The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-03-13
We publish in another column an arti.

Gle chpped from an Irish paper, which
bears along in a line that we have been
following up for sometime, the special
education of farmers sons for the life on
the farm. 1t is recognized in every other
department of human industry that
special fitness is necessary to the proper
and efficient discharge of duty-a special
study of the separate subject necessary to
a thorough apprehension of ito skill
and to success. But in regard to farming
this has been considered altogether unnec-
essary, and the planting of the soil has
been thought to be simple matter which
the veriest dullard could pursue saticfac-
torily. This idea still obtains generally
but here and there it is being recognized
that Agriculture must be studied scien-
tihcally in order to solve the problem of
the Farm. The chemical composition of
the soil-the elements necessary to. the
fullest, most perfect growth of the plant
knowledge of this is needful in order to
the wise adjustment of human forces to
natural forces, in order to the most perfect
development of the products of the soil.
There is no estimating the amount of time
and labor expended in futile attempts to
bring about impossible results. Igno-
rance has made waste places of some OF
our most fertile land, and caused more
failures than all things else combined
Nor can this appalling darkness of igno-
aance be removed except by the action Of
the farmers themselves. Let us reiterate
our charge to the members of the Grange
everywhere, that they bestow immediate
and constant and unremitting attention
| upon the Schools Let them see that
school is properly organized in every
ighborhood-let it be the theme of
every meeting, and let discussion be
worked out in action. Here is the begin
1 ning-here is where the foundation stones
are to be laid, upon which a noble, we'll
proportioned structure-the model farm
is to be reared. a4C a
There is no finer avocation in the world
than Agriculture, when scientifically
studied and pursued, for the development
of the noblest qualities of manhood and
womanhood. The daily contact with
Nature is healthful and stimulating, and
the study of the growth and development
of the multitudinous forms of plant and
animal life, afford full occupation for the
/ highest faculties Of the mind. Properly
educated, the sons of our farmers would
no longer turn from the farm as place
of dull routine and hopeless struggles
against the combined forces of Nature
Nature is indeed stubborn and unyielding
until we understand her laws and work
, in accord with those laws-then she yields
to us her wondrous secrets and repays
our lobor with her fairest fruitage. Have
we got to an understanding of the hun
dredth part of her powerss We have
much to learn, and we can only learn BY
!, untiring effort and the appropriation O
. the wisdom of those who make profound
study of the separate departments of hu
: man activities.
Are our farmers willing to be pushed t.
the wall and have their children reduced
i
tools of wise and selfish men, who will
7 appropriate their labors and grow richie
a as they grow poorer? This will inevitabl,
be the case, unless the principles of ou
Order are carried out. Selfish and de
J signing men will take advantage of igno
rance and isolation ever. Farmers! shov
your self respect by educating your son
to properly appreciate your occupation
. show them that to be doctor, lawyer,
merchant, is no nobler, no higher in tn
:, scale of intelligent beings than to be
:. farmer. And give to your children tn
: knowledge which will enable them I
y maintain themselves successfully again!
:. the competing industries of the worle
" and the rapacious greed of men of a
classes and callings. Nothing short of Ii
l. most thorough education and educatio
s along the chosen line of life, and stead
d and determined cooperation, is going
save the Farmer.