The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-11-06
Farm and Home.
ANp USEFUL IMPORTATION.
A Voice From Tennessee.

A Voice From Tennessee.
T3r - E
Dirigo Rural: The Rural pre-
SCENTS no feature with which we are
better pleased. than its advocacy of
a higher standard of intelligence
for the farm. And this recognition
of one of the great wants of our
class-a more general and practical
acquaintance with the principles OF
agriculture as science-giyes it
especial value to the Southern far
mer for an exhaustive and reckless
system has too long characterized
our section, impoverishing our
lands, our farmers and bringing our
time honored and important occu
patton into discredit.
Since the organization OF the Pa
irons of Hushandry, more thought
has been given>to the condition and
interest of agriculture than hereto
fore. and careful inquiry according
to grange methods, is rapidly dis
covering the causes which have
produced the general depression in
our great industry, and one of the
most obvious is that to which we
have just referred the want of a
more general and practical knowl
edge of the principles of agri-
culture.
The practical operation of the
excellent plans of the Order for
promoting the growth in useful
knowledge of those engaged in the
active duties of life, has developed
the Importance OF laying the foun
dation for an agricultural education
in the common schools of the coun-
try-a necessity, indeed, that is as
urgent as it is true that our success
as farmers is in proportion TO the
intelliger ce that directs our labors.
1t was this conviction which led
the National Grange, at its last ses-
sion, to adopt resolution recon-
menLing the Patrons in the several
States. to secure by legislation the
introduction OF the study of the
elementary principles of agrlcul-
ture into the common schools, and
make it part of the education of
those who attend them. The
grange hope of success. in its COM
prehensive sense, is founded upon
the practicability of it's plans
plans for promoting the growth of
the farmer in practical knowledge
and his indifference to anything
like literary effort has proved a se-
rious obstacle. and the entire alb
sence of thought and investigation,
illustrates the Importance of plant
ing in the young mind, at least, an
elementary knowledge of the prin
ciples which underlie the pursuit of
lie time, and thus furnishing food
for thought in connection with the
practical duties of life. Indeed,
the demand of The age Is for skill,
science and wise ecoEomy,in con-
Quoting the operations of the farm,
and a method of instruction that
will reach the MASSES OF the people.
The college. for OBVIOUS reasons, is
beyond their reach; to the public
schools we must look for a solution
OF the difficulty. They do not pre-
sent collegiate advantages, it is
true, but they may 60 far towards
meeting the demand for better
and more practical education
for the farm, and the knowl-
edge acquired in them will give
them a jLster comprehension of the
value of improves methods. and
will tend to inspire more general
interest in the agricultural litera
ture of the country, which will give
an impetus to the growth of our
colleges, which are languishing he
cause agricultural education is at
so low an ebb among farmers.
l feel deep interest in this sub
iect, because / think the National
Grange recommends the only meth
cd by which the masses may be in
structed in the principles of agri
cultural science, and by which the
foundation may be laid for that i'm
proved and intelligent agriculture,
which not only is within the posi-
bilities of our people, but which the
best interest OF every class, and the
ends of good government so imper-
atively demand.
The question of the practical ed
ucation of the young, has received
from the grange a new impetus in
this practical education, as applied
TO the farm, and it is astonishing
how rapidly this idea has extended
itself in our country in the last few
years, though "the study of the ele
mentary principles of agriculture"
has been introduced into the pub
lie schools of those nations of Eu
rope which are most advanced in
their methods of teaching.
The general assembly of the
State of Tennessee at it's last ses-
sion passed an act equipping the
public schools for this work and
authorized the Superintendent Of
Public instruction, and the Com
missioner OF Agriculture tn procure
the necessary text book and the
practicability of laying the founda
ton for an agricultural education
in the public schools will be tested.
Now, if the Dirigo Rural and 9th
leading agricultural and grange
journals will give this subject the
attention it merits, in connection
with other means of promoting
better education for the farm, its
success will be no longer profile
NAUTICAL. The idea is new to US,
and experience may be needed to
perfect the system, but the impor
lance of an industry, that is the
basis of all wealth and OF all sub
stanCial prosperity, demands the
active use OF our hands and our
minds to secure its prosperity.
cannot close without bidding
the Rural ''god speed" in promot-
ing that intelligence among farm
ers, that will give wise direction
to these farm labors, and a more
e1liphtened discharge of their du-