Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-01-12
TERMS
FOR IMPROVED school SYSTEM.


In view of the fact that as a peo-
pie, we are beginning to open our
eyes to the disastrous results that
will follow if we continue to allow
the best OF our rural population-our
bright and energetic boys and girls
to leave their far ms for the so-callpd
attractions Of the city, it is highly
proper that We, especially those of US
in this section of the country, should
consider well what expedients will be
best 60 adopt in order TO check this
continuous flow to our large industrial
and commercial centers. That there
is such an emigration. no one
denies. The city is always on the
alert for young men and women who
were born and bred in the country and
who have parents who for generations
past have been init nataly connected
with the hard work ard accompanying
privations incident to the claiming of
our agricultural community from the
virgin forests.
i
of education does not give as much
consideration to our rural life as it
ought. and that in consequence our
young people are, more or less un-
consciously perhaps but none the less
surely, driven away from agricultural
pursuits by the instruction which they
receive. If these same people, or at
east larger percentage iof them,
could be kept at home TO develop and
carry on TIE work of the country,
they would give, in a few years, a
tremendous impetus to the agriculture
al communities. Occasionally we find
one who has not become a victim of
the show and tinsel of the city, but
who has voluntarily chosen to follow
in the footsteps of his predecessors
and remain at home, or, at least, in
the country. These almost invariably
grow up to be respected citizens,
known throughout their counties and
states as successful farmers and
directors of the common good.
But the writer started out to offer
mis- contribution as to what means
might have tendency to check this
depletion of our rural districts of its
best population and not to give a
diatribe on city immigration. 4
Let US consider whether it wouldn't
be possible to place before our chill.
dren information that will lead Those
who so desire to stay at home and fo,
this purpose nothing can be better
adapted than our public schools. Fo,
years past we have wanted to give
our children an education that will re
move some of the handiraps unde,
which we have labored. This is right
and just, duty we owe to society
put haven't we been rather slow ir
supplying a course of instru .tion tend
ing to satisfy the youthful ambition,
toward agricultural pursuits? True
our agricultural colleges, experiment
stations and federal bureaus, such p,
forestry, irrigation and kindred otbars
sc all doing their share toward SIM
plying any inquirer knowledg,
obtained In their special departments
but the trouble comes in finding q,
inquirer. Our children grow up: at
tend the common, grammar, and hipI
schools without finding in them. ex
cept In rare instances and under tn,
direction of some wide-awake teacher
a single study or course toucbin,
agriculture, except Indirectly. In tn
common schools we give them hvpi
enc, physiology civil government
ETC.; along with the three R's-whic
IS necessary and right; in the hig
school they get the rudiments of bot
any, geology, physics and chemistr,
each taught with no special referenc
to agriculture. This, too, is,well enoug
as far as it goes; but as a rule il
effect is In the opposite direction t
that desired just now that is. befor
we are aware of it, we have educate
our boys and girls toward medicin,
political economy and industrial ar
commercial sciences. Such it seen
to the writer are the conditions tn;
obtain in many of our schools ;
present, or at least existed fifteen {
twenty years ago when he was be
eager to do anything rather than sta
by the farm.
As to the remedy, the writer believe
that under system of education tn;
would give our rural teachers more
less instruction in agricultural SUI
jects and rural life, some lof whic
would be compulsory as are tt
courses touching our industrial, cor
mercial and economical life; and
turn, compelling them to give sho
courses or lessons in agricultur
horticulture, rural social life and I'll