The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-03-29
PRACTICAL

local but Of national importance. No state
paper emanating from the chief executive OF
a state or of the nation is now considered
complete unless a liberal portion of it is de-
/ voted to its discussion. In this age of pro-
gress no one denies and but few undervalue
its Importance, but in the methods by which
knowledge should be impaired a wide diversi
ty of opinion exists. What shall We teach and
how shall we teach are questions that readily
suggest themselves to our educators, but their
proper answers do not SO readily appear. To
arrive at a satisfactory solution of these edu-
c%atlonal problems is one of the prime objects
of Teachers Institutes. What shall bs
taught, or in other word. what constitutes a
practical education is probably one OF the
most important questions for their consider
/ alton.
1t will readily be admitted that the object
of going to school is to learn. But what is
the object of learning 1t will be as readily
answered that 1t is to prepare for life and its
duties. Then the question arises-Do the
studies that are commonly pursued in our
schools do this in a satisfactory manner? In
order to a fair understanding Of this matter
it will be we'll to inquire what learning is
necessary in order to be prepared for life and
its duties, and then we can determine whether
the studies pursued are the proper ones. We
know that of the many things taught in
schools-some are necessary,s omea are useful,
some that are considered merely ornamental,
and some are altogether useless. In the first
class may be named those that directly aid in
self-preservation, and in the second those
that indirectly aid in accomplishing the same
end and lays the foundation upon which a
proper education may be built. A consldera-
ton OF first importance to self-preservation is
to 50 live and act that the health in the fullest
sense may he preserved. The laws of our be-
ing, both physical and mental, must be-, at
least to a certain extent, understood. 1t will
hardly be necessary to prove this statement.
Every thinking person will admit its truth.
To reach this end the study of physiology
should be pursued in our schools, and yet,
how rarely do We find it among the branches
taught. Again, the success of civilization de-
ponds upon he success of the. cultivators OF
the soil !; for, without the products of the cul-
tivated ground, civilization could not exist.
Then the education of this class Is of first i'm
portance. The common schools are supposed
to furnish much of the education of those
most likely to follow this pursuit. But aside
from the fundamental branches reading,
writing and arithmetic, which are alike of
service in all cccupatlons-what education is
there given to prepare the cultivator of the
soil for his work? The agricultural colleges
may be cited as places to study agriculture.
True, they are good as far as they go, but
they are neither common schools nor common
anywhere; and but few can afford to attend
them or ii they can afford it, can be induced
to do so. The common school is the place
where the mass of the farmers sous and
daughters must obtain whatever of an educa-
ton they receive. For this class the higher
mathematics, extended courses in history and
geography, and the languages are, for the
most part, only ornamental, and, with Il few
exceptions, do not in any necessary way pre-
pare them for their life work. The principal
dGSuLlGtib LildG Cdu Uc TdlSS. Ill ldNOT VI bHGSe
studies is the disciplining of the mind, and
this can be quite as we'll accomplished by
needtul studies.
Do not let us be understood as entirely OBJ
jecting to these studies the ruaiments of all
are desirable, tor civilized man must pay
some attention to ornament. Something
more than the IudimeltS of mathematics is
needful in draining, ETC., but history and ge-
and when circumstances and events call for
the knowledge; and foreign languages may
be neglected without disadvantage.
Those branches most needful should take
the place of these studies. Entomology, orni-
thology and meteorology are important to the
common farmer and the fruit, flower and
tree culturist. The value of the knowledge
of the first will be readily seen when we con-
slider the ravages of various insects, that prey
upon and scatter desolation among the fields
of a9riculturists.
1t is known that some birds feed on insects,
some on grain and fruits and some on both
classes. 1t should be learned which birds are
really our friends and which are our enemies
Ornithology is a pleasant, useful and enter
tanning study INT can be taken up at a very
early age. The science of meteorology is so
far advanced that many sure indications of
the weather are known beforehand. The use
of the thermometer and barometer are easily
learned and easily taught and their study
he mill, ~eNEt tt--
mon schools. Beginnings in botany, mineral
ogy and other natural sciences are valuable
and should be made in the common school.
The knowledge of these branches, if properly
acquired, are potent factors of success in life.
Thus far WI have spoken of three branches
mainly in refarapna tn tho cultivation IF tbo