The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-12-25

The foundation of correct agri-
cultural education can be begun the
most ef'ectually in our schools. a
knowledge of the principles which
underlie Agriculture as science is
essential to the continuous prosper.
ity of our country, for without cor
rect system of agricultural improve
ment there can be no commerce or
manufactures. no population or pros
perity. Agriculture has from the
beginning been the primal source of
prosperity, for it is the parent OF all
the other great industrial pursuits.
1t is becoming daily more and
more evident that each child should
receive an education that shall best
fit them for the life work they are
to undertake. 1t is exceedingly de-
sirable that small proportion OF the
worlds future workers should be
early taught the rudimentary prin-
ciples involved in the science of Ag-
riculture. To become an expert far
mer, one should fist become &C
quainted with the origin, compost
ton and classification Ct soils; the
composition of plants; the compost
ton and properties of the atmos-
phere; the source of plant-food and
how obtained; the improvement of
soils; the use of manures or fertili
zers; the proper rotation of crops
and the selection and care of live
stock. This is but an integral part
ofwhat is to be learned. Therefore,
it is matter of the greatest impor-
lance that an agricultural education,
in order to be of the greatest bene-
fit to the receiver of it, should be
commenced in childhood.
Granting that one of the chief
ends of education is the discipline
of the mind, is it not fair to presume
that the course marked out will af-
ford the necessary discipline and at
the same time be teaching the ele
ments of an education which will
always be-no matter what other
occupation may be subsequently
chosen-of permanent value of the
recipient oft? Our present system
of education, though manifestly less
imperfect than it was quarter of a
century ago, vet affords wide field
for Improvement. 1t must be ad,
mitted that the faculties which come
earliest into play, are suited to OBJ
re n
in nature. These facts are the natu-
raj study of the earliest years of chill
dren.
In order to aid accomplishing SO
desirable an object, and to implant
in the minds of the young who have
had, or may have, the good fortune
to be born on the farm, we note with
pleasure the recent publication of a
little work entitled elementary
Principles of Scientific Agricul-
ture." The author is Prof. n. L.
Lupton, of the Chemical Depart
ment of the Vanderbilt University.
| through the influence of the State
| Grange of Tennessee this little work
has been adopted as text book in
| the common schools, and as a regu-
lar study for the farmers boys and
i girls in that State. The agricultu
raj interests in that State owe debt
Of gratitude to Hon. Leon Trousdale,
State Superintendent of Public In
struction, and to Hon. B. Kille.
brew, Commissioner of agriculture
Will not Kentucky, Ohio, and every
State Grange yet to meet press
the matter of the adoption of this oil
similar agricultural text book as
a regular branch of study in our com
mon schools? Pupils thus trained in
the elementary principles of agricul
ture will learn what will not only bt
useful to them in after life, but VIVA
is Of equal importance, will teacl
them how to render country life
not only more agreeable-and i
farmingis adopted as a pursuit
more profitable. The time is clos,
at hand when contempt for labor il
the field will cease. The growing
intelligence of farmers as class will
hasten the elimination of this lie
from the minds of our boys an
girls. 1t is rapidly becoming
thanks to the influence Of III
Grange-quite as respectable to hol
the plow as to handle the yard-stick
or making a chemical analysis of tn
soil they cultivate, as in cipherin
out in a counting house the mos
perplexing trial balances.
What State in the North will b
the first to take the initiative in til
direction indicated?
The valuable little work to whic
we have referred, is published b
D. Appleton, & Co., of New Yorl
Strong flexible covers, 10Y pages
retail price, per mail thirty cent
and every Grange should have &
least one copy in its library
Grange Bulletin.
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ENGLISH Co-EDUCATIoN.-Th
| EnuliCb ,,piuarSitiac ora laa1incr RI