
mcnt, yielding cream instead of skim milk
Half Il dozen new barns in our school dis.
tlict is not a bad sign, though we have nc
lawyers nor any professional men. We
expect that the millennium is not far off!
We hear that Teachers Institute i,
coming off here in Decembar. A Pomfre
boy us Superintendent of instruction ,
will then show us that common schools
IRE not Il bad base to start from to build III
mobile manhood. Thanksgiving bring,
home many Of these lads from thoi,
schools, and bountiful repast is sure tc
await them. If they are not duly grateful
for their early training on farms, and thei
after training in school and college, they
deserve no roast turkey, and should be fec
on water-gruel and French novels till the,
learn common sense. V.
N. Pomfret, Vt, Nov. 30, II.