Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-15

1t will be noted that while probably 20
per cent of the children of school age are
not enrolled in the public schools, but
from 63 to is per cent of those enrolled
are constant attendants upon school
Our revenue for common school pur-
poses for the year lSS5-6 was So 80 20
1t Is not this large sum of money annual
ly devoted to this object that gives 1t its
chief Importance. Our great concern is
or should be to see that it Is well expend
ed and for the best good of all our youth.
That such is not the case now all statistics
clearly demonstrate and all men admit,
There Is every natural reason why the
standard common school education among
the young Of this State should be far
above that of most of our sister states of
ness of our people invites it. The annual
expenditure warrants 1t. 1t is the birth
right OF every Child to share evenly with
his fellows in this outlay.
The public is pledged to the care of the
morals and the mind of every child alike
at its birth There is no law which the
general law executes so inequitably and
inadequately as that relating to the edu-
cation of the young
The law of the last general assembly
submitting the question of the adoption
of the town system of schools to a vote of
the people at the annual town meetings in
1885 and lSS6 was acted on by most of the
towns while several did not vote upon it,
sixteen towns only voted to adopt the
town system ; all others which voted on
the question voted against it seventeen
towns had previously adopted the same
ana the town OF Norton organized with it ,
so that we have "a towns in the State, in
which this system is in operation. The
general inaction of the voters Of the State
upon this vital school question refers it
back To the representative wisdom Of the
General Assembly, The proportion of the
Vft u N 1ntt Il
ton stands related to their vote for COVER
nor very closely rs to 3. That some
thlng should be accomplished at this SEES
son TO improve our methods in the be-
stoWal or these moneys and in the more
equaple diffusion of education among our
children through the schools seems al
most necessity. What it should be your
wisdom will rightly determine.
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The work of this board has been de
voted mainly to the holding OF institutes
throughout the counties of the State in
connection with the various Industrial
dalrymen's and other agricultural asso-
clatlons, and in lecturing upon and dis
cusslng with the practical farmers OF the
state, all subjects of agricultural interest.
These meetings have grown IN interest
from year to year. In the winter of 1856
"a meetings were held,-generally of two
days each. Over 900 addresses have been
given and much general discussion has
followed. Professor Cooke of the State
Agricultural College, joining the Board
at the expense of the College to lecture
upon fertllzers and agricultural chemis-
try has been of great service to this in
terest, 1t has been my privilege to attend
a lew or these meetings and have been
impressed with the zeal practical learn
ing ana advanced views of the gentlemen
or the board upon the specialties assigned
theh lor discussion, as well as with the
interest enkindled by their presence
among the many farmers who join them
IN Their valuable work. 4 larger edition
OF the report of the Board should be pro
vlded Tor and more general distribution
had. The questions treated of in this re-
port having special reference to the pro
ducts ana soils of our latitude and lOngi-
tude, their discussion here gives the re.
ports local value not to be found in gen
eral treatises on kindred subjects The
law relating To the analyses of fertilizers
OF the provisions for defraying the eX.
pense OF the same is inadequate to the end
sought to be attained The results of
analyses do not get to the knowledge OF
the farmers or the State in season for their
spring purchase of fertilizers. This delay
has been the cause of much complaint.
Inc sums appropriated to defray the eX-
pense OF these analyses should be reason
able and the constituent parts and per-
centages of each should be officially an
nounced through the press by day fixed
by law before the approach of spring
Cognate to this subject | call your at
tention to the law relating to the infec-
tlous diseases of cattle In the winter of
lSS4-5 destructive cattle disease broke
out In a herd i'll Cambridge, carrying off
dozen or more of the herd in few days
! was applied to by the local authorities
10 appoint and send thither at once
board OF Cattle Commissioners in the in
terest of the public safety. Satisfied that