The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-07-14
THAT BOYS EDUCATION.

Along In the sixties Of the 18th cen
lury, when the agricultural and ex
pertinent colleges were established. II
was generally believed that anybodt
could farm, and when it was proposed
to establish colleges for giving educa
ton in agricultural and experiment
station Tor agricultural research. thu
great body OF farmers were not ony
ncredHlous as 10 the practical useful
ness Of such institutions, but were III
many instances actually hostile to the
movement.
They believed in special study and
training for the blacksmith, watch
maker but they did not 20 to tn,
lawyer to point them the way t,
heaven, yet in spite OF all this they
believed that ahybndy could farm.
II is a common saying that farmer.
are adhering too closely to the ways
OF their father or some local prophet
and the statement is undoubtedly true
Agriculture is not merely a business
but an art as well; the art of nroduc
ing plants and animals that are use
tul to man.
It Is not enough simply to grow
crops, but they must be SO produced
as % yield q profit on the scaDual in
vested 10 succeed, he must be thor
oughly acquainted with every detai
of his occupation, and must strive tc
stop all leaks and prevent needless
waste
The farmer should be a philoso
phcr like to think of bim as hay
ing been 50 thorough and timely and
resourocful with his work, that he car
sit on the fence at least one day fl
the week and enjoy the fun Of seeing
things grow.
Years ago beard this remark, "Al
a young man needs 10 start farminf
is a strong pair OF bands" That wa.
once partly true, at least. IT was
Cepted rs true Most peOple would
now agree that head stored with
practical knowledge or capable OF az
quiring IT IS even more essential
When our children, as well as 0idci
heads, are convinced that farming o
IS just as great n study af
any of the other branches Of cduca
tion and that to be a good farmer it
just as great an achievement as To bc
a good doctor or good lawyer. then
and only then, can we expect to see
q real and true improvement iB agri
culture But the question arises
'Why is this improvement So slow
The answer I'm most cases would be
Ills inherited tendency 20 do things
ls father did them
There has been great improvement
in agriculture durug the past five
years 10 is very noticeable in many
IOealitios throughout Oklahoma. yni
thc improvement is not s9 great nor
as one would wish % see. bg
anr means.
There are three excellent sources
ri education within reach Tho
Schools OF Agriculture. The Farmers
Institute. and tho Agricultural PreEs
hu three are within reach of AN
h few years ago ono ol the Commis
sioners appointed by President Ro0ec
vcIl io study conditions of farm life
gave r his report tho thing The peo
1le c0mp' Hncd about most was tire
country school Tie stated that .
Tonne "a woman voiced the prosai
ing sentiment when she said. The
trouble wiih fhe country ls tie bct
Ter H is tae worse 81 i when asked
'o explain what she means she re
DIcd The better you tfy ~ MAKE
,le country schoel. sths moFe ys1
.ga5ss & size 1e ritg school and the
worse e IS for ls, because sc edncates
country toward the city and SIC lose
.aam Forever
So fae feeling exists that tho real
need 70 the country is thorough
aEreuitgrai education for
.lo bows and girls CD interest ttem
ID agriculture instead oi stocks and
bonds
Many Who have not given earrfll
'fteutioa % the progress q asF,esi