The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-10-06

normal schools, one at Castleton, one
at johnson and one at Randolph Center.
These schools are under the supervision
of the state board OF education, consist
ing of the governor as chairman, and
the state superintendent OF education as
members eX-ofiicio and three members
appointed by the governor This board
has general oversight OF the schools
and directs as to the policy to be pur-
sued Previous to 1908 the normal
schools had an appropriation of $4,000
annually. 1t was found that this amount
was not sufficient to provide for the
wants Of the school, and the last legis-
lature increased the appropriation by
S7 SEQ; this last amount to be divided
between the schools as the state board
OF education thought wise, The report
OF tho board will show that much work
has been done iii putting the buildings
in proper shape aud the money 80 ex-
pended has provided many necessary
improvements. Ii also seemed wise to
change the course of instruction and to
provide a more efficient class Of teach
ers. These changes have been made, and
in the future the schools will offer a
very high class of instruction and train
ing The approximate membership is
two hundred or 4 little over Castleton
having about onehaH, the remainder be-
ing divided between johnson and Ran
dolph The spending Of $4,000 each year
for the training OF fifty pupils or less
is not profitable OF necessary, and, In my
Judgment, either the school at johnson
or Randolph should be abolished The
instruction is practically the same at
these schools, therefore, so far as that
il concerned there Is no choice, but the
training school facilities at Randolph
are extremely limited and it is very
difficult even for the small number of
pupils who attend to receive proper I'M
struction as teachers, because OF the
lack of opportunity for training IL
should be noted that large number
OF the scholars In attendance on these
schools are from the locality where they
are situated. the schools not having that
reputation which viii attract scholars
from a distance This is not intended
as a criticism Of the schools themselves
but simply of conditions IN my judg
ment it is impossible for this state 10
successfully carry on three normal
schools, providing such facilities as shall
bring to them the better class OF pupils
desiring training as teachers. This Is
very unfortunate, because we should
train the teachers who are to have
charge OF our schools in the same at
mosphere ia which they are TO teach
Thus they win more clearly understand
conditions and will be better able to
successfully meet the difficulties which
they will encounter. We should. there
fore, strive to provide such facilities
as win attract pupils from all over the
state by assuring them that they will
receive the best of instruction and train
ing and in order to do that we should
concentrate our energies more than We
are doing at the present time.
State Board of Agriculture and Forestry.
Act No. II OF the laws of 1908 abol-
ished the board Of agriculture and Great
ed the board OF agriculture and forestry,
This board was to consist OF the govern
or, the director of the Vermont agricul-
tural experiment station, and two eiti-
zens of the state, known to be interested
in the advancement Of agriculture and
forestry, the duty of the board being to
have general oversight OF these two de-
partmeuts and decide ON the policy TO
be pursued; an annual appropriation Of
$4,000 being made for the CARRYING out
of the purposes of the act this appro-
priation to be apportioned between the
two departments as the board should
determine. IL also provided that the
should appoint, with the CON
sent Of the Senate. a commissioner of
agriculture at salary not to exceed
81 600 per year, and the board to employ
a state forester at a salary not TO ex-
coed $500 per year. Under this act |
Mr. o. L. Martin of plaindeld
as commissioner OF agriculture, and he
has, under the direction of the board
his department in very eff
eient manner. The board secured the
services of Austin +. Halves as state for
ester. and under his direction the de-
partment Of forestry has been organ
lied and has | believe, become of great
benefit to the state and its forestry In
terests Some land has been purchased
for forestry purposes and is being man.
aged for that purpose at the present
time. The governor was also authorized
to receive gifts of land and under this
| have accepted a gift of a
large farm in Sharon from the Hon.
Charles Downer of that town. The gift
is most desirable one, because of its
location. its size and its value The
on the farm are of the best,
and ] am sure that under the wise man
segment of our state forester Il viii be.
come an object lesson OF great value.
Mr.. Dowuer has shown himself to be
very public-sprited citizen in making
this gift. ] only hope his example may
be followed BY Others and that the state
may become the owner Of at least one
tract Of land suitable for forestry in
each county The appropriation made
for these two departments is none too
large. but. ON the other hand might be
to $4,000 and we'll expended
with profit The commissioner OF agri-
culture should be able to gather more
statistics regarding crops than he can
At the present time with the money
now at his disposal He should be able
to advertise the state more freely than
he can now. IN fact. / fully believe
Tint the state might well expend $4,000