1905.] DISCUSSION, 249 



In order to show just a little of the widespread demand 

 that there is for teaching upon this subject let nie say this: 

 One week ago yesterday it was my privilege to be lecturing in 

 the State of Maine. I have in the past two years spent several 

 weeks in that state, and repeatedly this question has occurred. 

 Two or three times it has been called for as one of the regular 

 set subjects for discussion. Last year I was in Vermont, and 

 the first lecture I made was on this special topic. 



I was also in the State of New Jersey, and every week for 

 several weeks that topic was discussed. Three years ago I 

 was in the State of Ohio, and it was frequently called for 

 there. You know perhaps what has been accomplished in 

 such states as California, Missouri, Wisconsin, and other states 

 which have been mentioned, and it behooves us to keep pace 

 with the procession, and to do all we can to help inaugurate 

 the principles of this system of public instruction into our 

 public schools. We have everything to gain as farmers by as- 

 sisting in the inauguration of this movement. 



In the State of Maine some years ago there was consider- 

 able agitation on this subject. It came up before the legisla- 

 ture, and some twelve years ago they passed, in a hasty, blind 

 way, a law upon this subject, making it compulsory. I think 

 it was a law that agriculture should be taught in the public 

 schools, but without any text-books, without any normal in- 

 struction previously, without any special teachers having been- 

 trained to teach in the schools, the law, of course, could not 

 4iCComplish what it should. The teachers had had no prepara- 

 tion for doing this kind of work, and even if they had it was 

 doubtful if the people at that time were ready to pick up such 

 a movement. I think even in Connecticut we should begin 

 this work by education of the people and discussion of this 

 system before the people whenever we have opportunity. 



The amendment I wish to ofifer is this : That some printed 

 matter, either emanating from the Board of Agriculture or 

 from the Board of Education, or from both, or from the Agri- 



