New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1911-04-08
AGRICULTURE IN THE PUB
Lie SCHOOLS
Editor Enterprise

1t is only within the last four
teen Years that any general an,
systematic effort has been mad
IN the United States to furuisl
facilities to acquire a thorough
scientific and practical education
IN agriculture. We have but
FAINT idea Of the vast amount y
improvements, that have been ac
comp.lshed in advancing arr
cultural education in the single
direction Of systematic anr
| thorough training III this course
of study. Look ing Ia k over tn,
last ten years. We notice thai
those cnga ged in agriculture have
made marvellous progress in gen
eral information, as well as il
technical subjects bea mo uIou
their special calling. This has
been largely brought about by tn,
discussions given in Agricultural
Journals on the needs and helps
OF TIE farmer.
These regular contributions
given III the Agricultural .Journ-
ais, are from the pen of many OF
the ablest writer's on the practical
and scientific subjects of the dav.
They have created such a demand
for agricultural literature that a
large proportion of our religious
and political journals devote
more or less space to the subject.
Through these discussions much
valuable information has been dis
semlnated; and the effect has been
to arouse thoroughly the agricul-
tural classes to sense Of their
rights and duties. These earn
est and continued discussions have
developed latent talents and eX-
cited desire for information
among the farmers, that is as yet,
only partially gratifled.
Such rapid strides in agricul-
tural pursuits have been made in
the last few years, that the pro
gress.ve farmer is actually as
tonished.
What change of public senti-
ment has taken place in regard to
agricultural education in the last
ten years. Each succeeding wear
witnesses a better appreciation of
the need of more thorough train
ing to enable the farmer to meet
keener competition and reduced
profits. Every year marks an
important step in the evolution Of
the scientific and business-Uke
agriculturist.
up-to-date farming interest
the young men and opens the
eyes of those, who have grown
gray tilling the soil.
1t has proved a great factor in
overcoming the peculiar disfavor
with which "book farmers have
been regarded by the old style
farmer, These old men are be-
ginning to see that there is some
thing more in farming than mere
blowing. sowing and reaping.
They are beginning to see. that
learning creates skill and that skill
is now a necessity on the farm.
The day of the ten-inch iron pillow
and the hundred-pound six-foot
harrow is past. The wearisome
after such implements.
that made the bright boy hate the
farm is gone. never to return.
We now have implements that re-
quire skill instead Of mere muscle
to operate them to the best adj
The young farmer is
now almost an engineer.
Instead of merely steering
team of horses or q yoke Of oxen
across a field, shutting along af-
ter them in a weary, uninterested
he rides on the nipple
ment and manages it, so that he
accomplishes three to five times
as much as he could with the old
style tools.
The beginning of this education
ii reform really lies with the
eachers themselves. 1t will not
oe difficult to educate the chill
lren in the elements of agricpl-
upe, # the TEACHERS themselves
display intelligent interest and
affection for the study. This
great educational field can be
opened with more interest and
access by teachers, who know
omething of botany, plant
growth and forestry,
Such surroundings can be en-
'loyed to the highest advantage in
ultivating in children observa-
ion and imparting elementary
IDEAS of natural science, 1t Is
eally most surprising to many of
IS what information can be gath
red from some of our children at
nding the rural schools in the
tpdy Of agriculture. ! think the
tudy Of agriculture can be taken
p in the 9TH Grade, of course
his will depend to a certain ex-
ent on the intelligence and ex-
erience Of the children attend
lg our schools. Some of us may /,
ay. and that truthfully, that the
lateral, we are handling at
resent, are not up to the stand
I'd required to take up this study
ltelligently and understandingly,
t such an early stage, but of
purse / make allowances for this.
Then let us teach them the sim
le lessons and the rudiments of
Children should