Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-13
Farmers Sens at College.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Many OF the young men now at college are
farmers sons; and this hiss always been so.
Many Of these young men in few years VIII
occupy the highest positions OF influence
aud usefulness In their various caIlings.
But ssppose farmers son is TO be himself
a farmer; is 1t advisable In that case that he
should 60 TO college " he has the oppor-
tunity? Wouldn't il be better for him to
have lust q commOn.school education aud.
instead OF spending from one to four years az
college, begin while yet youth to manage
the farm and make money out OF IL! Let Us
heck st this question moment.
l. What is education forY What is its OBJ
jectf Not simply 10 prepare man for some
occupation by which be may earn living or
make fortune. II is 10 develop The nun
TO give him knowledge, aud skill, and power
IL Is 10 make his intellect stronger and more
active, TO give him broader views OF things,
keencT Insight into the matters that come un-
der his observation, nobler and better pur-
poses in lie. Tbs Il what we need by col
lege education; aud we Resn 1t in the
country a. well rs Ia town. The man who
cultiyates the soil ought TO be no mans In
ferlOr in knowledge and character. But we
cannot get the best results from our fields
without giving them the best cultivation;
and neither can we make the most OF ourselves
without IT..
2. A farmer is not simply farmer. He IS
also q citizen and member OF soclety-a
man among his fellow-men. Should be not
be qualified 10 act his part well Ia the various
relations OF life? Should he not wish to
exert all possible good influence! And how
greatly will education add TO bis Influence.
IL win give him better ideas, aud enable him
=. bat r,~yffb Inn md ne
II will 1T him for leadership; it will make
blm power IN his community such as other-
wise he could not be.
3. IL will add veTv much TO bis resources
for personal enjoyment. What blessing to
anybody is some knowledge OF literature and
a taste fer good reading! And the farmer
has more leisure hours than many other men.
The long winter evenings, the stormy days,
the quiet Sundays at hOme-how SHALT be
spend tbemY II he has received good
education in early life he will probably find
the best OF company In bis books. So, ike
wise, when old age and infiTmities come on.
No man ought to be able to say with more
truth than the farmer IN his peaceful country
life, "My mind 10 me a kingdom is."
Some one who reads these few suggestions
may say: "But j am not able TO send the
boy to college," II this be true, 1t perhaps
settles tue question. DuL II you cah etnu
him, do 80. II you can, by some manage
meut and effort, give your son, who IS to
take bis place In q short time upon the farm,
the advantages Of this higher schooling, you
NAV indulge the hope that 1t will make him
none the less successful as a farmer (rather
more SOY, aud more intelligent, active
minded, and useful man. 1t will cost you
some money, but the investment may pay
hundred fold. II will be a good thing 10
take some Of the money which you had iu-
tended putting into your sons pocket aud
put it into his head.
We cannot believe that the minister OF the
Gospel, the lawyer, the teacher. the physi-
clan, are worthy OF the very best education
they can get, while very Ordinary one will
do for the farmer. We want TO see in our high
schools aud colleges farmers sons, who are
themselves 10 be farmers. Il.