The record-union., 1892-06-23
TRAINING SCHOOLS.
Answer to what Shall We Do
With Our Boys?"


Train Toward the Tarm-Its En-
dowgnent, Character and Needs
Probable Effect Upon the Prosper
ity of the state,
With half her population dwelling in
cities, millions OF her acres capable Of
highest production, now comparatively
hrren. and people josiling and compe-
ting in the marts OF trade until we can
easily forasee the survival Of only a few
q the fittest, it is plainly a consumma-
ton to be sought that part OF our peo-
Die should be attracted to the ranks Of
producers. Among those accustomed to
cisy life we have seen disposition that
would lead many to starve in the city
rather than thrive in the country.
OF the sixty thousand young people Of
cur metropolis, between the ages of 10
and q, we may safely estimate that one
third are not likely to find profitable and
congenial work in the city, and are not
being educated in a way TO make life a
success. a visit TO our penal institutions
will convince one that we are graduating
ali TOO many from the high school of
jdleuess 10 the universities OF San Quen-
tin and Folsom. Any institution which
can train a part OF this industrial over
TOW from the city to such standard of
skill as can make country life successful
and therefore attractive, deserves the
study oI statesmen and the bounty of
philanthropists. We may justly claim a
very high place in education Tor the sys-
TEN that makes the individual most ca
pable of adding 10 human happiness.
10 that end we would combine the skill
ful hand, the thoughtful mind and the
loving motive.
REFokMAToRY INSTITUTIONS SUCCESS
FULLY ESTABLISHED.
For our bad boys and girls we have So
cieties that take young offenders, give
them a short course in civilization and
ind homes Tor them in country families
Other institutions aim to take young con-
VictS from the Sums and train them
amid the surroundings of gentlemen.
The State aids Sectarian institutions in
the care of nearly five thousand aban-
uoned and orphaned children. The
problem remains, How shall we make
productive factors in the economy OF the
State OF the worthy young people of mod
crate circumstances? In other words,
the old, old question, What shall GOe do
q0lth OuT bOgSy''
designed to admit pupils of good habits
and common school training, whose par
entS can afford no expensive education
and graduate them with the skill and
requirements necessary for successful
farmers and useful citizens.
LAND CAPABLE OF HIGH DEVELOPMENT
n WISE INVESTMENT OF ENDOWMENT.
As an institution of this kind is some
what OF an experiment, and such condi-
TionL n --icF flsat 1nt,l ,.oY IT rnl
likely to advance largely in value it
might be well To place the capital of the
institution principally III land to be inn
proved by lis own products and the labor
OF the students. 1t would be an advant-
age TO control a tract large enough TO keep
Objectionable enterprises at 4 distance. as
Well as TO have safe investment that
could be made largely profitable while
furnishing the employment for iustruc-
ton, and income for support of the stu
dents. AS the location OF such an insti-
very strong tendency TO advance values
tuition would have, i'll certain sections, a
OF adjacent holdings, large owners might
be expected TO compete, as they would
Tor a railroad or a factory. Thus, prop
erty might be bought cheaper than an
individual could purchase the same
tract.
10 make instruction and revenue prac-
Teal Tor a wide range of farm speciaities
view, and transportation facilities, as well
as soil ana climate, would help TO deter
mine the choice. Developments in the
direction of orchards, vineyards, nursery
garden and dairy could be commenced
near the few and plain buildings needed
TO accommodate the limited number OF
students and employees with which the
enterprise should begin. The balance
could be devoted TO stock and grain,
gradually bringing more land under ex-
tensive cultivation and high improve
ment as means and number of students
warranted.
When home improvements had reached
the demands of the school, operations
could begin looking to the development
OF small home farms around the outside
of the tract with view to renting them
to graduates.
PROBABLE CAREERS OF STUDENTS.
The school would be called upon for
1oremeu, teachers and superintendent.
Some would go back to the old home.
Many would drop out as they do III all
schools. Some would start business on
their own account, but others would
make good tenants for the outside school
farms until they had accumulated the
capital Warranting them in starting on
their own account.
PRUDENT BEGINNING SUGGESTED
AS all educational institutions are
largely the growth of time, even one
destined to act part in supplying so
great a want as this might start on a
comparatively modest scale. In the pio-
neer work of erecting buildings and
fences and bringing the land into culti-
walton the most that the BOYS could
do would be to help the skilled laborers
who must do the main part of the work
While neither entirely emitting study,
work or recreation ut any time let work
occupy the main part Of the busiest sea-
son on the farm and study most of the
time when work does not crowd For
instance, it might average through the
year five hours Tor study and recitation.
as many more for work, and two hours
for recreation.
PROPER ASSIGNMENT OF WORK AND
STUDY.
For the first year studies might be of
about high-schOol grade, but selected as
the foundation OF an education thorougil5y
practical. During the first four years let
the work be arranged To give a general
knowledge OF farm labor. and the studies
In the direction OF sciences, of general ap-
plIcation ana rules OF business. PerhaDs
the last two might well be devoted TO
some chosen specially. The course might
be arranged something after the plan of
certain universities where the student
chooses the head of some department as
his intellectual adviser. six years
course Is suggested, With the idea that
students shall be admitted sooner than at
the ordinary college; that enough time be
allowed for work TO permit the pupil to
earn most of his expenses, and while dis
pensing with the classics and substituting
sciences and n business education he
shall receive substantially the eduiva-
lent, and, for his purposes. far better