Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-11
What Shall Scholars Studyi

NHuJ SHNIl ScHOihTs Stuuy
Under this title, q" Inquirer" who occupies
a prominent position on the bench in an ad-
joining county and who is careful observer,
raises question in a recent issue of the
WATcHMAN, which is applicable to a large
majority of Vermont schools, namely,
whether too much time is not given to
the study of the so-called common-school
branches TO the exclusion Of others of equal
importance, and further states that such
course tends to make the older scholars list
less and tired of school from the fact that
they have literally outgrown it and all 1T
can offer them, and soon leave for new and
more interesting scenes, unless the teacher
has sufficient judgment TO perceive that new
fields must be opened for their attention
and investigation.
These facts are worthy the attention Of
every thoughtful teacher and there are few
such who cannot call to mind some instance
where the right suggestions at the right
time, and offered in the right spirit, to some
who have been under their charge, might
have kept them in school years longer, and
possibly by such means have largely shaped
their future course in life.
Time, to Americans, is so extremely prec-
ious, and Sc pre-eminently devoted to max
| ing money, that the older scholars, especially
the able-bodied boys, are not only discour-
aged from pursuing the more liberal studies
which shall give them "a purer air and a
broader view," but are taught by parents
that /" interest is all they need to know Of
arithmetic and are often advised to leave
school earlier than they otherwise would,
because 1T don't pay, pay, PAY" Their
fathers say so, their mothers say so, and
their older brothers and sisters all say so,
therefore it must Of course be so. clay up
money" is the chorus of the family song
which is often the substitute for family wor-
ship. These influences the teacher must do
his best to overcome, indeed, must be care
full that school does not grow uninteresting
because of lack of enthusiasm, invention
and proper direction on his part, since his
influence is sometimes greater than that Of
all others combined.
The question arises here: What studies
are most important for those under our tut
ton that they may have the basis of scien
tifc and business education We mention
one--notably because knowledge or Ignorance
of it must inevitably form an element more
or less prominent in the success or failure O
Vermont men-the principles of agriculture
science. One would suppose that in a local
ity where agriculture is practically the onl,
occupation of the inhabitants, that the sci
ence of agriculture would occupy the frs
position in the catalogue of studies lai'
down for common schools. Instead, the re
verse is true; and we doubt whether there
are ten schools in the state in which it ha
anything which approaches a respectable
showing. Some excuse for this exists il
the fact that there are few books on thi
subject adapted to the schools and needs o
the day. Teachers can do something towar'
obviating this difficulty by judicious us
of the best agricultural papers which cir
culate in the state.
No words of ours are needed to call tht
attention of the readers of the WATcHMAs
, to the well-considered editorials on the las
page of this sheet For a publication de
Agriculturia is held in high esteem anon
the best farmers. 1t seems to appreciat
very nearly the wants, conditions and Gil
cumstances of its readers, and is filled wit
such reading and information as is With
the comprehension of all. But we trus
that ere long books which can be used t
advantage by district schools will be forth
e coming. Were some practical work gene
a ally introduced and thoroughly taught, for
). period of ten years, we believe the result
n would go very far toward solving the prol
r lem why boys leave the farm ?" Is it tn
!, fault of teachers that such is not the case
/ Whenever the public has felt its need of an,
II thing, andexpressed that need with continue
earnestness, the universal law of deman
and supply has generally filled that vacanc,
As we write, a farmers meeting, conducte
by some of the leading agriculturists of ii
state and made up of some of the best farm
ers in Washington county, is in session
an adjoining town. Will there be made
that meeting an earnest appeal for teache
who are thoroughly competent to teach Il
principles of scientific agriculture; an
will those gentlemen, as they go to their v
rious homes to provide for the wants of IL
public schools in the years to come, do VIII
they might do toward procuring such teac
., 81 ers ? Teachers will qualify themselves
d. the best of their ability to impart just sue
ID information as is demanded by strongly a
er serted public opinion, but the supply vi
n not precede the demand.
II. Whenever reform happens to be the ord
of the day, cry is at once started to abolil
the agricultural college because, the sta
board having been reformed out of exstenc
it is the next most convenient object al
h further, it is alleged because it does not I
the state with scientific farmers. Shall
be left to one agricultural college to educa
the masses or shall the masses educate thel
selves