The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-07-28

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suppose these excellent speeches
that rave been delivered here yester- |
day and today were put into the hands
of our school boys 10 read. Suppose
they knew the history OF such men as
Mr.. Dautridge, who are making from
s. 5000 to $4,000 a year? The mere
fact OF the intelligence required in
farming appeals irresistibly to every
man.
There IS a State Law that requires
these studies in rural schools. but |
cannot take your time BY discussing
them this morning. Here is a book b.
| Prof. Burkett, a farmer. Prof. Stevens.
a scientist. and Prof. Hill, an English
scholar. telling in a plain and simple
language about the soil. insects. ami
mails and plants, improved by culture
What we want to do is TO make every
boy. and girl, too. learn these things.
that they cannot learn for themselves,
and that have taken thousands OF years
for the most tremendous intellects of
all ages TO discover. The learning of
the minds OF the greatest intelligences
should be collated and discussed in
these schools. We want to give in
every school some insight into nature,
even if only one-fourth catch the in
spiration 70 lead them on to scientific
investigation and application. Then
will a great work have been done.
Zone word about the mental culture
he is entitled to, both linguistic and
scientific culture, and intellectual
training.
This field Of agricultural training is
greater than all others combined. One
half a century the world has looked
with open eyes at nature and discov-
cred the greatest fact that effected life
and civilization, those vital forces of
nature, 0 those distinguished by tele-
scope and microscope, but those that
appeal to the eye and mind out in the
country amid the fields. Those secret
forces working in harmony, and that
possess power for defying the eat Of
summer and overcoming the cold of
winter, throughout the ages contending
against all strong forces for existence.
The majestic heavens are no more
Wonderfully adjusted than are the
fields. To the farmer belongs the con
temptation of the solar system. OF
every 1900 persons in the city, there
is hardly one that can tell which phase
of the moon now is. In the country
the mind loves to reason concerning
those heavenly bodies.
"Ninetenths of the mon of prOfes
sions, of great lawyers, great doctors
poets. writer's, thinkers. vigorous bod
les, come from the farm. This is al
ready recognized, but this life con
duces to the highest mental qualities
and capacities of humanity. | am at
lacking no books or institutions.
plead for a higher thing, that our chill
dren's divine rights be recognized ano
given them.
when the angels sang that morning
hymn, Peace on earth. good will to
ward mem it was not suns in the city
: it was sung in the field. Not to thOS<
! men who work in shops, in the legisla
tive halls, or in the studio, but to tn
men with their focks and herds
watching the bright and morning star
and except for these shepherds TIL
other men would have known nothing
4 about it. It is the country that make.
! character and strength and life an
makes civilization. | plead for the ed
= ucation that makes for his power"
PROFESSOR STEVENS.
After President Winston had spoken d.
. r. l.. stevens lcctured on "A Study Of Ma
ture as an Aid to the Farmer Nj
Stevens first discussed the feasibility Q
the introduction of this subject He sal
4 that we all realize there are some thing
that cannot be taught that ought to b
n taught. The question IS, Is II advIsabl
O and feasible? One great thing needed
; interest, and we can arouse interest o
= this subject. Looking upon agricultur
from the standpoint Of a teacher, the ques
e ton would be, Are my pupils Interested !
i agriculture? There is no subject in til
curriculum that appeals to the studen
more than does agriculture. 1t IS nature
: and no child ever studies nature that IS no
l, afterwards interested IN agriculture. 5
L we have the prima factor of education |
i, this subject. Such stories of animals
!, plants. insects and birds never fail to e
y the interest of a child. Do not bring IN
! question of dollars and cents to the s.
= OF seven years old child, but teach hli
= mature. and wait until ne i sixteen a.
l. seventeen, and then give him practice
e. studies that introduce those subject
. Tell the children what kinds of stalks an
n ears the largest kind OF yield, and den
= ~onstrate practically in the schoolroon
- Don't teach exclusively from books, bl
;, use natural objects. l would have tt
n children taken out into the broad ope
a. fields and teach them the diseases Of II
+ many plants, how to bud and graft. The
+, is a large per cent Of farmers IN Mott
Carolina that can neither bud nor graf
y Teach these things to the children, an
. when they become men they Will stay G
4, the farm, and many will stay from lntere
1T INSPIRED by a knowledge OF nature, II
from the profits they viii gam.
" The next question IS the ability Of t
teacher 10 teach it. l think every teac
: er in this human school Will go hon
q and apply It. They have received lnstru
ton as it appealed to them, and they "
i impart it to others. ] once lecturet
le an audience Of farmers who we're lnteres
20 ed IN the money returns. Nhen j li