East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-07-01
EDUCATION THE HOPE OF THE FARMER
Address Delivered Today by Dr.
Chautauqna.

vell-to-do farmers, in an effort to
educate their families, move to town.
This frequently proves the deathknell
Of the family interest in country life.
II is really pitiable to see the sons
Of former prudent, thrifty farmers
filling commonplace positions in town
at nominal salaries, when, if taught
early in life to appreciate fully the
dignity and honor Of the position Of
"a truly modern asriculturist, they
might have been in the country as
men among men.
Parents At Fault.
There is no intended reflection up |
on the thoroughly up-to-date pro-
fessional or business men of the city, |
but the country boy in an Intellectual
attempt to do city stunts is to be pit |
led. Frequently perhaps parents are
to blame for the want Of due re-
spect ana appreciation of their pro-
fession, for farming indeed is a pro-
fession-'the oldest art, but the new
est science There is no place in all
the realm of human activities where
combination Of labor and learning
IS more essential than upon the farm.
Let us search diligently for the
| apparently occult influences which
cause the abnormal influx from coun-
| try to city and if it be our schools
let us without delay set about to make
the proper correction. If the consoli-
dated rural school is the solution to
the problem let us by all honorable
means speed the day for these con-
solidations. If the country high
school is the solution, let us have the
high school, for the initial cost of
such schools, high as it may be, is
as nothing financially to the value of
strong, virile, patriotic agriculture
to any community. 1t has been right
ly stated that all wealth comes from
the soil, but without a general and
proper understanding of the possibil
tiles of the soil but a relatively small
proportion of wealth can be gotten
therefrom.
Enthusiasm Needed
What is really needed is a more
general enthusiasm and agricultural
optimism among the farming popu-
lation. Farmers should have a high
er estimation and keener appreciation
Of their vocation. So long as the far
mer himself remains passive as to
the introduction of agricultural stud
les in the public schools, just so long
will agriculture fail to appeal to the
more aggressive type of country boy.
Paradoxical as it may seem the move
ment for agricultural education finds
IL strongest supporters among busi-
ness and professional men rather than
in the ranks of the practical farmers.
The city man appreciates the full
value of education and thorough bus
iness organization and we trust a
| larger proportion of our farmers will
soon be classed as progressives in
| the field of technical and industrial
education. 1t is encouraging to know
that a number of high schools in the
state have added within recent years
agricultural instruction and other in
dustrial work to their curricula. Ash
| land contemplates doing some hor-
ticultural field work in connection
with the high school and through
| recent press reports we learn that
Hermiston intends to operate a small
| farm in connection with their high
school work in agriculture. This is
certainly a long forward step. The
| beneficial effects of this good work
will soon be in evidence in these
communities. 1t is to be hoped thN
high schools will rapidly multiply in
| our state and that in these high
| schools not only will adequate pro-
| vision be made for agricultural in
struction, but wherever practical an
opportunity for field work in agri-
| culture be also given. In fact it is
| thought that if every rural high
school had a demonstration farm at
| tached thereto it would be greatly
to the financial interest of the state.
These farms could not only be made
the means of demonstrating correct
principles of agriculture ito the far
mers of the community, but could
serve the double purpose of being
utilized for giving technical and prac-
teal instruction to the high school
students as well.
There is no place where knowledge
is more potent in results than when
it is disseminated through the ac-
tivities of the farm. The knowledge
that creates n deep seated love for
country life and brings an abiding
devotion to the problems of a rural
environment. A country beautiful
and profitable should be the aim of
the student in agriculture."
Never leave home on journey
without a bottle of Chamberlain's
Collie, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy.
1t is almost certain to be needed and