208 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of knowing the tastes of those living in rural districts, for at the best the num- 

 ber of books to which we have access is limited, and at times it is Hobson's 

 choice. AVheu we have a good library in every school district, and many 

 already have the nucleus where we see leading men of the day like Dr. Vincent 

 and his colleagues interesting themselves to make history and allied reading 

 compete with fiction; when we see reason demanding something real instead 

 of sensational, then shall we expect to see difiierent statistics from those now 

 shown by our public libraries. Although history is the backbone of all knowl- 

 edge, its ribs spring forth to embrace not only mere facts and dates but art, 

 science, poetry, travels, language, and whatever has been in use in the past 

 relating to our improvement and advancement. Nor would I exclude good 

 works of fiction, for they introduce us to different classes of society, new places 

 and people, and various customs; but to read nothing else tends to frivolity, 

 conceit, and little power of concentration. There is always something good in 

 every book ; perhaps only a few lines to be remembered, the balance to be for- 

 gotten or skipped, and proper skipping, never overlooking that which is of 

 use, is truly an art obtained by few. Too many can say of a book, I have read 

 it, and when asked what can you tell of it, why I know, 1 know I have read it. 

 Few mistakes will be made in proper selection of books if one will let commoii 

 sense decide as to what are wholesome and helpful to him personally then read 

 carefully, regarding parts if necessary until you are familiar with the text. 

 We must not forget the periodicals and newspapers, for they contain much 

 that is brightest and best of our literature. We can ignore the story papers 

 that neither instruct nor amuse and not lose anything, but every one should 

 have general, State, and local news, and papers allied to his particular branch. 

 Our better nature demands that our reading shall be broad, deep, and unfail- 

 ing, theoretical and practical, something, that if "Civilized man cannot live 

 without cooks," intellectual man cannot live without books and papers. Much 

 might be said and yet the half not be told. I fear I have already trespassed 

 on the time of the institute for I was warned to be brief, hence I ask your 

 indulgence. 



EDUCATING FAEMERS' BOYS. 



BY K. P. LATTA. 

 fKcad at the Otsego Institute.] 



It was somewhat strange to me just why a lawyer, who is in no sense a farmer^ 

 should be honored with any position at a farmers' institute ; but this I do know, 

 that I esteem it an honor to meet the intelligent farmers of Allegan county,, 

 assembled at an institute like the present, to discuss important questions of 

 agriculture, and if my fifteen years' experience as county superintendent of 

 schools, and as a teacher, has qualified me in any measure to say anything 

 that will benefit any one here to-night, it will give me the greatest pleasure. 



When we come to consider the importance of agriculture, we are led to con- 

 clude that it is the source of all other pursuits, and that we are interested in 

 making its profession a success. How to educate the farmer's boy, and keep 

 him on the farm cannot be arrived at in any way by the adoption of any set 



