St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-12-09
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION,
Report of the National Grange Committee
on Education.

AGRICULTURAL EUUCAIlUNs
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 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 attaches to the subject of edu-
cation. The Grange claims for itself dis
tnct individuality of its own as farmers Or
ganization, which seeks to promote higher
agriculture. and the social and political eleva-
ton of the farmer, with distinct literature of
Its own; and on marshaling its own peculiar
methods for accomplishing its aims, the activi-
ties by which its ends are to be obtained, 1t
has justly given the pre-eminence to educa-
ton, and early devised those methods by
which the Grange has become college for the
farmer, and a most excellent school for the
citizen. Abundant and repeated testimony
prove that where these methods have been APP
Piled more practical knowledge and a 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 rank as an educated class by.
the farmers does not depend alone upon the
universities and the schools, but upon
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 familiar. The
committee does not deem it necessary. there
fore, to do more than urge the vigorous en-
ployment of these methods in the subordinate
Oranges, and to recommend that the duties
devolvedupon 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 vigor 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 be done to
direct and educate the young mind in the ear
her stages of its development. Through prop
erly selected pictures, juvenile readers, and
simple devices, familiar science may be
taught, and valuable instruction impaired
The young mind is educated by everything
with which it comes in 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 inn port
ant duties ever deyolyed by this body upon its !
members is to use every proper effort to have
the elementary principles of ayr cultural
science taught in them. Many of the State
Masters, in their annual addresses, have urged
the Importance OF this measure, and are Wes
trust, Iaboring to secure the necessary leg sla-
ton in the premises. Others again have only
in general way discharged this duty. We
have not space in this report, even if it were,
now necessary, to urge the Importance of q
specific education for the farmer, or the pceu---
lar benefits to be derived from the introduce
ton of this study into the publ c schools, ITO.
recite the arguments in favor OF it, SO we will
dismiss the subject, with the recommendation
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.
beg leave to recommend, further, that
the National Grange urge upon the members
of this body, and patrons everywhere, to use
every effort to make teaching of agricultu al
science and the mechanic arts the paramount
object of the agricultural colleges of the sew
eral States. Unfortunately for the best inter-
ests at stake, this department is too often SUBJ
ordinate. 1t too often occurs that whilst these
colleges receive a liberal patronage, u very
small per cent. of those who attend them take,
the agricultural courses, Notwithstanding they
established rtpua of
pense to diffuse agricultural education
throughout the respective 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--
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 of from 200
to 500 pupils, scarcely more than dozen will
be in the agricultural department, and of this
small number, large proportion will seek
professorships in the colleges of the country
farms. 1t is obvious that an intelligent farm
er, whose operations are directed by knowl-.
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 multiply these
centers of light and the work Of promoting
agricultural education will go on in rapid pro-
erosion. 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 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 progressive 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-