The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-01-02

If some branch of study is especially
adapted to certain class Of pupils they
should not be debaired from pursuing it
because it is not interesting to certain
other pupils.
Majority Must Rule.
Moreover, these matters are generally
decided by majorities, and it may be
justly claimed that, not only in the rural
schools but in the schools of our numer-
GUS villages, a large majority of the pu-
pills are more or less directly connected
with rural life and agricultural pursuits.
The narrow view taken by directors
has generally sprung from a misunder-
standing of the subject matter intended
to be covered by the new departure.
There has been failure to distinguish
between the art and the science: between
farming and agriculture; between the
common practices of country life and the
world of thought which pervades the
whole.
At this point the advocates of a more
practical education, the advocates of
more natural science, and the advocates
OF agricultural education meet.
The Term Agriculture
IN an educational sense, is a very general
term. 1t involves an understanding of
nature, both inanimate and animate.
Whatever narrow meaning may be popu-
larly attached to the word, the field
which it covers is broad, whether con-
sidered from the material or intellectual
side.
The language of the legislation of
last winter covering this matter is, "The
elements of the natural sciences, espe-
cially as applied to agriculture" This
simply means our teaching of the natu-
raj sciences should be turned in a practi-
cal direction, and that we should use for
illustrations and examples familiar mat
ters connected with the common things
of life.
This subject might have received diff
ferent title, or simply "The Elements of
Natural Science" but as the matter
sprang from the agricultural side, it has
naturally received an agricultural name.
What does it matter? Who is so es-
tranged from our mother earth by an ar
tificial life as to give one sympathetic re-
spouse to things natural, or rural, or ag-
ricultural? The world is agricultural in
nature and instinct.
4 One question alone remains to be con-
sidered, whether the subject can be
practically taught in the schools Are
our teachers competent to manage il?
Is there room for it in the course of
studies?
This branch of study, for the highest
success, requires some oral instruction;
oral instruction requires original effort
and original effort is the one thing above
all others, which a certain class of
teachers would seek to avoid.
1t is to be regretted that our low
standard of public instruction still adj
nlits of so many teachers of this class
BY such teachers this subject cannot be
efficiently taught. Neither can arithmetic
or grammar.
To the True Teacher.
who loves knowledge and takes pleasure
in imparting it, studies in natural science
are always easy and interesting.
If there is no room for this branch, let
us make room at once. Apply to the
course of study process OF practical
sitting; throw out all that is remote, in
direct and of questionable utility and
plenty of room will be found Instead
OF giving your pupils amipute knowledge
OF the geography of the other side of the
earth which they will never seea instead
of racking their brains with math0matic
problems quite beyond their power to
comprehend, and The subtle distinctions
and relations of grammar and rhetoric
which belong alone to flights of poetic
Imagination which they may never
reach, bring them back to things COM
mon, and real, and practical
multiplicity of different studies may
not be Objectionable. It's better to learn
a little of a variety of subjects, if that
little can be well understood, than to
strive to push the knowledge of single
subject to completion, even beyond the
power to comprehend.
That education is natural, which de-
velops the mind gradually in all direc-
tions, which gives little distinct knowl-
edge of all the subjects to which our life
is directly related; and step by step, ac-
cording to the natural increase of capaci-
ty. 1t is not necessary that any single
term of school schould be crowded with
many studies. There is real benefit in
variety and change.
Shall the teachers of Maine encour-
age the study of the science of agricul-
ture?n
BY All Means DO So.
Do so with conscientious zeal. Add
something to the list of studies which
will give your pupils an insight into the
lessons of creation; thus teaching them
to look through nature up to natures
God"
Mr.. B. Walker McKeen of West Frye
burg, president of the State Board of
Agriculture, commended Mr.. Winslow's
paper highly. The elevation of the pro-
ducing class in state was, in Mr.. Nc
Keen's opinion, of the highest social and
political Importance. He belived that in
no way could the farmers ideas be
elevated and broadened better than by an
acquaintance with the secrets of his pro-
fession. The love for the 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 room for the study
of these branches. There are 1896 schools
in Mainn of which 1000 orc dad r.,