The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-04-18
WHY BOYS QUIT
THE FARM.
1t is Because They Do Not
Know What Farming Is.
ONLY SEE THE DRUDGERY
1t Would Be Very Much Better to Make
Them Acquainted With the Scien-
tific and Economic Side of
Agriculture.
ONLY SEE THE DRUDGERY

observance, and it is not necessary to enter
into details regarding the work to he done
on such occasions, as pupils are now famil-
lar with such, hut Arhor day in the future
will hc looked upon as the beginning OF a
new era IN the instruction of the younger
members OF the farming communities. 1t
is the entering wedge which will widen the
opening for knowledge and will eventually
pertaining to agriculture. 1t is possible
that before IA decade passes additional
studies in the country schools will embrace
that which will he of vital Importance to
the younger generation. If Arbor day is to
inculcate in the youthful mind the import
ance Of ornamentiDg the school grounds
with trees and shrubbery, as well as to
plant trees along the roads, and even at thp
homes there is no reason why they should
not be taught during school hours many
things that will enable them to better
understand the conditions in which they
are placed and which will enable them to
leave the schools better prepared for fulfill
ing their duties in life.
THE FOUNDATION OF BETTER FARMING.
| At many of the higher colleges the stu
portion Of their time to shop work. in
order to derive practical as well as theoret-
| ical knowledge to fit them more thoroughly
for the pursuits they intend to follow. The
farmer is familiar with the practical work
on the farm, but rather deficient in theory
and the science Of farming. The expert
ment stations have done excellent service
in impartng knowledge, but it is difficult
for farmers to understand as fully as they
should those things which require study in
order to comprehend them The chemistry
necessary to understand the uses of ferti-
lizers is not difficult to learn, but there are
ouly a few farmers in community who
will begin late in life to devote a portion
OF their time 10 study. 1t must be the
farmers son who should he taught, and he
will become sufficiently interested to follow
his studies aud advance himself later on.
Once let him know that there is science
| in fal ming, and he will not be content to
ialter if he expects to become proficient in
his occupation. Instruction OF the chill
dren must be the foundation of succ, sSful
farming in the future.
NO DIFFICULTIES TO MEET.
There are no difficulties to encounter in
giving instruction on chemistry, botany
and entomology. One hour each day, or
day in the week, during which times
classes might be taught on subjects per
tanning to agriculture, would take but
little from other studies, and the instruc-
ton impaired would be most valuable.
Books intended for schools, written in
plain and easily-undei stood language, in
which pupils are to be instructed in the
composition of soils, plant growth, plant
destructive insects, etc, have already been
prepared, and when once some enterprising
Board of Education introduces the studies
IN the schools others will follow. How
many farmers know how to buy fertilizers
to advantage or how to feed their crops for
the best results; and, it may be added, how
many of them are capable of selecting
breeds? Ii is safe to assert that those who
know anything outside of the manual
labor required are in the minority. If
Arhor day is to he observed for purposes of
instruction it is an admission that the
schools can he made places of instruction
for something more, and the value to the
whole country at large by beginning the
instruction of agriculture among the chill
dren, cannot he estimated
WHAT Is BEING DONE
In Denmark daiIying is taught as a
special study, and it has placed that coun.
try first among the nations of the world in
dairving In this country the agricultural
colleges lave short COURSES in agriculture,
and the attendance is large. thus demon.
strating that the SONS of farmers are willing
! ~ III piONt 'uNu 'pppi uhh'tINs' !! iHtSt
students could enter such colleges nth the
advantage Of instruction in the first rudi.
ments taught in the village schools it would
save valuable time and labor. One of the
causes of farmers sons leaving the farm is
because they really know so little of farm-
ing 1t is to them the life of COMMON
laborers. Open to them thr fact, when
they are young that farming is Il science,
that the true knowledge of farming has
not gone below the surface, and that by
/ intelligent farming they have better oppor-
| tnrits and they will become interested in
| the .,nr I"cause they can look ahead and
see 50 uething To strivs for in the future.
! If education is decided upon it must begin
with the young, for ''as The tvig is bent
the tree inclnes," and the subject is one
well worthy OF consideration by all inter
| ested.
no From uSJowna' o. he''ctrs