The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-08
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
Report OF the National Grange Colnmltee
on Education.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCAIlUNs
report OF the National Orange Commistes
on Education.
The report of the recent session Of the
National Grange at Indianapolis OF the
Committee on Education expressed very
decided views regarding educational
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 the
Importance he attaches to the subject of edu-
cation. The Grange claims for itself dis
tinct individuality of its own rs farmer 3 or
gunization, which seeks tn promote a higher
agriculture. and the social and political eleva-
ton of the farmer, w.th a d stinet literature of
its own; and on marshaiing its own peculiar
methods for accomplishing its aims, the activi-
ties by which its ends are to be obtained, it
has justly given the pre-eminence to educa-
ton, and early devised those methods by
which the Grange has become a college for the
farmer, and a most excellent school for the
II izen. Abundant and repeated testimony
prove that where these methods have been APP
piled more practical knowledge and broader
intelligence have been the resulr. In tho
adoption of practicl educational methods
for its members, the order recognizes the
important fact that the attainment of
a higher rank 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
Government to provide the most appropriate
education possible under the circumstances.
An enlarged experience approves the meth
DDS which have been adopted. and with which
the members of this body are fam liar. The
committee does not deem il necessary. there
fore, to do more than urge the vigorous en-
ployment of these me hods in the subordinate
Oranges. and to recommend that the duties
devolved upon the Worthy Lecturer at the last
national meeting be continued again. We
fully indorse the views of the Worthy Master as
to the Importance and value of Grange papers,
and would especially urge upon the Masters
present and our brother patrons everywhere
to promote, by every possible means, their
circulation among the farmers of the coun-
try. 1t has been truly said that wherever they
are read they give vigyr and strength to the
order.
With regard to home education we would
suggest that much thoughtful care should be
given to this subject. Much may he done to
direct and educate the you mind in the ear
Her stages 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 everything
with which it comes i'm contact. In its restless
search for knowledge, it gathers it at the fire.
side at the family altar. In youthful sports,
everywhere. and the parent is fortunate who
directs its natural inquisitiveness into health
full and instructive channels.
With regard to the public schools, we would
respectfully urge that one of the most IMPORT
ant duties ever devolved by this body upon its
members il to use every proper effort to have
the elementary principles of ayr cultural
science tlught in them. Many of the State
Masters, in their annual addresses, have urged
trust, labOrins to secure the necessary leg sIa-
ton in the premises. Others again have only
in general way schayged this duly. We
have not space in this report, even if it were
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 publ schools, or to
recite the arguments in favor OF it. so we will
dismiss the subject, with the recommendation
that the resolution i'm reference to il, passed at
the fourteenth annual meet ng 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 agricultural
science ard the mechanic arts the paramount
object of the agricultural colleges of the sew
eral States. Unfortunately for the best inter-
"a pt .ola 10
ordinate. 1t too often occurs that whilst tb Sc
colleges receive a liber,l patronage, a very
small per cent. of those who attend them take
the agricultural courses, Notwithstanding they
are established and supported at public ex-
pense to diffuse agricultural education
throughout the res pective States.
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 enterprises, and to the
detriment of the great interest they are re-
quirod to subserve.
We hod, then. that instruction i'm 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. II some
times occurs, and where the contrary happens
it is the exception, that in classes of from a0)
to 800 pupils, scarcely more than dozen will
be in the agricultural department, and of this
small number. a 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
or, whose operations are directed by knowl-
edge of the prime pies which under.ie them.
will difTu5e around him the intelligence that
guides Inn. Such an individual will prove in
valuable in promoting a healthy public
sentiment i'm favor of an educated husbandry.
b. requiring all who attend these col
leges, as prescribed b. law, to take the agri-
cultural course, you largely multiply these
centers of light, and the work of promoting
agricultural education will go on in rapid pro-
gression. We have not the space to pursue
this subject further in our report but we
would respectfully recommend that this body
enjon upon the Masters Of the several Stat
Oranges that they make diligent inquiry in
reference to this matter, 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 progre sive agriculture; and,
further, that they be required to report at the
next annual session of the National Grange
all the facts they may have learn ID 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 phi Sc
of Grange education.
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