The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-01-20
PLACE or AGRICULTURE
IN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS.

Much is said nowadays about the
teaching of agriculture in the common
and high schools, which teaching is
supremely important, but on account
of its very Importance must be un-
dertaken with great care.
school is maintained primarily to
serve the interests of it's community,
in other words, to do the greatest
good to the largest number. Agricul-
ture is the predominating interest of
Kentucky, hence it is obvious that
agriculture cannot rightfully be neg
lected. When we say agriculture, we
necessarily mean the whole scope of
rural activities firm corn production
to home comforts and the general
culture Of the rural people. Bearing
this in mind it is not right to be so ey-
treme as to decay the thorough teach
ing OF such branches as history, geog-
raphy, English, etc., for without fair
degree OF proficiency in such branches
the man is handicapped in business.
a further consideration that is nee
essary is the absolute unfitness of the
vast majority Of teachers for teaching
agriculture properly. Some have ad.
Vocated a State law recurring the
teaching Of agriculture in all the
schools, but upon the passage of such
a law, nearly all our teachers would
find themselves confronted by task
Tor which they were quite unprepared
and as consequence they would pro-
ceed to blunder, the result bling the
propagation of all sorts of false
ideas and ultimately a loss of conf
dence in scientific agriculture by the
farming public.
For the present the best method TN.
doubtedly lies in the introduction of
agrlhulture into the high schools and
other institutions of similar rank.
Provision should be made for the en-
ployment of well trained teachers of
agriculture into the high schools and
the installation Of reasonably good
equipment to aid them in teaching
The teacher is the main considera-
ton, for after all the teacher himself
is the school. He should not be ex-
pected to give advanced teaching in
any particular branch, but should be
able to get a few correct principles
correctly placed in the minds of his
pupils. Such things as the food nee
essary for plant growth what the
soil itself is, what its deficiencies are.
how these deficiencies can best be
corrected, what is meant by perma-
nent fertility, how depleted soil can
best be reclaimed, the importance of
proper physical condition of soil.
what constitutes a balanced ration for
each class of animals, the merits ri
various classes of animals. now r.
select good seed, how to ccntend with
insect enemies, hc~ to nroduce enoi
fruits and vegetables. hCw to sew AND
how to adord the house, etc.
hhout dinety-five per cent. OF ou1
pupils never reach I'm institution O
learning beyond the high school
hence the great importance OF reach
lAg this sasG majority with the abov,
enumerated usef1i teaching by plac
ing it in the secondary or higl
schools.
: Az a matter of fact large proper
ton Of our common school teacher
receive their traiR.ss in these higl
schools, and therefore Il we can reacl
them there with this uSefc1 instruc
ton, the problem of teaching as-icul
ture in the common schools will il
time do much to solve itself. and il
luus .....e Legislature easil, .n5,ns 40
teaching of agriculture in the
schools will be really beneficial
T. r. BRYANT,
/ Head of Extension Dept,
. Experiment Station, Lexington, Ky