Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-01-29
A COUNTY SCHOOL
OF AGRICIJL. TURE
Shall We Have Such an lnstitu-
ton In Lancaeter.
Address Delivered Last Evening at the
Farmer Institute by County
Judge E. B. Goodsell.

Judge E. B. Goodsell.
Sometime in the far distant past someone
coined the Expression, 1.-The farmer is the
backbone OF the nation"
Inst exactly what the expression means
might be difficult to define, but il has ac-
guIred the dignity of an axiom-no one ques-
tiens ii. and the farmer himself very mod
estIy aasnmes that it is a self-evident fact.
Whether or not the farmer be the back
bone of the nation" the ''life-bloOd of the
nation" the heart and soul of the nation
or some other part of the anatomy of the
nation, we are all free to cOncede that he
is the great vital force which makes this
nation possible and without which it must
sOen sicaen and die.
This being true it needs no intellectual
effort to be able to arrive at the conclusion
that whatever strengthens the farmer
strengthens the nation. Whatever is true
Of the nation, so far as the farmer is con-
cerned, is true of its parts. and so L bring
the application of what l may have TO say
TO Grant county and our immediate vicin-
it5.
Tt is OF comparatively late years that the
majority of our people have come to realize
that back of the nation stands the farmer,
and back of the farmer ands only GOD
Almighty That for the natio- to prosper
the farmer must prosper, and to prosper the
farmer must obey the laws of Nature and of
Natures God. That in order to understand
and make use of those laws he must be
something more than a mere automaton,
machine that arises in the morning, tolls
until evening oils up the machinery three
times a day and goes to bed at night. but
to arise the next morning and tie next and
repeat the operation indefinitely. 1t is not
enough that he should he a mere bearer of
burdens he has higher, nObler and a
vastly more important function to per-
Term in the economy of the world than this
There is no other calling that is so fraught
with great problems as is agriculture. None
Of the so called learned professions require
greater learning. greater skill or more pro-
found knowledge OF the secrets of nature
and the application of the sciences and arts.
Some of you NAV wonder at this assertion
bat it is nevertheless fact that the whole
world is awakening TO a realization of the
truth of what am telling you.
The farmer is being exalted to the posi-
ton that is rightfully his because of his re-
Iation to society in the world. The process
of exaltation is gradual, persistent, newt
able.
In 1899 the legislature of the state OF Wis
cOnsin. appointed a commission to investi-
gate and and report upon the methods of
procedure in this and other states and
countries in giving instruction in manual
training and in the theory and art of agri-
culture i'm the public schools. l.. ID. Harvey,
the then stste superintendent OF public in
struction, was appointed to this commission.
auR in 1901 he made an exhaustive
70 he ctat re-
legislature, or rather to the governor.
making certain recommendations for
the establishment of county schools of
agriculture and domestic economy. L
wish 1 might quote extensively from
this report but time forbids. However,
would recommend that every farmer present
and indeed. every person present. procure
and read this report. If they have not
already done so,
In 1901 the legislature passed law estab-
ing. rather making it possible to establish
county schools of agriculture and
domestic economy. very closely following
the suggestions recommend ed by Superin-
tendent Harvey. This law has been on our
statute oOkS ever since its passage in 1901
hut dare say a comparatively few know
anything about it.
1 believe il to be one of the most import
ant legislative enactments of recent years;
enc that is destined TO assist the farmer TO
a solution of many of the difficult problems
NAT confront him. and be of vast economic
advantage to him
Briefly. this law provides:
l. That the county board of any county
nay appropriate money for the purpose of
organizing, eQuippiDg and mainta aiming
county school of agriculture and domestic
ssonomy.
n For the appointment OF county school
bsard who shall have charge and control
Of the school, under certain restrictions.
4 For a course OF instruction which shall
include instruction concerning the soil. the
ulant life and the animal lie OF the farm; a
system In farm accounts and instruction in
Ranual training and domestic economy.
4 For a suitable tract of land for purposes
q experiment and demonstration.
q For the maintenance of the school, the
state paying two thirds of the amount actu-
ally expended for maintaining the school
during the year. provided the amount does
act exceed 81 600 for any one school in year.
What have given you are the essential
features OF the law. 1t also provides for the
establishment of schools tor two or more
counties jointly.
The tuition to these schools is nothing,
and provision is made whereby instruction
nay be given to adult students during GER
tain seasons of the year, uof a character
suitable to their needs.
The more study this law the more deeply
am impressed with its Importance and its
far reaching benefits.
Prior TO the enactment OF this law it
vas possible to get school training along
AGRICULTURAL lines only in our state universe
~ or in some institution outside the state
FOr the boy who can afford to take advant-
aye of the facilities provided at the state in
stitute no better place eau be found, but for
DAT one fortunate boy there are one hun
dred not so fortunate as he who are. per-
farce c0roDeIled IN remain at home