Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-01-29

state several propositions which there will be general as
sent:
First Vermont needs better and more efficient common
schools, particularly in the rural districts
Second Vermont should encourage its young men and
to remain in this State through education az
well in other ways.
Third, Vermont should not waste money by unneces-
sarly duplicating educational service.
Fourth, Vermont's educational system should promote
the conservation of the States natural the chief
of which boys and girls.
Starting with the supposton that Vermont had clean
slate and were instutng entirely educational system
may be able to discover just what plans would adopt
and to what extent adjust thereto present sys-
tenn.
The ways in which the common schools should be i'm
proved and the needs of secondary schools have already been
considered in these columns What measures should the
State adopt to carry out the propositions stated above when
we pass beyond the elementary and secondary schools
The Carnegie Foundation report emphasizes the fact
that Vermont is agricultural State of small resources and
consequently that the State should seek to educate its
youth in the direction of farming principally. Granting this
shall educate young farmers IN farming alone how 70
increase the productivity Of the soil and improve stock and
does the future of State well the needs
of the Individual demand that young farmers be edu
Gated to become broad and useful citizens well farmers
that they bear their fair share in the future develop
ment of Vermont along broad lines and participate in pub
lie affairs?
If the education of young farmers they take
the part in the and advancement Of agicu
tural State to which they entitled is desired, the
farmers of Vermont whole would undoubtedly INSIST
then they would unquestionaby resent the idea that their
and daughters need nothing beyond education in
better farming and home making.
1t safely be laid down fifth proposition that Yer
mont needs facilities for higher education broader than bet
ter agricultural training would involve and that wants this
broader education for its and daughters at home
they may be encouraged to stay in Vermont.
With institution established which shall provide the
facilities for this broader education, shall hat is
for the young and young Of the future alone
shall we enable the men and women Of to-day who did not
e :
varied facilities? What other States doing in this drec
tion and shall say that because smaller than the
big States shall do nothing? Do say thai because New
York is big and appropriate $500O0000 FOR good roads
"and graft Vermont must do nothing in the way Of good
road building?
Pennsylvania is the home of the college extension idea
the movement which is extending all the United
States, having from Dr. William Pepper former pro-
vost of the University of Pennsylvania The aim of this noted
pubcs and educator to give the individual community
the benefit of lectures on the arts and sciences
What has come to be known the "Wsconsin Idea"
of college extension work goes further aud includes nsuc
ton for and in their communities along
ious practical branches in addition to lectures broad sub
jects. Dr. Charles R. Van Hise Of the University Of Wis
consn has organized classes in various communities about
the State where continuation education impaired by
members of the faculty In addition extended coepon
is conducted and in various knowledge
dfused nquring individuals well collective groups
This work has already been begun in Vermont and it's
well it's feasibility amply demonstrated.
Should the State go to the expense Of 100000
to establish institution for work Of this kind? No,
not afford it. What then shall do? # a man
not afford to build house he and has good home
Just the small farmer hires his reaping done in
stead Of paying the interest and upker Of expensive
reaper. The of small publication does not build
expensive printing office but pays established
flee to print it fov him.
in similar way Vermont can ensure the anordng Of
facilities for higher education which shall also involve col
extension work without going the expense OF owning
its plant 1t does not need to spend than third
Of the money is paying annually to higher education
institutions to accomplish this and the balance with other
additional funds needed be used for the upbudng
of the schools needy rural communities 1t viii
be necessary to ask the farmer pull down his house
repair his barn. SO the State broad education
facilities and college extension work without owning col
ege itself the hand robbing the schools
the other.
In Just what way existing facilities shall be used for
both higher education of youth and college extension
mature workers in communities is not the
ton this time The important thing is that fail not
provide for both these needs well for better rural
schools that mind need Of conservation