The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-12-09
AGRICULTURkL EDUCATION.
Report of the SatiODhl Grange Committee
ON Education.

| 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 alta hes TO the subject Of edu-
cation. The Grange claims for itself a dis
! tinct individuality of its ownas a farmers or
ganization, which seeks to promote a higher
agriculture, and the social and political cleva,
! ton of the farmer, W tn a stnct literature of
| its own; and on marshaling its own peculiar
methods for accomplishing It's aims, the activf
| ties by which its ends are to be obtained II
! has Justly given the pre-eminence to educa-
| ton, and early devised those methods by
! which the Grange has become college forthe
| farmer, and most excellent school for the
CT izen. Abundant and repeated testimony
prove that where these methods 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
higher rank as an educated class by
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 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
devolvedu 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 Grunge 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 you mind in the ear
l1er 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 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 'mport-
ant duties ever devolved 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 addrt sses have urged
Of 10
trust, laboring to secure the necessary g.sla-
ton in the premises. Others again have ONLY,
IN a general way discharged this duty 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 Dement'S TO be derived from the introduce
ton of this study into the publ schools, orto
recite the arguments in favor of 1t, so we will
dismiss the subject, with the recommendation
that the resolution in reference tp IT. pas sed 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, furthe !, that
the National Grang urge upon the members
OF this body, and patrons eyerywher To use
every ehort TO make teaching OF agrculul al
science and the mechanic arts tn q paramount
object of the agricultural colleges of the se,-
eral states. Unfortunately for the best inter-
ests al stake, this department Is too often sub
ord1nate. Ittoo often occurs that whilst these
colleges receive liberal 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 difuse agricultural education
throughout the respective States.
1hey are, In too many instances, but little
more than mere literary and classical schools
rlvaling those which have been established by
corporate and private enterprises, and to the
aetrlment or the great interest they are re-
We hold, then, that instruction in theoret-
lcal ana practlcai agriculture should be tho
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
u IL the exception, that in classes of from 200
10 BOO pupils scarcely more than a 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
err whose operations are directed by knowl-
edge OF the principles which underlie them
will difuse around him the intelligence that
guides him. Such an individual will prove in
valuable in promoting healthy public
sentiment IN favor or an educated husbandry
BY requiring all who attend these col
leges, as prescribed by law, to take the aRri-
cultural course, you largely multiply these
centers OF hght, 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 disent inquiry in
reference 10 this matter, with d View to such
s senon in t tne fu,nre as may be necessary to
ments or tho law establishing them, and the
demands of a 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 d.
rection. This Is legitimate subject OF Grange
inquiry, and as Intimately connected with the,
estS OF those we represent as any other nhaa.