The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-11-15
Editorial NOtings.

Editorial NOtings.
THE Youths Companion, referring to
the state agricultural colleges estab-
lished under the Morrill, act, says: " In
several of the schools agricultural ed
ucation is not secondary and incl
dental thing, but the chief purpose and
occupation of the institution. Both
the theory and practice of agriculture
are tauA Int in them" Where will you
and anything more dry than that2
ARE the comm IN schools good
enous b for our girls and boys of the
farm? Is there any sufficient reason
why they should not be made better2
1t is a subject worth discussion none
more so. Won't some of our readers
stake up the pen," and say what they
think ought to be done to make them
better, if they need bettering9 We
have not had a communication on the
subj ct for a long time, although we
frequently refer to it,-perhaps too fire.
quently, in the opinion of some. If 80,
we would like to be tod of it. We are
not sensitive. Tell us where we make
mistakes, and we won't resent it. On
the contrary, we shall be gratified. We
cannot bear to think that The people of
New England are any Of them so fallen
away from New England principles as
TO be Indifferent in this matter do,
someb body, do something" as the old
maid said at the kissing party.
To start the thing along, we will here
give a list of reasons put forth by a
writer in the always excellent Stockmon
and Farmer, why farmers boys should
be educated: "O Because from the
farm is recruited much of the stuff for
great men. (2) Becaus in after years
he will never regret having a good ed
NC alton. (3) Because educated farmers,
as a rule, make our best C iizens. (D
Because it broadens him intellectually,
and enables him TO think better. (5)
Because little of agricultural Ii erature
is readily understood by those deficient
in their education. CO. Because if he
has agricultural tastes it will make him
happier farmer; ii other, it will help
him into the right channel. G) Be-
cause ones college days always afford
memories upon which person delights
to dwell, aud the ties of association are
lasting. (S) Because the farmer has
more or less isolation, and the time
spent at distant institution of higher
learning affords an excellent opportu-
nifty to get an Insight into other peo-
ple's ways and thoughts. (O Because
he will observe better, and utilize his
observations and experience to greater
advantage for bling educated. QO)
b cause at the outset he should be bet
ter equipped for the work of life than
is the ordinary day-laborer. QD Be-
cause there is crying demand for edu-
Gated farmers, especially for the pur-
pose of breaking up the ruts which
prevail in nearly every agricultural
community. Q2) BIC iuse there is a
monetary value in education. Real
estate commands better price in a
community where people are intelligent
and educated than where they are
ignorant. Q3) Because if farmers are
better educ d, the unreasonable preiu-
dice which sometimes exists against
them will be allayed. OD Because it
is desirable TO have retired business
men move to the country and bring
their capital with them. 1t will increase
the tax list This will not be brought
about unless country society is con-
genial and refined in some degree. Q5)
And because farmers need leaders in
thought and action from their own
ranks" The most of these are very
good and self-evi lent, but he might
have added that farmer has more
need and can m IKE better use of a
broad, genial education than any other
man. And because there is no reason
why the farmers boys should not have
as good opportunities as others says
the Maine Farmer.
A WRITER in Rural Life 1--WE think
says: l have had under my notice the
farmer boys of my locality, and know
how they have succeeded, and perhaps
can give some light on the question of
hard work and chances for profit.