AGRICULTURE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS 



The following extracts from the School Bulletin, which pub- 

 lished the full address by Commissioner Draper of the New York 

 State Education Department, are worthy of serious considera- 

 tion by those planning so-called agriculture for schools below 

 high-school grade: 



"The agricultural situation is absolutely distinct from any 

 other industrial situation, and if it is ever niet efficiently it will 

 have to be met in a very distinct way. It will never be met by 

 making the agricultural schools of the country primary schools. 

 The children are too young to want much agriculture in the 

 elementary schools: they want English, and mathematics, and 

 the elementary sciences there. The primary children in the 

 cities stand more in need of agriculture, than the primary 

 children in the country. The primary schools in both city and 

 country are all-around schools. Some of the city children will 

 go to the country; some of the country children will go to the 

 city. The education of the country child is not to be narrowed 

 down to things rural. His books are not to exclude illustrations 

 from, and all other recognition of, rural life, but neither are they 

 to exclude all else. His primary school is to be able to train 

 him in the fundamentals of an all-round man, who will be free 

 from all exclusiveness, and able to study and do to the best 

 advantage anything that his qualities and his tastes may dispose 

 him to study and to do when the time comes. 



"We could not establish exclusive agricultural schools of 

 primary grade, even if we were to get wrong-headed and under- 

 take it. All schools require balanced work until the time for 

 specialization comes. Balanced work requires elements that 

 relate to the country as well as those that relate to the cities, 

 and vice-versa. There are higher laws and fundamental prin- 

 ciples concerning education, and they bear alike upon all parts of 

 the country and upon all manner of people. If we violate these 

 laws or break these principles, the people soon come to realize it 

 and trouble is, as it ought to be, let loose upon us. 



"We have heard much about nature-study. I recognize its 

 value. I intend no offence to those who have much pleasure in 



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