The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-12-07
AaRIcgLTuRAL EDUCATION.
R6poEf Of ti3s Nations. slIange COMMITTEE
or Edueatfons

National Grange at indianapolis OF the
Committee on education expressed very
decided views regarding educational
matters, and suggested that agricultural
institutions be especially we'll patron-
lied. Following is the report Of the
committee on the educational ques-
ton
We accord with the Worthy Master in the
importance he alta hes 10 the subject o. edu-
cation The Grange claims for itself a dis
tinct individuality of its own as a fnrmer
gnnizat on which seeks 70 promote a higher
agriculture. and the social and pol teal eleya-
tcn of the farmer, " th Il d stn I literature of
its own: and on marshalif9g it's own Peculiar
methods for accomplishing its aims, ihe aetivi-
ties by which its ends are to be obtained. it
has justly given the pre-eminence to educa-
ton, and early dtv sed those methods by
whit the Grange has become a college forthe
farmer, ana a most excellent school for the
ci fzen. Abundant and repeated testimony
prove that where these methoSs have been APP
piled more practical knowledge and broader
intelligence have been the result. In the
adoption of practical educational methods
for its members. the order recognizes the
important fact that the attainment of
"A higher tank as an educated class by
the farmers does not depend alone upon the
universities and the schools, but upon a
patient STRIVING Of both themselves and the
education possible under the circumstances.
An enlarged experience approves the meth
DDS which have been adopted. and with which
the membe ers of ia s body are fam liar. The
committee does not deem it necessary. there
fore, to d D more than urge the V gorous em-
ploym mt of these me 1ds in the subordinate
Oranges, and to recommend TINT the duties
dovoived upon the Worthy Lecturer Ht tho last
national meeting be Continued again. We
fully indorss the views of the Worthy Master as
to the M Iortauce aid value of Gramge pers,
and would especially urge upon the Masters
present and our brother patrons everywhere
to promote, bs every poss.b, means, their
circulation among the formers of the conn
try. It has been truly said that wherever they
are read they give Wig and strength to che
order.
With regard to home education we would
suggest that much thoughtful care should be
given to this subject Much may be done to
direct and educate the you mind i'm the ear4
lier stages of its development. Through props
erly selected pictures, Juvenile read rs, and
simple devices, familiar science may be
taught, and valuable instruction impaired
The young mind is educated by everything
" til which it comes iI contact. In its restless
Search fer knowledge, it gathers it at the nre-
side, at the family altar. in youthful sports,
everywhere, and the parent is fortunate who
directs its natural inquisitveness into health
hul and instructive channels.
With regard to the public schools we would
respectfully urge that one of the most i'm 9orts
ant duties ever devolved by this body upon its
members is to use every proper effort to have
the elementary principles of agr cultural
science taught in them. Many of the state
Masters, in their annual addresses; have urged
the Importance of this measure, and are, we
trust; laboring to secure the necessary legisla-
ton in the premises. Others again have only
in a general way scharged this duty. We
A-mar Eli
now necessary, to urge the Importance Of a
specific education for the farmer, or the pecul-
lar benefits to be derived from the introduce
ton of this study into the public schools. or to
recite the arguments in favor Of il, SO we will
dismiss the subject, with the recomm sndation
that the resolution in reference to it, passed at
the fourteenth annual meeting of this body, be
republ shed in connection herewith for the
benefit of those who have become members
since that meeting.
We beg leave to recommend, further, that
the National Grange urge upon the members
of this body, and patrons everywher, , to use
every effort to make teaching of agricultu al
science and the mechanic arts ths paramou t
object of the agricultural colleges of the sew
eral States. Unfortunately for the best inter
ests at stake, this department is too often sub
ordinate. 1t too often occurs that whilst these
colleges receive a liberal patronage very
small per cent Of those who attend them take
are established and supported at public ex-
pense to difruse agricultural education
throughout the respective Stat s.
They are, in too many instances, but little
more than mere literary and classical schools,
rivaling those which have been established by
corporate and private enterpri es, aud to the
detriment of the great interest they are re
quired to subserve.
We hold, then, that instruction in theoret-
ical and practical agriculture should be the
prime object of these schools, and that all
students who attend them, under state
auspices, should be required to take either the
theoretical or mechanical course. 1t some
times occurs, and where the contrary happens
it is the exception, that in classes OK from 200
TO 500 pupils, scarcely more%han dozen will
be in the agricultural department. and of this
small number, large proportion will seek
professorships in the colleges Of the country
and very small proportion will return to the
farms. 1t is obvious that an intelligent farm
er, whose operations are directed by knowl-
edge of the prime pics which underlie them.
will diffuse around him the intelligence that
guides him. Such an individual will prove in
valuable in promoting a healthy public
sentiment in favor of an educated husbandry.
BY requiring all who attend these col
leges, as prescribed By law, to take the agri-
cultural course, you largely multi ply these
centers of light, and the work Of promoting
agricultural education viii go on IN rapid pro-
gressOn. We have not the space to pursue
this subject further in our report but we
would respectfully recommend that this body
enJOin upon the Masters of the several state
Oranges that they make diligent inquiry in
reference to this NATTER with view to such
action in the future as may be necessary TO
conform these institutions to the require
ments of the law establishing them, and the
demands of a pr0gre esive agriculture; and,
further, that they be required to report at the
next annual session of the National Grange
all the facts they may have learned in this di-
rectiOn This is a leg innate subject of Grange
inquiry, and as intimately connected with the
welfare of the order and with the best inter
ests of those we represent as any other phase
of Grange education.
The duty imposed upon Masters is easily
performed, much useful information may be
collected, and Grange and agricultural educa-
ton may be largely advanced.
The committee respectfully suggests that
this duty should be enforc d by resolution,
and instruets me to offer the following:
" Resolved, That the Masters Of the several
aate Oranges be required to report to the
next meeting of the National Grange the
number of pupils in their respective
State agricultural colleges. in how many
are the studies elective. what pr cent.
of the pupils are in the several depart
ments-the classical. the mechanical and
the agricuitural-how many OF these schools
the masses. and. ind aed. if aEy steps have
been taken By any Of them to pOpularize this
DfAHCH III GNuchllBB du4 10 nffuE Lue farmers
more directly in contact with it than is possiblg
in the strictly college course.
All Of which Is respectfully submitted
T. HARwELI. Tennessee.
T. 7. SMITH, Minnesota.
j. J. Rosa. Delaware
Mrs. n. A EsHBURGH. Missouri.
MRS. NJ. o. RoBIE, Maine,
~-s -@
AT Tel-el-Kebir, Juno, an old Irish setter
belonging to the First Battalion Gordon
HighIanders, braveIy ''rushed'' the intrench-
ments at the head OF the Highlanders. ana
displayed a coolness inside aud courage