The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-31
VAIL TO GOV. GRAHAM.
Does Vermont Need Two Agricultural
Schools What to Do with Prop
erty at Lyndon.

Does Vermont Need Two Agriculture
Schools What to Do with Prop
erty at Lyndon.
January Is, 1917"
"Hon. Horace II. Graham,
Montpelier, vt.
my dear Governor;
II can but infer from what ! hear ant
read that there will be an attempt made
to bring the questions of agriculture
schools into either or both partisan OF
sectional discussion, with possibility Of
an introduction of personalities. That d
question so important in its interests tc
the youth of the state should not be con-
sidered outside of all other than its real
merits is to be deplored, and while hest.
tate to enter into any discussion, ] am
| impelled to present for your considera-
ton, and that of the legislature which
must settle this question, a brief state
ment Of the reasons which lead up to the
present status.
"Some years ago my interest was
aroused in the possibilities for the re-
covery' OF New England agriculture,
which had suffered directly, from the de-
velopment of the virgin lands not only of
our own country but of all the new coun-
tries of the new world, also from the SUI
perior attractiveness OF the industrial
centers for the country youth.
'In an address made at Boston some
years ago as forcible presentment of
this as was possible for me to make, was
made. ! pointed out the effect of and
the elimination of over production fol-
lowed as it has and always will be by
soil exhaustion followed by the adjust
ment Of consumption to productions the
effect of adjacent markets created by the
upbuilding of commerce and industry;
was discussed and analysed, and the con-
clusion could but point to the possibili-
ties here at home, and that New England
agriculture could probably provide for
New England consumption In all food
stuffs that were possible to be raised in
New England.
"And further, that the improvement of
the agricultural working and rural living
conditions had made country life and
rurial industries, as compared with urban
life, superior from every point of view;
that the New England rural youth could
find on the New England farm opportu-
mites that in the near past they would
have had to go elsewhere to find.
at was pointed out also that i'm every
branch Of industry, the sciences, mechan
les and technique had been greatly adj
vanced. That not only had reasons been
found for practices followed by tradition,
but new methods and new practices had
Laax 3aI avI taJ
out by the research and investiga ton of
learned and able men working in labora
tories.
at was also pointed out beyond qnes-
ton that to avail OF these opportunities
some knowledge of all that had been
done, some instruction as to how to do
and why it was necessary, must be had.
"The agricultural colleges were many
and good, but they were for different
purpose. and while of advantage to those
who intended to work the farm, were
more advanced than absolutely neces-
sary, took up too much time, and did
not as a rule give the practical training
in the actual work.
"There was needed a school with a
farm and course which would give the !
youth training in actual operation to- |
gether with instruction as to why things |
should be done in certain way and at a |
certain time, which would condense into |
A couple Of years practical training and |
education which could only be acquired in |
years If at all on the farm and at the |
high school, and 1t should be put within |
the reach Of all.
"That was the genesis of the Lyndon |
Agricultural school At that time there
had been no school of its kind in Yer
mont. whatever there might have been
elsewhere. There was no discussion
about an idea of establishing one in Yer
mont 1t was started to demonstrate
md establish the idea and the necessity. /
That this was done, was demonstrated by
he demand for similar school in every
'ounty, and the transformation Of one OF
he normal schools of the state into an
agricultural school, and that course in
Igriculture should be given at the high
ehools.
"The teaching of the theory in the high
chool should be encouraged and intro |
luced as well, and where the practical I
raiiting can be had at home it will be of
IVA UsHfHb, pui WIN lAt bNsb vi tettNh- /
ng and the best of training, not co-ordi- !
ated as it can only be done at a special {
chool, the result can never be equal to
hat of a special school Ia
"The question before the legislature is L
ot whether there shall be agricultural Is
chools, but whether those that are to be /
arried on shall be carried on in such q
iay as will be effective and in a way /
there the money expended shall produce j
esults and not be wasted n
Each school should be properly Ic
quipped, stalled and maintained for the Il
minimum of students. As
lany schools should be provided as there $
las demand to supply students. Sec Y
onal or partisan influences should not q
overn except so far as the distribution S
e made to make them the most con- /
enient to the student. {
ITO have anything less than the best a
ossiblelis a crime to the youth, in that
is whole life is shaped and influenced by
lesc years OF work; and il the influence
bad or the education deficient. it is
My the exceptional few who will recover
ON it,
4