The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-03-20
-, 4 NAV be proper to mention chat.

edu n~n;zes the necessity for proper early
re 1,csst;on for the farm, and proposes to
The foundation for practical agri.
,.,ral education laid in the common
cui'u nIs which shall consist in implantine
s.: SCH. .be Young mind, an elementary knowl-
~ L. If scientific agriculture, and by ia.
eo ;GF;srzing it with practical truths, to in
HIT i TO habits of thought and observa-
W., whilst it is yet susceptible of being
uNo;ned and disciplined. This is very
.lsnortant consideration, and the neglect
Ut entails evils from which the mind
Ever fully RECEIVERS.
In our own State the necessary legisla-
So, has been secured, and our public
snbools have been equipped for the in
strnction of the masses in the elementary
nr;nciples of agriculture, and the necessa-
r. elementary work is now ready for the
nress, and very soon we shall test the
pp,scticability of instructing the masses in
his direction, with what results remains to
he seen. You will see from the report of
the Committee on Education that the Ma
t;onal Grange passed a resolution looking
to the adoption, in every State in the
Union, of this method of instructing the
masses in an elementary knowledge of a
science which bears so important rela-
tom to their daily avocation. This is, per-
hans. the beginning of an end that will
confer the proudest distinction upon the
Grange, and which will establish its
claims to the confidence, respect and sup
mort of the farmers, as an fundamentally
tor advancing their interest. AS this effort
70 popularize agricultural education and
oroyide for the instruction in this direc-
ton of. even the children of the humblest
farmers, has been inaugurated under
Grange auspices, let every Patron of the
State, use his best efforts to secure for the
system full and perfect trial, to the end
that the young, who are destined to the
fields of agriculture, may be better quail
fen for labor therein and our Order may
be prospered in the noble work it is doing
for those who till the soil.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
system of our State is not only lever of
gigantic power in the interest of intell-
cent citizenship, but also in our hands tor
preparing the young for the higher school
of the Grange, and a wider sphere of USE
fulness This system new to US, is, per-
haps, encountered with too much machin-
erY and needs simplifying and perfect
purpose for which it was established.
This subject is worth some consideration
at your hands and it may, perhaps, be
proper to appoint a committee to examine
into the system and its workings in the
State with instructions to report to the
next general assembly by bill or other
wise, such amendments as the exigencies
of the service, and a wise State policy
may seem to dictate These remarks are
merely suggestive, and are prompted by
the subject, and its relation to the educa-
tional plans of the Order, which contem-
plate growth in practical knowledge,
for which abundant Grange experience
now proves the necessity of specific
early training and direction of the young
mind, which can be obtained only in our
common schools.
| desire in this connection to refer
briefly to the University of Tennessee, at
Knoxville, the agricultural department of
which, has not, heretofore, received from
the farmers of the State the consideration
due to it. The friends of the institution
may take courage, however, for in the
growing desire for better education for
the farm, and the demand for increased
facilities for the instruction of the young
in, at least, the elementary principles of
agricultural science, we are justified in
predicting largely increased popularity
for it in the near future. And we hope
to see it soon the pride of our farmers,
and literally light set upon hill, which
will illumine their minds, and be reflect
ed in the increased fertility of their farms,
enlarged productions, and in the wisest
economy in farm management. Our far
mers should thoroughly understand the
superior advantage this school presents,
for in its pecuniary cheapness to the stu
dent it is exceptional, the education is re-
markably thorough, and the amplest pro-
vision is made for the theoretical and
practical education of the young in all
branches of learning relating to agricul-
ture. Its location is most healthful and
accessible; and in the recent election of
Prof. Mcbride to the chair of the Theory
and Practice of Agriculture, the means of
obstruction have been largely increased.
Our State is, indeed, distinguished for
the educational facilities it possesses, as
all the orthodox Christian churches have
their centres of learning within its Dor
gers, and the leading normal school OF the
South at Nashville, for which we are in
debted, however to the munifcence OF
stranger. This school, which should be
regarded as the complement of the other
eminent schools in our State, we are in
danger of losing-a calamity which I hope
Will be averted by the prompt action OF
nose who appreciate its worth to ouI
otate. Should it remain in the State we
are promised chair to qualify teachers
more thoroughly for the new field of in.
Structions opened up at the last session Of
our State Legislature, and to which refer
ence has already been made. In reference
to the
PATENT LAWS
need I1 only urge upon you such action a.
VIII strengthen the efforts of our friends
IN every section of the country to obtalr