Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-11-24
Agriculture In schools.

ments Of agriculture in the public
schools. Perhaps there may be
reason and wisdom in this as well
as justice, for agriculture in that
unfortunate island must necessarily
be in deplorable condition, when the
soil, proverbial for its excellence,
does not support its occupants. In
such a case tie first principles Of the
profitable culture Of the soil may
well be taught in the schools, whic h
are the only meaus of ching
population that is quite without
any other source of instruction.
But it is an evidence OF a popular
need of rudimcntary instruction,
that a beginning has been made, in
Ireland,in the way of teaching chill
dren as much as possible of the first
principles of the industry by which
they are supported and must soon
support themselves. This need is
as apparent in America as in Ire
land.
1t is a fundamental one, at least,
as regards the rural population.
1t is admitted that it is the duty Of
the State to instruct the youth in
such knowledge as shall make them
industrious and useful citizens.
This is one of The first principles
Of our beneficent form of govern
ment. In urban schools, children
and youths are taught the princi
piles of mechanics and other useful
sciences, as well as TO read, write
and figure they are also taught
the principles of commercial indus
tries, and in all useful and practical
bic ways are prepared to enter the
several employments open to them
in the towns and cities. In rural
schools the system of education
does not adapt itself so well to the
special requirements of the children,
aud children and young men and
women who attended them and
when the time comes for these to
leave school, they are too apt to
look from home for employment, be-
cause their minds have not reen
turned in the direction of their home
pursuits.
More money can be made by
young man upon farm than in
a city store OR Office. The wages
paid by farmers are more than the
average paid in stores and offices. A
youth of Is, who thinks himself
we'll paid at three dollars week in
silawyer's Office, can earn as much
in money, with his board in addi-
ton, on a farm. This is the low
est rate paid by farmer and com
petent farm workman can earn more
money than that. The young man
who earns eight or ten dollars week
ly in a city is thought well off.
But when the cost of board, and
the requisite expensive clOthing,and
the wasteful habits of city life are
all covered, there is nothing left to
lay by. The young farmer can
easily save q hundred dollars a
year. and in a few years by study
and observation can become such d
master of his art that he can rent a
farm, stock it with his savings, and
earn a comfortable and Independent
living. 1t is worse than useless for
those who have influence in mold
ing popular opinion to lead young
men TO believe there is no place for
them in the country, and to say that
o man cannot be farmer unless
he owns his farm. To do this in
all cases is an impossibility. Does
every man engage in business own
his store, his stock or his business?
Not by any means. Every one
hopes to do this in time, but the
prizes which fall to the successful
ones are buried under thousands Of
blanks and failures. 1t is not so on
the farm. The industrious young
man who is able to rent a farm, has
q far better chance ofowning it, or
another, in a reasonable time, thar
The clerk in a store or workman in
q factory has Of owning a similar
business for himself. Farming is q
progressive business. Stock acct
mulates very fast and in a few years
small beginning attains to respec-
table proportions. If one only
knows how And here is the point
which we wish TO enforce.