The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-01

adding SIS os4.3l2 20 the value OF this one
class Of live stock
I'm Ike manner the average value of
dairy cows can easily ba Increased FROM
S14.16 20 80. and the average value Of
beef cattle from $i7Oi TO ~ lonst twice
and. in many instances. three times trst
amount. The information is az hand
10 make two. three aud even. -FOUR blades
OF grass grow where one grew before
Ihe prime necessity Of the hour ia how
t. get this information properly applied
IN practice. to create and NIX ideals tia
Will elevate the whole agricultural prac-
tice OF the nation
Professor Soule then goes on to show
tho vast acres Of lands that have been
made valueless and the great waste II
crops after being raised hy the abso-
lutte ignorance Of the farmer
Public Schools to the Rescue.
He shows how agricultural colleges ana
experiment stations have put some check
upon this, and SAYS:
There are many ways IN which the
public schools may BE- made more effec-
tive m improving conditions in the rural
districts. and ia consequence. increasing
me attractions OF country life and so
inducing a large number Of people To r.
main on tte farm il IS true that the
public school curriculum IS now over
crowded. and We would not odvocate
putting anything more I'm IT, but rather
curtHhns g. AZ the same time IL IS
certainty possible 10 az least introduce
Tie elements % nature study into the
public schools with the most benign ef
iecI-. fteTe indeed IS an opportunity FOR
the teacher who has any love yrha+e,-o-
for nature To excel in bringing ho~ro m
the youthful minds under his chara. a
tlous and truths THAI will stick Throughout
me- The successful teacher OF agriculture
docs not need text book go much ,s
originality u thought and purpose. ard
t're determination 70 strike CUT and snou
"a spoon or make n horn
II the elements of agriculture oa,rot
be successfully taught IN the schools
where only one teacher fs available tho
elements ~ nature study most certainly
can and nature study. coustitttf~p rs h
n'es. IS kno"le-ige ~ the clements ~ bot
any. plant physiology. animal nutrition
and the mysterious trausfo formation going
On IN the soil through che action OF bac-
terra and other invisible forms ~ rfa
provides the foundation 81 agricultural
I science. and VIII at least inculcate love
~ nature and teach the child TO Interpret
tho signs % life surrounding him and
50 instiN a love - country life and rri-el
objects. which ras hitherto been lacking
Belgium Leads
The report SAYS that Belgium probably
possesses the best scheme Of agricultural
education extant to-day The success
that has attended the work in Belgium
j. an evidence Of what can be accom-
p.ished by small nation through
Systematic national effort The struggles
OF the future are more likely to be OF an
industrial than q a warlike nature and
the best educated nation VIII be the best
prepared 70 meet the fierce competition
which the future Is certain 20 bring and
IL hehooves Us 70 give our earnest at
tcntion 10 tho education Of the peoula
"-v till the soil. for after all. they rep
resent the backbone OF Industrial progress.
The difficulties OF teaching agriculture IN
Virginia schools are rehcarsed al length.
and shows how il can be taught in the
consolidated schools. and concludes as
follows:
he time has cOme-ves. passed-vvhen
some definite action looking 10 the r-ou-
er training OF those who are 10 tili the
SOL must be- taken a v-eil-orr-4 izai
system Of agricultural training ~ -,-i-
mary and secondary schools means the
development of our com rarativefv UNI
touched agricultural resources the re-
clal~iing and profitable culture OF thou
sands Of acres Of waste land and a rauid
incre--ze IN wealth. doubling and trebling
the income 81 the state. insuring perma-
nent prosperity 10 every industrious cfti-
zen The problem % the day is one OF
suitable agricultural training for the mass
Of our PEOPLE Solve 81 sifcc4ssfrUv and
the other economic conditions which we
face with grave concern will naturally adj
Jus. themselves