Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-22

, to the officials in every town in the dis
| trict infested by the brown-tail moth,
| calling attention to the great danger
which threatened the State from this
pest and the importance of immediate
action: and urging them to present the
matter to their towns and if possible
secure appropriations for the work of
determination. A Widespread interest
in the matter of insect pests was awak-
| ened, and the number Of specimens OF
insects which have been sent to the
office and the letters OF inquiry have
been great.
In addition to the annual report and
the quarterly bulletins. in which pub
cations Ell increasing interest is
manifested. various circulars and
plaCards in relation to the brown-tail
moth have been issued. These have
been placed in the hands of town
officials. school authorities. oranges
and other organizations. and have been
distributed i'll the infested district.
AGRICULTURAL. EDUCATION
1t gives lis pleasure to he able to re-
port step in advance i'll the line Of
Agricultural education. During the
| session Of the last legislature the State
superintendent of schools. at the re-
quest Of the agricultural people, called
togclh her the president Of the University
of Maine and the principals of the
state normal schools to discuss the
Feasibility of introducing the teaching
Of agriculture into our normal schools.
The suggestions given at that meeting
with a great deal of IA
vor by the instructors in the normal
schools. and in at least two Of these
institutions the teachers have entered
heartily into the matter, and some OF
tho sciences. as botany. geology and
zoology. also bird study and nature
study, are taught with special refer
enre to agriculture; also. il III" last
term of the course agriculture IS 10 be
taught from 4 text book. even though
this necnssitates the setting aside of
ono branch which h3s fn"m""'v """N
taught Something in this line Is UNI
doubtedly being done in all our normal
schools, although detailed reports have
been received from but two. We have
every reason to believe that these
schools will do more from year to year
towards instructing the teachers Of the
state to teach agriculture more cx-
tcnSively. We trust this work will
go steadily on until agriculture shall
havn a recognized place in every grade
of our schools attended hr rural pupils.
Agriculture is the noblcSt vocation
of man, Offering in it's various branch
es r3orc avenues to health, wealth and
happiness than any other calling. The
state furnishes money and schools to
educate her sons and daughters and as
many of them as desire it should GER
taiEly he educated along the line of
this great industry, which is the basis
of ali others. a training in civil en-
ginrrng or other mechanical arts is of
much advantage. an education III some
line of natural science is Of great
value 4 classical education is grand
but agriculture is broader and more
diversified. ana to successfully follow
this pursuit requires wider intelli-
eence. a more varied knowledge. than
any other profession. IT opens a field
for the practical application of all of
our natural sciences. 1t arouses the
best that is in man. and brings him
near to natures heart.