Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-07-23
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
District superintendent Consider
It during a Symposium.
The Individuality Of the Cow and the
Selection of Teachers rorm-d Top-
ics for Discussion at Thurs-
days Session.
Thursdays sessions OF the distr,ct

by Prof. c. L. Beach. who discussed "Th
Individuality Of the Cow" He rathore,
his audience at the college farm barn
to charts and to living animals led on
before the gathering. He said in ma r,
That the ability to utilize and CONVEX,
food prohtably into milk and butter
varies with individuals. Among hotl
ordinary and pure bred COWS the variation
IN this respect is remarkable
Competition among business concern.
impells them to obtain the largest re.
turns for the money expended. The var.
ious production factors are carefully
scanned and the incapable dispensed
with. 'Out and forever out the in.
competent and unworthy go" should he
the motto in the management of a herd
COWS should be studied individually and
the Improbable ones "weeded out. '
Although the final proof of the value
of any COW and of her right to be kept
In the herd should depend upon her
ability as shown by the milk. scale and
Babcock test. it often happens that a
dairyman must rely upon his own juds-
ment the selection of cows
The milk and butter producing qualities
vigor conformation, temperament, fine
ness and other qualities that are quite
characteristics. The essential points of a
good dairy animal are ample digestive
capacity, large milk organs. we'll de-
veloped nerve system and refinement or
lack of superfuous flesh.
Digestive capacity Milk is a manu-
featured article. produced by the COW
from her food. Her capacity 70 producing
milk depends largely upon her capa city
for digesting and assimilating food a
quality indicated by a long. deep and
wide barrel with we'll sprung ribs
Milk organs. The udder should be large
and symmetrical It's activity is indicated
somewha; by the amount of blood pass
ing through it, which depends upon the
capacity Of the blood or milk veins"
which are connected herewith.
The nerve system should he well de-
veloped for through this system the ac-
tivity Of all the organs of digestion as
similation and elaboration of milk are
aroused. controlled and harmonzed
Refinement or lack of flesh. The energy
OF the dairy COW is directed toward the
production of milk. This tendency has
been increases by breeding. inheritance
and development and the tendency to lay
on flesh has been restrained. This has
resulted in an animal with a fine head
and neck; light front quarters: hind quar-
tors thin, inCurved at rear and sides;
sharp withers; spare crops: and a thin
hony angular body devoid of all unneces-
sary flesh. These four essential qualities
o. dairy cow Of any breed are forml-
lated ir a score card which serves 20
standardize the judgment of he who
would wish wisely to judge a dairy cow.
THE SELECTION OF TEACHERS.
The party then adjourned to the Science
hall where it was addressed by Supern-
tcndent II. l.. Lewis of Wore ster, Mass,
on the selection of teachers. He said in
part:
AS is the teacher. so is the school"
Leibnitz once said Give me for a few
years the direction of education and I
agree to transform the world This d.
rection must largely come through the
selection of teachers The prevailing
method until Of late of selecting for rural
schools has been for friends of the candi-
date u select the committee on employ
1nent Frequently her need Of money has
constituted her main claim to the posi-
ton. l do not know to what extent this
method has been reformed. In Worces-
ter II was formerly customary to assign
to each of the "a committee members one |
cr two schools He, acting with the SUI
perin'endent, selected the teacher, but In |
the main he or she was his choice. The
dangers of such method are evident |
Later the matter was submitted to a SUBJ
and stll later a civil service |
scheme was adopted. We fortunately have
a long waiting list and rarely employ |
teacher who has not had much experi- |
ence. She is ranked upon an eXamina-
ton, mainly in elementary school studies |
and experience in teaching. We employ |
few who have not attained high rank in |
examination and have not been marked |
excellent" In school work.
What Is the best method Of appoint
ment? Probab bly, tho ideal scheme for one
town would not be ideal for all others |
The objections to appointment by the
school committee are apparent It rarely
can pass upon qualifications and politica,
influences often control The super
ntendent Is thought by some 70 be the
proper appointing officer but in large
cities he rarely can pass intelligently
upon the qualifications of the new
teachers and under the present tenure
Of office system is apt to be Influenced
ny political considerations. For the larger
cities the civil service system, In which
and experience are the
factors in the main secures
the oest teachers.
What qualities should be looked for In
'eachers?
First OF all wide and ready Intelligence.
Tests as to the capacity for mental
growth and Of living interest In the
y ork should be made. New normal schools
ire apt to he over confident in the merits
# some sovereign met hod of teaching. and
attempt to teach something they do not
snow by method which they have but
lalf learned and with disastrous results
Next comes teachers lack of
knowledge is often construed by the pupil
IS a form of dishonesty. To pretend
md attempt to teach that which one
loes not understand is form Of dis
honesty which the pupil recopies and
initiates.
Geniality. an optimistic view OF life Is
important. but cannot be tested by an
The man Of experience can
determine generally from the face of
he candidate as to her geniality.
A sense OF humor Is also desirable since
upils work better whose teacher Is on
roper occasions their leader In fun as
veil as In work.
A successful teacher should have a
ogical mind and be capable Of stating
matters clearly II she shows n disposi-
ion to take full control OF the CONVERSE