The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-17
Page Deboted TO the Cause Of Popular Edn

g. f. q 10
fnctors.'' Tic newer education aims at
tho training of the whole child to take /
the highest part and lead Its best life iii
tho community.
When pupils shall have reached the
high school the method Of study develop
ed by nature study will lin;e b.cclno o
habit, and will have pcrmehtcd also AL
the other subjects Of their course This
Is the scientific attitude, q spirit OF
search after truth through Investigation,
without pcrJudice.
In the high school, however, the Sub
jeet matter becomes better related, and
tho treatment more systematic and log-
cal, resulting In the formulation OF luws
and principles. Consequently moro at
tention will be given there to elementary
science and Its applications than 70 na-
ture study.
Many efforts have been made to I'M
prove our rural schools. The task is
more difficult to-day than 1t hns been
for centuries, for "a vast body Of know
ledge has to be brought into educational
account Tho old tradition has to be ex-
amincd, readjusted to new needs. and IN
part discarded" New studies have 10
be introduced and scientific thonghs has
to DO given to the training Of the senses
and Of the physique.
The ideal system of schools for rio
rural districts would, In my Judgement,
be ~ tho establishment of several GEN.
trnlly located agricultural high schools
in every State, each equipped with one
| or moro teachers on It's staff trained in
an agricultural college, acquainted with
the practical side OF agriculture, and
able to use tho farm In connection with
| the high schools as n good teacher uses
! his science laboratory to demonstrates IN
, a practical way the best scientific princi-
| pies and methods advocated by tlo BIZ
! pertinent Stations. These schools would
! act as feeders for the agricultural college
of the state. (2) A good consolidated
school for the township where the first
year Of the high school would be con-
nected in course with the elementary
grade work This secondary course
would be adapted to the larger boys and
| girls who spend most of their time on the
| farm, but who would be willing to spend
| two or three months OF the year in
! study OF the activities of the district.
! for the purpose Of the lettering OF the
Knowledge Of the farm processes and
| thereby gaining power for service. Good
rural schools where nature study would
form the basis Of the school effort, as IN
the lower grades Of the consolidated
i school.
Such system, say, with the agrlcul-
tural college at the apex, with several
4 agricultural high schools, q consolidated
school in every township. doing contin-
uation work OF a secondary nature, ana
good smaller schools carrying on nature
work by the nature study method. would
4 be Ideal; but the trouble with this scheme
4 is the great cost, which would make It
impracticable In most States. It IS 9
matter Of regret that there is such an
aversion to paying taxes, even for such
an excellent thing as good schools; put
1 I suppose the people must be educated
4 to pay taxes pleasantly. Tax-payinE -
cooperation for mutual benefit. anc
without taxes we would not be able TO
4 have good schools and churches, and
4 most OF our modern conveniences.
In Canada we have not yet reached the
state of advancement when the people are
a unit as to the Importance Of such q
4 scheme of education and are willing TO
tax themselves for a system Of schools
such as I have indicated. Through the
a influence Of two or three agencies, now
ever, our rural people are beginning to
realize the value Of an agricultural ed
| ucation They have been convinced by
good object lessons. BY continuing on!
good work we hope by and by to get ou'
ideal system of schools. We consider y
wiser to educate our people to realiza
n
schools, SO that they will voluntarily un
/, dertake the burden of taxation necessary
for their establishment and maintenance
than to lcglslate ahead Of public senti
ment.
The first agency shall note - rlle
b Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph
Ontario Established 80 years ago by a
!. act of tho LEGISLATURE for the benefit Q
81 the farmers, 1t was for the first 10 year
& disowned by the farmers themselves
, IT was football for the contending poll
tical parties? Subjected, therefore, t
severe gales of scrutiny and criticism,
grew slowly. but Its roots became frml!
planted. For many years the member
!, 1 OF the college staff remained at home
. thinking they had done their whole dut.
: when they gave instruction to the ST.
Q dents who came to the classroom bl
the farmer was not to be won over ..
!. that method. Then the staff went out I
the farmers, talked with them, advise
with them, and by practical, sensibl
. demonstrations, won their commence.
I'll Thus arose our farmers Institutes, q
| extensive system of the Agricultural Col
legc, means by which scientific know
!, ledge was popularized and applied t
, practical agriculture. Side by side VII
, the Farmers In stitutes were the frul
: Growers, theLive Stock, the Dairy, an
/ the Poultry Associations: all encourage
5 and aided by the Agricultural coilege.
: The farmers became interested IN tn
improved methods OF dealing with tn
i aoil, plants and animals, and wanted
! know more. They read the bulletin
: issued by the college, attended the sho'
g courses at the college arranged for the
i special benefit and co-operated In II
Z experimental work carried out under u
70 direction of the college.
Ali this, 1t will be perceived was aloll
!, Il thu limo pf educating the farmer 10 ia
/ ! himself. Then again. when we conh'fl'
: that for more than thirty years II
z Ontario Agricultural College has stnc
Q for careful study Of nature and
/ ture's processes as an essential factor
h -