Gilpin observer., 1911-06-01
Commissioner of Massachusetts
Board of Education Approves.
Hoped to Disseminate Principles
Broadcast Throughout Common
wealth and Bring About RecIama-
tion Of Abandoned Farms.

Boston.-After many years of dis
cussion a definite program, arranged
by David Snedden, commissioner of
the state board of education, has been
submitted to the legislature whereby
1t is proposed to have scientific farm
Ing taught in the public schools and
its principles disseminated broadcast
throughout the entire state.
By his program the commissioner
hopes to bring about the reclamation
of abandoned farms and a general de-
velopment Of agriculture along expert
lines. His recommendations call for
the establishment of six state agricul-
tural schools and an agricultural de-
partment in every high school in the
state.
Not only Is this sweeping addition
to the system of the state approved by
the educational authorities, but 1t is
supported as thoroughly practical
measure by Secretary ]. Lewis Ellis
worth. of the state board of agricul-
ture, whose knowledge of farming con-
ditions and possibilities is unques-
toned.
That the farming population will be
increased and that the back to the
land" impulse will be gratified with a
certainty of success by the city bred
high school graduates of the next few
years are results to be expected. Also,
1t is the most practical step toward
utilizing small plots of land in in
tensive farming.
On this point Secretary Ellsworth
says:
From the agricultural standpoint
the recommendations of the state
board of education are very welcome,
and they bear out the conclusions that
progressive farmers have arrived at
The scientific instruction in farming
rs life work is needed just as much
as the vocational instruction in other
lines.
THE farmer today knows this, and
with the teaching of boys in high
schools or separate agricultural
schools We will receive recruits for
the farm work of the future.
General instruction in agriculture
will be of special value in fitting the
students for working profitably small
plots near our large cities where there
10 ready market. This calls for In.
tensive farming to achieve the fullest
profits, and the graduates OF these
schools will be fitted for such work."
The Importance of his recommenda.
tions is dwelt upon by DR.. Snedden,
who has spent the last year in inves.
tigating the special needs OF agricul.
tural education. One of the most i'm.
portant Of these as 1t is set forth In
the carefully considered report of the
board. is:
"The growing commercial and In.
dustrial school facilities open to boys
and girls fourteen years of age and
older tend to lure away from the land
and into congested centers, in the abb
sence of competent and attractive ag-
ricultural education, many young peo.
pie whose natural aptitude would
make them, II properly trained, better
and more prosperous citizens in the
country.
Financial aid for agricultural edu.
cation suitable for adults and for col.
lege students has for a half century
been furnished by the commonwealth
and by the federal government State
aid for vocational training of the sec.
ondary grade in agriculture is, more
over, entirely in keeping with state
aid for independent Industrial school
work and to some extent has been
provided for.
The slow development OF second.
ary agricultural schools. the testimony
of farmers throughout the state, and
the demand for the investigation
which was made by ths legislature Of