The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-11-23
Eluoatei Farmers.


If it is au advantage to the physi.
clans, or the lawyer, or the minister, to
receive instruction in the principles and
knowledge pertaining to their several
professions, thea tits none the less ad-
vantageous to the farmer to be instruct
ed in the principles of agricultural sci
once. Agriculture is one of the most
difficult sciences. 1t is made up of sew
cral subordinate sciences, and an an
derstanding of its principles requires
an acquaintance with chemistry, bota-
nv, zoology, and several other sciences.
The soil |. vast labratory in which
sne most complex chemical transforma-
tions are going forward, and it is for
the farmer TO understand, direct, re-
tard or hasten those changes, and thus
promote the growth OF the plants he
cultiva;es. The successful farmer must
not only be acquainted with the sci.
ence of agriculture, but must also know
to apply that knowledge in the prac-
tice OF the art OF agriculture. 1t is true
a man will succeed fairly well as far
mer who only understands the art of
agriculture, but knowledge of the
science is needed in order to furnish
general principles upon which to prac-
tice the art and make progress in
improvement The man who only
knows the practical part of agriculture
does not understand the why and where
fore, and will not be able to vary his
operations to meet the changed condi
tions which are continually arising.
His success in farming will be more
of the ''lucky" order, instead of resting
on any substantial basis. The scen.
tific agriculturist will be able to sur
mount all obstacles and insure sue
cess.
Our most successful and most pros
porous farmers are those who have the
best understanding of their business.
Many of these men do not claim to be
educated men. They never received
while at school days instruction in
agriculture, but they have been close
students of the science since they be-
gan farming They are keen obser-
vers, they learn from experience, from
nature, aud from the operations OF 9th.
ers; they read the best agricultural pa
pers carefully, and study the best agri-
cultural books, they attend the agricul-
tural meetings and participate in the
discussions, or listen attcntively to what
others say. In all those ways they
have been educating themselves, and
by dint of close application, they have
supplied in part the lack of early in
struction in agriculture.
There is ample scope for the farmer
to use all the education that he can ac-
quire, and no one need abandon agri-
culture in order to seek employment
which will call forth all the powers of
the mind. In graphing with the many
questions which are inpressng upon
the attention of agriculturists, and de-
manding solution, the most ample and
vigorous intellect will find ample exer-
else. When the farmer enters upon
the practice of agriculture, however
thorough his preparatory education
has been, he just begun the educational
course of his life. As an active and
progressive agrculturist, he will be a
close student, and learn daily more and
more in regard to this, his life work.
The better the preparatory education
and training of the farmer, the better
will be his start in life, and in order to
give all fair start, it is highly essen
tial that the instruction given in
our common schools should be such as
will be to a large extent, of practical
value to the farmer. That a change
can be made in the course of study pur-
sued in the common schools, such as
will attain this object, can easily be
demonstrated. This is matter worthy
of the attention of farmers and all in
terested in education--H Reynolds,
NJ, d., IN NJ e. Farmer.