The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1912-11-01
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Lafayette, La, October %. 49,

Lafayette, La, October %. 1912.
Editor Advertiser:
There is an old saying to the effect
that the cobbler's family is always
poorly shod. The application OF this
saying to Lafayette Parish, rich sls-
ricultural section, depending entirely
upon the soil for the necessities and
comforts Of life is unfortunately too
true. Here we are, blessed with a
soil the fertility of which is unques-
toned, and yet with all that has been
done in the State towards fostering ag-
ricultural education-the organization
of corn, pig and canning clubs, the es-
tablishment of agricultural schools
practically nothing has been attempt
ed by the schools and the communi-
ties of this parish to develop love
for, and a knowledge of agriculture.
l know there are some sincere per-
sons who say that there is no science
of agriculture. but the vast majority
of persons well-infor know that
there is such a thing as scientific ag
riculture; that there Is much that can
be learned in school by the prospec
tive farmer boy and girl;
that the teacheings of these
subjects in school can be
justified upon the ground of arousing
interest in, and love for the work
which a majority of the boys and
girls of this parish must of necessi-
ty follow as a vocation.
What is true of agriculture for
boys is equally true of domestic
economy for girls.
In order to encourage both of the
industrial subjects in public schools,
the State subsidies such schools as
fulfill the requirements of the State
by making an annual appropriation
of $500 tor departments of domestic
economy; and $1,000 for agricultural
departments.
Twenty-nine of the thirty available
state agricultural schools have al
ready been approved leaving only one
available vacancy. There are at
least five communities in this parish
which should have domestic art and
agriculture in the course; the State
virtually pays the cost of mainte-
nance, so the school board can very
properly establish these departments
even when there is no money in the
treasury-the State pays the bill.
l suggest that the trustees of the
schools where industrial subjects
could be profitably introduced get to
work Immediately and fulfill the re-
quirements for the only agricultural
school which can hope for state aid,
and for domestic science depart
ments. This is very important
subject, because it touches the lives
of our boys and girls. The one great
criticism made by the State Super1n-
tendent during his recent visit to the
schools of this parish (he said some
nice things about the schools) was
that even in the rural schools, there
was nothing to suggest the fact that
the school was rural school in the
! midst of an agricultural community.
Comparing our rural schools with
those of Iowa, for example, he init
mated that our schools are training
the boys and girls away from the
farm and farm life, while those of
Iowa teach boys and girls something
about the work which they are to
follow in life. The walls Of the
schools in Iowa are decorated with
pumpkins. corn. cane (sorghum) oats.
etc, and lessons are given In these
subjects; there is q school garden
and the children are taught to care
Tor and love plants and plantAfe;
Each county ha1 corn ~ and ran-
ming clebs which arc wideawake. Be.