Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1883-04-12

the classics, apdul.latayer elsa-s.akes 5
mp greoH bay AIs
dents and y grea' M INF tbov win
never Hood the country with cultured
farmers. Alack the day. when our co.
! lege introduces even the mechanic arts.
farther than is necessary to make skill
ful farmers. The makers of steam er-
giues end the holder, Of tie piow. viii
not, We believe, iraternze. 1he neat
polish of the turning lathe can but
work discomfort i'm the minds of the
youth fresh from the ditch or the com
post, in the susceptible period before
mature Judgment guides the mind to
more just conclusions. Tradition. the
press, in fact the very atmosphere of
our time makes it imperative that we
keep our eve single to agriculture and
its interests would we maintain our
prestige. Hence a separate institution
was wisely created. Equal wisdom has
kept other industries than those relat-
ing to agriculture away. Wise coun-
ellis will be slow to vary the conduct Of
affairs in this respect in the future
The second, and equally weighty
reason that we show such a favorable
record, comes from our labor system.
Three hours OF actual manual labor so
directed as to be productive, keeps tie
student in sympathy with labor, so that
going on TO farm ut the close OF his
school life, is not like sprin2ing from n
! precipice. Withhold all manual labor
! during the years of student life, and
there is developed Il habit of mind no
less than muscle, which makes farm
life diStasteful, and generally in the
very few cases where it is adopted un-
successful. Book farmers are often
worthy OF the ridicule they receive.
through no fault OF tnsusap Ks, howcy-
er. Our college has lullr demonstrate
ed that while this manual labor is no
obstacle, but the rather Il help to the
best mental effort and progress, it
builds up such habits of thought.
taste and physical activity as fnpel
towards the farm, rather than drive
from it.
That the graduates, especially the
Older ones. appreciate this fact is seen
in the vehement attack which they
made upon the idea of change Of
tim" in.vacations, at the last alumni
meeting ms endangering this most vital
feature of our college Every true
friend of our college, student, gradu-
ate, or officer, recognizes the transcend
ent importance of This characteristic of
our institution, and il thoughtful will
do all in his power TO promote its we'll
being.
In the early years of the college with
its few students, the managing of the
labor was comparatively simple and
easy. With our greatly increased mum
bers, this il no longer true 70 secure
the greatest success two things are inn
perative: FiIst, more time and pains
TO instruct each student in every mau-
ual operation of the farm and garden
each student should be shown person
ally jus how TO handle a plow, TO ma
niPuIate hce and 90 sNying. ~ AK. 10
less than to lay tile, TO plan buildings,
and to feed and breed thoroughbred
stock Secondly. there should be am
pie supervision SO that the professors
should have time to thoroughly ac
complish Che above work. as the first
depends ON the second. This matter
of competent supervisi9& is one of
paramount importance. &N.we under
stand, Professors Johnson and Satter-
lee are united in IA plan which proms.
ej such relief that hereafter the in |
struction can be given. Ii is this: For |
the first three years of the course the |
students are To understand that faith
ful service, studious attention TO in
struc ions in manipulation, and apt
ness and skill in their WORK will secure |
the position of foreman when they |
reach their senior year. with extra re-
muneration. Thus the added super |
vision will be at hand, which of itself |
will be valuable discipline for the stu
dents. The honor and extra reconpense
will be a constant incentive to the best |
effort all through the course. The re-.
lief given to the professors in charge OF
the work will permit the desirable in
struction i'm all the various manipula-
tions of the garden and farm. As
fewer foremen will have TO be employ
ed there will be fun ds at command TO
pay the extra amount for the super
vision, which would need TO be but
small amount. Surely, il this scheme
can be realized il will be another tri-
umph for our labor system.
One other feature is just adopted. --
There is to be no excuse from work ex
cept such as wo1ld excuse from class
And when the work in insufficient, all
are to be excused n part of the time.
and no one all the time. This, too. is
greatly 10 be commended. College
Speculun.