Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-01-04
Study Of Agriculture in the schools.

1t evinces broadening Of the teachers
vision when the leading educational
association OF the State admits into it:
| programme discussion relative to the
| Introduction OF the study Of agriculture
| In the common schools; and while we
have never been able to see why agriCul
tGre should be taught any more than
tailoring or horse-shoeing, there are
| many good reasons why those science:
which have close relations to the bust
ness of agriculture should be given pre-
ference over some studies now taught
provided always that our already over
loaded common schoo' curriculum Is to
be still more extended. The di custom
Of this subject at the Pedagogical Asso'
citation ST Portland on Friday, brought
out considerable interest. The essay by
Pref, /. o. Winalow strongly advocated
the introduction Of the natural sciences
in the district schools From an agri
cultural standpoint Prof. Winslow says
there has arisen demand for
some knowledge OF natural science
such as has particular reference
to scientific agriculture. 1t is sail
the district school educates our
children away from the farm IL there
is one branch of study bearing directly
upon the daily life and occupation OF
the Child in the rural districts, by all
means let them have it. The idea of add
ing this branch was first advanced for the
special advantage OF the country schools
The matters intended to be covered by
what is called the agricultural studies
are scientific and general and the field it
covers Is broad one. IL embraces the
elements of natural science especially
having reference to agriculture. The
teacher should encourage this study by
all means
MrsB Walker Mckcen, president of
the Board of Agriculture, followed
in this discussion, making a scholarly
and able argument in behalf OF
the teaching of the natural sciences
in their particular relations TO agricul-
ture in our rural schools The eleva
ton of the producing class in a state
was, in Mr. McKeens opinion, of the
highest social and political importance.
He be lleved that in no way could the
farmers ideas be elevated and broad
ened better thsn by an acquain
lance with the secrets OF his pro
fession The love for tine home farms OF
the state should be preserved The
studies of chemistry, geology and botany
should be taught in the common schools.
He believed there was a place for the
study of these branches. There are 4>iJ
schools in Maine, OF which 1909 are IN
graded. In 1918 Of the ungraded
schools there are taught studies other
than those specified in the statutes. -
such studies as the languages, music.
drawing, etc. II there was room for
these studies there might also be for
the study of the science of agriculture.
10 24lG of the ungraded schools history
is taught, In 24aG physiology. and in
1912 bookkeeping. Agriculture, or in
other words the sciences relating to the
work OF the farm, should form part of
the school studies.
In continuing the discussion of this
subject Prof. Jordan Of the State
Experiment Station said he believed thst
the farmer had right to complain of
the everlasting technique taught his
children on subjects not even remotely
connected with the farmers profession
The farmers children should have a
training which would give them funda-
mental knowledge of scientific facts.
1t wss difficult to understand why a
physical fact pertaining to flower
or the soil was less essential
than fact pertaining TO physi-
ology. The ignorance of people about
facts relating 20 natural science was ap-
palling, and such as to enable them to
be humbugged and imposed upon in
many ways. People know little even
about the constitution and relative values
o; articles Of food.