Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-10-22

of others or not. shall refer more espe-
cially to our agricultural colleges, for they
are the true representatives of industrial ed
ucation. Such schools, like everything else in
the line of improvement, were the results OF
necessity, and were intended to meet and
cope with that Necessity. Men who under
stand and read Alright the signs of the times
saw need for more intelligent direction
of the labors of this greatest of the produc-
ing classes. There seemed to be great
lack of practical knowledge; and even
among men of liberal education who CHANGED
to enter the vocation, there were few who
had enough of the practical about them to
make it success, or gather such new facts
as would be of value to others. To better
the condition of the farming community,
both intellectually and socially, was the I'M
doubted intention of these institutions when
established, but the results thus far in this
direction are far below what ought reason
ably to he expected. Now let us for mo-
ment look at some Of tire causes which have
produced these results, and consider what
the remedy, if any, ought to be. Viewed
from my own standpoint, with no particular
interests at stake, and wishing to make
statements such as only the facts will sup
port, believe it to be not wholly one, but
several reasons, all hiudering, although not
in equal degree, the success of the system
In the first place, there has been, since the
first start of this kind of instruction, fierce
and bitter opposition from all professional
and literary quarters. Not simply a sur
face agitation, for the sake of amusement,
but deep-rooted and out-spoken intention
to crush and keep down everything that
tended to place the workingmau and the nom
workingman more on level intellectually.
In this, the first part of the race, they have
cunningly taken every advantage presented,
and in one way or another have absorbed
into their own institutions the capital and
income of the better part of our agricultural
colleges. Thus, and by keeping up the ap-
pearance of agricultural instruction without
the reality, they have secured to themselves
about ,all the benefit that was to be had
and have done it under the very eyes of the
farmers themselves. Here, then, is great
and partially sufficient reason why success
does not attend such an effort in behalf of
practical knowledge. We can see little, if
not considerable of this, in these colleges in
the states of Vermont and New Hampshire,
and their present thriftless con lition is in
measure owing to this cause
1t is not exactly pleasant for class of
young men who deem themselves entitled
to as much respect as others of like charac-
ter and intelligence, to enter school with
the understanding that they are to be con-
sidered inferior, because they choose to pre-
pare themselves for certain honorable
occupation. Neither is it pleasant to be
snubbed by the large classes in the academic
departments, and at the same time be
obliged to submit, or leave the school.
Worse yet it is to see the farmers them.
selves look on in a helpless and dazsd sort
of way, and give neither help nor encour-
agement to such as would do honor to their
own calling. Perhaps we are mistaken in
so thinking, but one thing seems decidedly
| plain to us; and that is, if the farmers have
! not interest enough in their own vocation
| to take hold of these things and see that
they are righted, if they will not demand
| respect for themselves or their institutions,
they cannot expect others will respect them ;
nor should they blame the boys for turning
their steps some other way. How long, think
you, would it be if the students in medical
and law schools were treated as meanly, and
with as much contempt, as in our agricul-
tural schools, before the members of these
professions would rise and place them on
such footing that contempt would have to
be cast up instead of down to reach them
In saying this l do not mean to be under
stood as laying to the farmers the blame OF
being the cause of this state of things, but
do blame them for letting them remain so.
The time is ripe now for change. Let us
look into these things.
1t is poor encouragement for a young
man struggling along with the world to have
his occupation constantly thrown in his face
as hindrance to every project There are
men who could manage our colleges and who
have no such antagonism, but would take
an interest in the students; and it is better
sometimes to have sound rather than dis
tinguished instruction. have here giver
one reason why success is not attained. Ii
addition to this there is another of consider
able Importance, which is often overlooked
and that is the cost of procuring such al
education.
Here again is something which prevents
many from availing themselves of opportu
mites which are now beyond their reach
! 1t is fact, however strange it may seem
that an education can be obtained NOR
cheaply in literary than in scientific o
agricultural department. One reason TO
this is that in the former the classics ar
taught, aud so the student is enabled t
teach preparatory and select schools, bot
during course and afterward; but in tn
case of the latter there is no demand no,
for instruction such as he is able to Civ
The consequence is, if both teach-and tina
is, in fact, about all either can do in cours
the one will earn one hundred dollar
> while the other is earning twenty-five. VIII
this is so, any one can see. There are otht
reasons, perhaps, that come in to obstruC
the way, but these, in my estimation, al
> the greatest
Now what to do and how to do it, are th
problems which can be inteligently solve
:, only when the farming community unde
stands the subject thoroughly and taxi
: hold of it in a business sort of way.
:, ! might suggest great many things.
' might suggest that the colleges be taken OF
: of the hands they are now in and placed
}, the hands of Others, who would possibly il
prove the condition of things. | might su
. gest the lessening of expenses, in one wa
" or another but will stop right here, as
e prefer to hear from others who know mo
, about 1t than | can claim 10 do.
IT j. A. KEYEs, Chelsea, Vermont.
. For the Vermont Waterman