Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-08-16
The Farmers Self Education.
CONTINUED from 4th page.)

NNonllnued from 4tn paSe.)
has neither the gift nor the love Of utter
ance. The native Celt, whether French
or Irish, is frank, communicative; never
so happy as when he can get some one 10
hear him talk. The native Briton is re-
served, silent, sullen. BY the intermiXture
Of Celtic blood we have gained something
of communicativenes over our British
ancestors, but VIC are still rather taciturn
race. This natural reserve is still further
increased in farmers by their separation
from each other and their lack of social
opportunities. In somerural communities,
il they can be called communities, the
meeting house steps afford the only &C.
casion which farmers have for exchanging
few words with each other. What can
be done to counterfeit this natural and
class exclusiveness and give social inter-
course its due power in the education of
our agricultural communities Is it not
possible 10 accomplish more, much more
than we see ut present, through the vari-
Gus societies, clubs, oranges, any and all
organized places for getting men and
women together for purposes OF mutual
improvement 1t seems to one outside
the ranks that farmers club might easily
be made extremely enjoyable and profit
able. Many years ago when | was a
country schoolmaster was in the habit of
attending such q club. and it was one of
the most interesting gatherings of men |
ever attended. There ought to be such a
club in every town in the state, meeting
rs often as once fortnight through the
winter months, better still if oftener, at
tended and sustained by both mon and
women. The topics should be largely but
not wholly agricultural; some space
should be given to topics of general
interest, to questions affecting farmers and
their families as members of the COM
munity. The educating power of such an
institution after fow years of experience
would be great. Here all real improve
ments would be made known; all alleged
improvements would be discussed; all
doubtful ones would be exposed to criti-
cism. The natural conservatism of the
individual farmer would be stirred up by
the zeal and ambition of the enterprizing
few. A good club, brisk, active, we'll
organized, we'll Differed presents some of
the advantages of school, the encourage
ments of mpanionship, the stimulus of
friendly competition, the generous appro-
| clall0n OF success.
The co operative education secured by
the club might be occasionally varied by
the more formal instruction of lectures
There are few towns in Vermont that can
not have the benefit of course ofectures.
But there are lectures and lectures. The
old fashioned scientific lecture, that by
means of which the lecture system got its
| fame and did its best work was of real
value to the public. 1t brought to the gen.
eral mind in popular form the great facts
of science. But the popular lecture of
to-day, consisting largely Of rhetorical
flourishes and stale jokes, whose main pur-
pose is to draw full house by offering
amusement borrowed partly from the
melo. dramatic actor and partly from the
buifoon, is something that may be suffered
to die out without regret. Yon can have
for your purposes better lectures without
going abroad for them. The clergyman.
the lawyer, the doctor, the teacher, the
student in college, the farmer of literary
turn, the old soldier, the stranger tarrying
among you for his health, such men as
these from your own and from neighborng
towns can give you lectures which will be
of great value TO your mutual education
society. If you can bring in now and then
a really instructive and stimulating lee.
turer from abroad. we'll and good. But
this is luxury on the plan, not neces
sity.
l must speak still more concisely of two
other means of education, and because
they are nearly related to each other,
shall speak of them together, namely
observation and travel. The last year Of
a German youths apprenticeship is called
his travel.year. He wanders about al
Germany, working at his trade short
time at a great many points, in order tc
learn anything that the various loca
establishments can teach him 1t would
do US all good to take our wander. year, tc
go about among men with our eyes and
ears open, ready to learn whatever any.
body or anything has to teach us. The
world is the great school, and he gets
most wisdom who has the sharpest eyes c
see, the quickest car TO hear, the most
teachable mind to appropriate the facts
and truths which offer themselves at every
turn. 1t would be a fine thing for farm.
er if could find the time and means tC
travel little; say for few days in sum
mer, visiting the best farms and studying
the Improvements which are in operation
and again in winter when he might see Il
little of life as it goes on in village OF
city, visit institutions, libraries, cabinets
collections of art, see and hear some of the
men about whom he reads, get some men
tai quickening by coming in contact with
men who arc alive all over, and SO &C
back to his own work with more zest and
energy. Yes, some one may say, 90 back
dspirited and disguised, envying the men
who can live the brilliant life of cities. and
cursing his hard lot that he is condemned
to lead the dull life of farmer ! No, mol
so. Glad to 60 for respite and change aud
mental enlargement, heis glad to get bach
to the familiar occupations and sober home
enjoyments of farm life.
" For after ALL says.Farmer John
The best Of journey is getting home.
I've seen great sights, but would not give
This spot and the peaceful life / lead
| For all their Paris and Rome
| I've found out this says Farmer John,
~ al.