Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-10-18

Corroopondonco On proc0(4 AErtcuieurol top1eo
tended for this department 20 HENly ID. HAn-
noxp. Agricultural Editor oxford psnocrsa,
Parts. Ne.
OXFORD POMONA.
Oxford County Pomona Grange met
with Bear Mountain Grange, South
Waterford. for the October meeting.
Nearly all Of the officers were present.
The grange hall Is one Of the largest and
best In the county.
The subordinate granges were well
were given the fifth degree. The pro-
grsmme Was interesting and Instructive.
W. h. Hamlin, manager OF the South
Waterford, creamery, read paper on
"How to reduce the cost OF producing
butter"
5. NJ. King, the noted Jersey breeder
OF kingleside Farm. read paper which
Is given below.
The address Of welcome given by
Sister Miranda Billings, was cordially
carried out by all the members Of South
Waterford Grange, which IL one OF the
active oranges OF Oxford County.
.NSAt mtCttuk WIN SiVOAcN hivSt
Grange, Bolster's Mills, Nov. lst.
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION: WHAT Is
IT!
Paper real by ). ~. King at the October
meeting OF oxford County Pomona Grange at
Let US frst get at the proper dehni-
ton OF education and agriculture, so
that we may build upon . cure founds-
tion.
Education comprehends all that series
Of instruction and discipline that Is In
tended to enlighten the understanding,
form our manners and habits and fit for
usefulness In our future stations.
Agriculture is defined TO be the cul-
Of the ground for the purpose Of
producing vegeta bles and fruits for the
use Of man ard besst, the art Of pre-
pairing the soil, sowing and planting
seeds, dressing the plants and removing
the crops. The word agriculture IL
formed from the words acre and culture.
An acre originally meant an open plow-
ed or titled field, until limited to a
definite measurement Of land by English
law. Culture is any labor or means en-
ployed for Improvement or growth OF
the soil or mind. Husbsndry Il also
with agriculture. This Is
defined rs comprehending the tillsge OF
the ground, the raising, managing and
Of cattle and other domestic
the management Of the dairy
and whxteyer the land produces.
This defnition Is the trunk Of the
grsndest growth In all Christendom, and
human life Is too short to expect TO be
fully educated 10 all the process Of the
growth Of Its innumersble roots and
branches, rootlets and leaves. Every
effort made along the immutable lines
at creation Is blessed TO the
good Of the human race. The edict
went forth that by the sweat of our brow
should we eat bread, but right along
with this and perfectly consistent with
IL Is the practical demonstration Of the
old true proverb that Calculation Is
better than hard work"
ANY Instruction, any method OF
thought, any process OF calculation, any
mech anical ideas that help To give u
practical demonstration OF this old prov
erb 10 my mind, are true agricultural
education. We may not all be college
but the foundation OF all
Il within the reach Of all who
" III avail themselves Of their opportuni-
ties for learning. knowledge without
practice Is the poorest kind Of education,
but the faculty TO make practical ~hat
YOU do know leads To continual broad
ening and enlargement of agricultural
education.
While IL is not given to human intel
ligence TO know sll the chemical process
es Of plant and animal growth or OF
milk secretion, there Is really no excuse
for ignorance that makes q man incom-
petent 10 compose fairly well balanced
ration for the snimsls under his charge,
or to Judge what msnures and phos-
phstes will give the best practical
results.
Protein and carbohy drstes in feed
aud ammonia and phos-
phoric acid in msnurial compositions
with their accompanying constituents,
should be as well known In agricultural
~ in common school geog-
rsphy, mathematics, grammar and histo-
~ are. The best educate d professional
ms Is the one who has the best practical
knowledge Of the principles his profess
sion calls for.
The day IL past when the man whose
upper story Is so poorly furnished that
he Is not good for any thing else shall be
made farmer. Agriculture to-day Is as
truly profession as any other. A larger
range Of practical knowledge is required
than in other professions. He must
the science OF chemistry
enough TO know the practical effect OF
heat and cold, moisture and dryness. so
AZ 10 know what his land Is best adapted
10. Frosty land may be good for hay
but not for corn. Wet land may be
good for hay snd top dressing. and be
utterly spoiled in trying TO work for
crops. Light land may be good for
crops where hay will be failure.
To be we'll educated the sgricuiturist
must be something Of q mechanic; able
10 make y large range Of repairs on
tools, carriages and buildings. He must
also have education as q maehinist, TO
take proper care OF the many labor
saving machines now Ia use.
Education in the care Of lawns, shade
trees and doorysrd fences, would change
many homes so you would scarcely rec
ognize them.
A certain amount of civil engineering
Is necessary in the proper plowing OF
our fields and in the proper draining OF
lands that need drainage. IL he has
fruit trees they should be trimmed
and the best symmetry
will give the best utility.
He should have a practical knowledge
Of the borer, the apple maggot, the
apple scab, the curculio, the black knot,
pear blight, and the everlasting cater
pillar.
He should understand the science OF
medicine and the nature OF limited
range of drugs, so as to be able to care
for his stock In ordinary cases OF sick
ness.
But enough Of this. The field is too
broad 10 psrticularize what an agricult-
ursl education is. A proper education
would certainly disprove the old provero,
"Jsck-st-all-trsdes and good for moth
ing and make q new one reading
Jack Of all trades and master OF ALL.
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