Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-31

did three unique things in the last century
1t built at Washington the Capitol, the
washington monument and the Congress
sional Library, each the finest of its kind in
the world. much grander work was the
laying of the foundation of agricultural
education and research to prepare the
farmer for his life work, establish agricul-
tural literature and lift the tiller of the
soil to highest level of efficiency as a
producer and a citizen. No country on
earth has such comprehensive system to
bring about these results. The total num-
Der of land grant colleges is sixty-five, and
SlXty-three OF these give courses in agricul-
ture, which are attended by 10000 students.
These colleges are as largely engaged in
giving instruction in agriculture to adult
farmers in the farmers institute which are
annually attended by over 1000, 900 farmers
These institutions have permanent funds
and equipment amounting to sS4, eco, COO
and an annual revenue of S14,50O.OOO, to
which the federal government contributes
100000 and the state governments ST.
800, 900.
Work Is Telling.
The work is telling in many ways Young
people go to these institutions who would
not go to any other. There is a great de-
mand at home and abroad for young people
educated along these lines The brightest
farm boys and girls being educated for
the farm. 1t is the most delightful and COM
pIeHSiSiNe Stuuy VI llllHSS 10
which the mind be applied.
Including the population of our island pos
sessions half of the people under our flag
are producers from the soil. This hall owe
it to the other to prepare themselves for
discharging the duties of citizenship with
the highest intelligence.
Some Powerful Adjuncts.
They are financially able to educate, as -
per cent of our exports-or nine hundred
millions of dollars-is the price of farm
products sold abroad annually after sup
plying the home requirements. They have
leisure and more faclities for reading and
reflection than the other half of the peo-
pie. Rural free delivery of mails the tele-
phone, the daily and farm papers, maya
zines and other sources of information com
bine to form powerful aduncts in the edu-
cation of the farmer and his family They
are not organized as a class and are not
likely to be, but they are the nations Jury
when questions of public policy are to be
settled.
Do not understand me that | would limit
the education of rural families to material
affairs-tO the getting bread and but
ter as some thoughtless men in promi-
nent places term agricultural Quotations
Responsibility to God and to his fellow
man is now being impressed upon young
and old in country and village and town by
the grandest organization of churches and
Sabbath schools known TO any people,
where mans nobler nature Is being stimu-
lated and developed with infinite pains and
at such expense as we are never likely to
see devoted to material things.
Liberal Incomes Necessary
Highly enlightened society as we have it
requires liberal incomes. Good farming is
the basis of bank accounts in our country.
Fill the pupils stomach before you teach
altruism and that the teacher has had
breakfast. One of the most praiseworthy
lines of work being done at our agricultural
colleges is the training of young women
in what pertains to themselves and others,
including domestic economy, sanitation, nu-
triton, ventilation and correct living, re-
sulting in the American girl, unique, I'M
eQualed, perfect.