Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-12-08
VOL. |. NO. l2.
AGRfCI LTURAL EDUCATION.
Report of the Nationa. Grange Committe
ON Education.


Report of the National Grange COMMITTEES
ON Education.
The report of the recent session of the
National Grange at Indianapolis OF the
Committee on education expressed very
decided views regarding educat 'onal
matters. and suggested that agricultural
institutions be especially well patron
lied. Following is the report OF the
committee ON the educational ques-
ton:
We accord with the Worthy Master in tho
Importance he alta hes to the subject OF edu-
cat on The Grange claims for itself dis
tnct individuality Of its own as a farmer or
g. nizat on which seeks to promote a higher
agriculture, and the social and pol teal eleva'
ton of the farmer, W III a d siinct literature OF
| Its own; and on mnrshaling its own peculiar
methods for accomplishing its aims, the activi-
ties by which its ends are to be obtained, II
| has justly given the pre-emnence to educa'
I on and early dev .sed those methods by
whis h the Grange has become a college for the
| farmer, ana a most excellent school for the
ci izen. Abundant and repeated testimony
| prove that where these methods b i've been ap-
| Piled more practical knowledge aud broader
| intelligence have beeD the result. In the
adoption of practic Il educational methods
| for its members, the order recognizes the
| important fact that the attlinment of
higher rank as an educated class by
tn farmers does not depend alone upon the
universities and the schools, but upon =
patien str wing of both themselves and the
Government to provide the most appropriate
education possible under the circumstances.
An enlarged experience approves the meth
ods VIII, ch have been adopted. and with which
the tncmb bers of th body are fam liar. The
committee does not deem II necessary. there
fore, to do more than urge the v gorous en-
Jloym MT OF these me IDS in the subordinate
Oranges, and to recommend rh't the duties
devolved upon the Worthy Lecturer at tine last
national meeting be continued again. We
fully indorse the views of the Worthy Master as
L. the N ortance and value Of Grunge papers,
and would especially urge upon the Masters
present and our brother patrons everywhere
10 promote, by every possible means, their
circulat on among the formers of the coun-
try. II has been truly said that wherever they
are read they give yigjr and strength to the
order.
With regard to home education we would
suggest thaf much thoughtful care should be
given to this subject. Much may be done to
rect and educate the you q mind in the ear
lier stage of its development Through prop
erly selected pictures, juvenile read RS, and
simple devices, familiar science may be
taught, and valuable instruction impaired.
The young mind is educated by everyth ng
W til which II comes in contact. In its restless
serrcb fJr knowledge 1t GATHERS 1t at the fire.
side, at the family altar. in youthful sports,
everywhere, and the parent is fortunate who
d reefs its natural inquisifiveness into health
full and instructive channels.
W tn rcgard to the public schools, we would
respectfully urge fhnt one of the m most IN ort-
ant duties ever deyolyed by this body upon its
members il to use every proper Ell f,rt to have
the elementary princples OF aQr cultural
science taught in them. Many of the state
sloste Z. In their annual addrt sses. have urged
the Importance of this measure. and are. we
trust, laboring to secure the necessary lcxisia-
ton in the premises. Others again h,ye only
in general way scharred this duty. We
have not space in this rep 1t, even II It wer
now necessary. To urxe sh. Importance Of
spccino educ stion for the farmer, or the pecul-
FAR benefits TO be derived from the introduo-
ton of this udy into the publ schools, o to
recite the arguments in favsr oft so We will
dismiss the subject, with the recommendation
tn I the re ol ton In reference q IL passed -
the f1ure eenth annual meet ng OF this body. be
repubi shed In CONNECTION herewith, for the
be Icnt of those VINO have become members
since that meeting.
Web Y leave 60 recomLicnd, further, that
the National Grange urge upon the members
Of this body, and patrons everywhcr !, to use
every effort to make teaching OF ngrcultu al
science and the mechanic arts the paramount
Object OF tbs agricultural colleges OF the sew
cral States. Unfortunately Tor the best inier-
ests at stake, this department Is too often sub
ordinate. II too often occurs that whilst tn 20
colleges receive iiber Il patronage, very
small r cent of tn So who attend them take
the agri ulturai courses. notwithsta ding they
are establish d ana supported af public ex-
pense TO dinuse agricultural education
throughout the respective stat
They are. In too many instances but httio
m 70 than mere f'rsry classical schools.
rIyaling those which have Q, established by
corporate and private enterpn es, and to tho
desrlment of tho great interest they are re-
quirtd subserve.
We ho d. then. that instruction IN tneoret
ical and practical agricu ture shouii be the
prime object Of these schools ana that all
students who attend them, under state
auspices. should be required to take either the
theoret cal or mcchnncai course. IL some
I mes occurs, and where the confr'r happ ms
it Is the exception. tnat in classes OF from 20
10 800 pupils, scarcely more than a dozen VIII
be in h. agricultural department aud OF this
small number. a large proportion VIII seek
in the coll sges OF the country
and a very small proportion viii return TO the
farms. II 10 obvious that an intelligent farm-
er, whose op rations are directed by knowl
edxe OF the prnc pl which underife IN m.
will diruse around h M the intelligence that
puidcs h m. such an individual will prove In
valuable IN promoting n healthy public
.e,tirnens in flv ,r of an e$1cafed husbandry.
:, -. -, -, .,,.,,a ,h,.. <-,f-
- feguinnt y" ""v 49, -.
leges. rs pes bed b. law, 10 take inc hgrr
cultural c,ur.c, you LARGELY mutt ply these
! ,,crs ~ ehs and the work of promoting
n'eIs VI 49, -, -. -, a., ~,,.s -
agricuituret euuc"i VII ~ y" =" ~ -
gr, ,ss.on- We have not the space 10 pursue
lfs subfccf further in our report. but we
,.1.,,if \ 20, a ,llv recommend that tais body
"' 'e'P ~ - ~. -, c....
rn@oh upon tne h's'ers "i .no 20 ts"' -
Oranges that sthcy make dlnKenE IN u ~ III
refer nee 70 tn matter. with ries 70 sucn
actinn tie future rs may be neoess try 10
conform these institutions to the require
men Of the law establishing them- ana the
- ctr.. and