Summer Meeting. 147 



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Here, perhaps, I should close, but I wish to ask what can be done 

 to secure a larger recognition of this education in our schools? We 

 have alread}" seen that horticultural as well as industrial education be- 

 longs to the common school. The report of the Committee on Horti- 

 cultural Education at Peirce City is very valuable. If any of you were 

 not there, you should read it and study it carefully. Some of the 

 recommendations there set forth seem to be bearing fruit. I notice 

 that in the course of study for teachers' institutes this summer nearly 

 one-fourth of it is devoted to practical agriculture. I am sure that if 

 the teachers Avill qualify themselves to do what the State Board has 

 sent out for their institute work, the pupils in all the schools will make 

 more rapid progress in all their other studies next year. 



Such teaching sharpens the intellect, develops observation. ' The 

 pupils soon learn to see things — not to look at them, or necessarily 

 for them, but see them almost without looking. The mind thus 

 -aroused, quickened, sharpened, grasps all the lessons more readilv and 

 lience learns faster. 



We may not get horticulture recognized by name in the curriculum 

 of the public schools, but the youths in these schools will soon get 

 much of that "something under it to start with" in order to get that "intel- 

 ligent experience" Prof. Stanley talked about at Princeton. They 

 will have the foundation laid for that "knowdedge of nature's methods 

 in the economy of plant life and of the conditions of health, growth and 

 fruitage," that will enable the horticulturist of the future tQ "assist 

 jiature by operating upon conditions when they are found to be at 

 fault," far more intelligently and successful!}^ than we have done. 



Mr. Lamm of Sedalia. Mo. — I just w^ant to say a word about this 

 kind of education. You can go through a great many of our schools 

 and not take Greek or Latin at all. I believe this is a good thing. I 

 believe it is because we are becoming more practical in our views of 

 education. I want to say to the people of this town that I believe it is 

 your highest privilege to ask that your teachers take up this work in 

 your schools here. Have them give the pupils some little lessons irt 

 nature study. And in time to come it will develop into something that 

 will surprise you. They are doing this in other places. If you w^ill.try 

 it here, I know you will be pleased with the results. 



