The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-11-12
AGRICULTURAL.
:. H. HosKINs, Newport, VI, Editor.
Vermont Merits Honor.

Under the above title lady who is
now an invalid, but who has been
successful teacher and still preserves an
interest in all pertaining to the subject
of education, sends us the following
communication every one in Yer
mont has taken q noble interest in our
common schools. These have attained
a high degree of efficiency. A few
years ago algebra and the national
arithmetic were wisely banished; and
bookkeeping, physiology and civil gov
eminent have sensibly taken their
places. The common school course is
now simple and essential. We lately
saw an article from the agricultural
editor of THE WATERMAN, asking
how we shall promote agricultural
education The question is timely.
Vermont will be always an agricultural
state. 1t is as necessary that the COM
mon school scholar understand the ma
ture and properties of soils as that he
should know the different rivers and
principal places of the world in geogra-
ply. Indeed, we all believe that it is
in more of demand. Such a study
awakens more enthusiasm than other
studies. 1t is also recreation. | have
seen fifteen minutes of time devoted to
specimens of plants and rocks bring
more practical instruction to the learner
than hours of previous study. No one
of us wish the children to 90 through
the world with their eyes blind to the
laws and uses of the world of nature
and substance around them. Their
minds are eager to learn the reasons
why. Their observations are acute.
Shall we not commence at once to
answer their questions? We wish them
to know whether the sap of trees runs
down or upward in autumn and why.
Some students who have obtained a
smattering of Greek and of German can
not answer such simple questions in
nature. Our people are noted for their
common sense. Our common school
textbooks at the present time are prac-
teal and useful, founded on common
sense. We wish to educate the present
generation of Vermont in the common
sense of nature. Such study will be
more delightful and easy, and as useful
also, as the study of grammar A little
manual of condensed fundamentals of
the principles of botany, chemistry and
geology would give that true zest for
knowledge which will continue while
life lasts: and the scholar will read and
become aceU educated though he may be
never privileged to enter collegiate
halls. Such book would be also the
proper basis for good scientific start,
that would be doubly appreciated by
the student pursuing seminary course
Our people have thought about this
matter in earnest-in Orleans county,
c. II. Human, M. D., E. O. Bennett,
Judge Austin and many others, includ-
ing Judge Fletcher and w. r. Bartlett,
Esq. No doubt Mr.. Camp would lend
helping hand, and we could get the
work published and introduced into
this county. DR.. Hosl1ins would be
competent to arrange and successfully
prepare it for the press. But we wish
the whole state to be blessed with such
a desired requisite. Mr.. Fairbanks of
Caledonia county is ever interested in
anything that will bring the greatest
good to the greatest number. Judge
Hobson of Essex county is ever genially
looking out for the children. Are not
the members of the present legislature
sufficiently in earnest for the education
of the public to pass the bill for the
publication of the volume? 1t would
complete the structure of the glory OF
our Green Mountain state-the common
school, Would not such useful book
be grand and beautiful memorial OF
the legislature of 1884? The substance
of such valuable knowledge would re-
main in the common school of Vermont
as long as nature exists. Every home
circle would be interested in it, and
future generations refer to it as the
stepping stone of their practical scien
tific education, and with thanks to this
legislature. N. l.. DUNToN."
Maine Agricultural Report.
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