114 Amcricnn HorficuHvrtil Society. 



where <ilher j)n.fessions are taught, in order that the boys' horizon ni:iy be 

 kept rircuniscribed by a dense "agricultural atmosphere." 



Truly, this is a singular methotl for elevating the pursuit of agriculture, 

 whether in thr> ostiniation of the j)ublic or of the boys themselves. When 

 jiiainly formulated, its two fundamental propositions are: First, that it is 

 objectionable, or improper, for a farmer's son not to becon>e a farmer, also, 

 even though his natural aptitude might lie in a totally different direction. 

 Second, that farming i.s in any case too lowly and uninviting a pursuit to 

 bear comparison with other occupations; and, hence, these must, if possible, 

 be kept out of the boys' view. 



The first proposition is intrinsically obnoxious anywhere, and peculiarly 

 un-American. The second is a stultification of the very claim so strongly 

 and justly insisted on. that farming is an occupation dignified not only by 

 its fundamental importance, but also by the call it makes upon the judg- 

 ment and intellect when properly understood, and that it makes men inde- 

 pendent and self reliant — forms them, in fact, into the very bone and sinew 

 of a roi)i:l)lican i)eoi)le. 



Farming, when intelligently taught, as when intelligently carried on 

 need not fear comparison with any other occupation. It is only when the 

 teaching forme merely a somewhat systematized continuation of the dull 

 routine of 2inpr(.gressive farming that the latter sufl'ers in the comparison. 

 The progressive farmers, then, are the last persons that should object to 

 their sons' being taught their profession in the full light of literature and 

 modern science, as is done in most of our agricultural colleges. But these 

 colleges, in number as well as in means, are ridiculously inadequate to cope 

 directly with the real evil complained of, the Hight of the boys from the 

 farm, for they can not educate, no matter by what process, any numerically 

 considerable proportion of the agricultural population. Supposing even 

 that it was their particular business to convert every one of their students 

 unto farming, their effect upon the whole population would be only as a 

 drop in the bucket, unless the superior quality (f the education, as well as (f the 

 men, shoidd make them the future leaders of their industry. To etlucate such 

 men, who, by precept or example, or both, shall lead the way, I consider to 

 be the true province of the agricultural colleges, and by far the most effectual 

 mode of action in the direction desired by the pro>;ressive clement among 

 the farmers. A little of such leaven of high quality will leaven the whole 

 mass much more effectually than would scores of half-trained men, whose 

 stinted education and halt-knowledge would but serve to obscure their prac- 

 tical sen.s^ and throw discredit ujm)!! rational farming. 



If, then, it is physically impossible that the agricultural colleges should 

 educate the rank and file of the agricultural population, and if, on the con- 

 trary, they can best serve the cause of agriculture by educating the leaders 

 of progress, is it not obvious that that education should be of the broadest 

 kind, and should qualify the student not merely to be a successful farmer, 

 but should also enable him to cope successfully in public life with the trained 



