The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-08-19
FARMER AND PLANTER.
THE FARMER AND EDUCATION
The Grent Hook of Nature In Ever
Open and Waterfall For strudy
Always mt Hand.

relative station or the FARMER, Ieeoie
ard undignified as it may be regarded
in reference to the subject OF mental
is one, nevertheless. which
is attended with opportunities OF In
telleetual effort and of high moral cul-
ture accorded TO but few classes OF
men in the same degree. The position
we assume is that the farmer is des-
tined to become a man of cultivated
tastes and habits-of highly'improved
moral sense ard discernment. And
when this shall be the case, the stand
ARD of Improvement and excellency
with him will greatly exceed that or all
other classes of society around him.
One of the great defects Of our best
modes of teaching, at present, is that
they are not sufficiently plain and prac-
teal, especially with all scholars up
to, and including the high school. Our
youth are placed In schools that they |
may make themselves familiar with the
sciences-which is but another name
for everyday occurrences around them,
but in reality they have no more as
sistance than the naked book affords
them in which their lessons are print
ed. There is no opportunity OF examin-
ing into the rudiments of things. There
is no provision for practical illustra-
ton. They are left entirely ignorant
Of the connection between cause and
effect. and their whole vocabulary OF
knowledge consists of an acquaintance
20 f-
than with the causes and consequences
with which these facts and incidents
are intimately combined. Hence 1t IS
that the memory, for the most part,
is much more actively engaged in the
acquisition of knowledge at the present
time than any other faculty of the
mind. There is no application of prin-
ciples and differences to the ordinary
occurrences of life. There Is no par
ticular inquiry after the uses to which
q knowledge of any particular science
may lead, and though the student may
be a hard worker, constant and atten-
tive, he is operating with barren ma
terials, which in after life bring neither
blossom nor fruit. The the science
of physics or natural philosophy, SCI
ence which treats of objects in which
we find but little change. 1t Is no
doubt true that this science can be more
fully explained and comprehended an
der the broad expanse OF Heaven ana
in the light of an unobstructed atmos-
phere. than it could be in the murky
chambers or the dense, crowded streets
of a city. II the subject Of natural
philosophy can be more favorabiy pro-
NOTED and studied by farmers located
in agricultural districts, how much
more would this be the case in regard
to every other branch of natural SCI
ence The study Of these departments
of knowledge would receive most i'm
por;ant aid by being prosecuted in
gardens, in fields, in woods and In
mountains. in places where the struc'
ture and constituent qualities OF OBJ
.ects could be experimentally tested
: Thus. in relation to the science of min
erology, every facility would be afford
ed for it's investigation which couit
be desired, and its difficulties would D.
overcome with more ease and pleasur
\ than could be expected to result from
the ordinary manner of engaging il
, this study in our schools The studen
| would be gathering knowledge Will
he was occupied in improving and pre-
pairing his grounds. In making him
self acquainted with constituent prop
! critics necessary to the nourishment an
= growth of plants, he would be extend
. ing the bounds of his chemical know
3 edge by actual experiment, and Will
engaged in restoring a gas or propert
of the soil in which it was deficier
he could be supplying his own menti
Q wants in more than one important pal
ticular. 1t would be pleasant to see tn
farmer while occupied in his labo
= pausing in the midst of it, as some d.
, for the purpose of terrifying his min
in some scientific principle, STORM
\ away in his memory the fruits
knowledge at the same time that he
n storing up the fruits OF his husbandr
and making both contribute to his II
lure growth. not only in physical, b
!. In mental and spiritual improvement
The hook of nature is one vast recoI
of facts. phenomena and principle
{. stretched in interminable extent arouT
"A us ard lying open for the perusal
!. all who may choose to study and o
serve it. 1t bears witness TO wonde
h. in the heavens above, On the earth b
n meath, and in the regions under Z
earth. 1t can be read mere plain
Ia away from the artificial attractions
10 crowded communities and where
=. pages are rot hidden by the arti1cl
co contrivances of man. The count
or then. is the proper place TO eu!tivs
the sciences. Geology may busy its
by examining the rocks; botany m
10. there penetrate the shades of imper
bv ing forests. may study the organii
II ten of plants and trees. Zoology m
cs delight in contemplating the amin
q and insect kingdom, and even astrc
mt omy nay there gaze on the vide
In panse of the heavens, and measure
,ca count the stars that overhang the mr.
he amsnt Another advantage OF study
id in the country is in always having
RI materials of study before US. The FAR
CT needs no extra capital. no ex
hooks 10 study nature, and thus
A.~icx.1fura1 EDi