84 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE COLLEGE CAN GO OUT TO THE PEOPLE. 



The function of the college is to prepare teachers, and there is no field 

 more valuable than this that the trained teachers of the college may go 

 out and in tachers' institutes, and in public schools to some extent, meet 

 the patrons and the children, and help them along this line of instruction. 

 The benefits that shall come from the introduction of studies of this na- 

 ture touching the great industrial interests of this country can not be 

 measured. 



When we come to apply the advantages which education will give to 

 those who attempt the management of the soil, theje will come to them 

 the same benefits which have come to the trained men in professional 

 work, and it is for this reason that our agriculture is suffering today. At a 

 time when the profits have been growing less and less, the difficulties of 

 production have materially increased, through wonderful multiplication 

 of insects and fungus development which has inpaired the ability of farm- 

 ers in point of prosperity in their business. They have never had educa- 

 tion or training to equip them to successfully cope with these difficulties, 

 with the result that they are overwhelmed and overborne by the losses 

 which come to them from various causes which they have not ability or 

 training to meet. To illustrate directly 



HOW^ THIS WORK MAY BE INTRODUCED 



into our schools, we will choose one subject — the apple. Here are two 

 specimens to be brought before the school — one beautiful and perfect, 

 and the other imperfect, and ruined in its value. The two samples are 

 presented to the class — they are called upon to choose which one they 

 would take if they had the opportunity — always choosing the perfect 

 fruit, of course. The reason is asked why the other apple is not chosen — 

 then comes forth a volley of answers that it is poor, that it is unattrac- 

 tive, that it is wormy; and when the last reason is given then the vital 

 part of the subject is reached. What has caused this defective specimen 

 and destroyed its value? The history then is taken up of the codling 

 moth — what it is, where it comes from, and how it gets in its destructive 

 work; and as this life history is briefly given then the instruction should 

 be carried a little farther, as to how it may be controlled. The damage 

 that comes from this one little insect in New York state to the apples 

 and pears will aggregate, annually, three millions of dollars, and it is 

 possible, through the agency of our public schools, to disseminate infor- 

 mation that shall reduce this loss certainly more than fifty per cent. 

 This not only interests the children in the public schools, but, as the sub- 

 ject touches the very life existence of their parents, who are depending 

 upon orchards as their great source of income, it will appeal to them in 

 the strongest manner as a work of instruction that has great value to 

 them; and hence the objection that the farmers would not accept this 

 line of instruction in our public schools will be effectually met at this 

 point. In the experimental stage of this work in Westchester county, in 

 New York, there were many farmers who came to listen to these lectures, 

 and they were quickly convinced of the great value which it would be to 

 their children. I would not confine this line of instruction to our rural 

 schools, but I would 



