74 THE GROUNDSWELL. 



The statistics of the book trade, however, show that the 

 average farmer is not an average reader, either of books or 

 newspapers especially of those devoted to his profession. 

 But farmers, although working slowly for the better in this 

 respect, are nevertheless working surely. The rising gener 

 ation is thirsting after knowledge, and when it has fairly en 

 tered the arena of public action must, if its predecessors 

 do not, solve the problem of the social and political equal 

 ity of the masses. 



OUR DEFECTIVE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. 



One great difficulty is that our &quot;higher system &quot; of edu 

 cation has tended to bring labor into contempt. Happily, 

 this also is being changed. The elements of science are now 

 taught in many of our common schools, though imperfectly, 

 in most cases, and through the old groove-channels of the 

 dead past. Our colleges are beginning to see the necessity 

 of instruction in the practical application of science. Our 

 agricultural colleges, especially, are manifesting a just ap 

 preciation of that higher education which teaches of things 

 rather than of theories. 



The &quot; coming farmer &quot; must be educated to a fairer and 

 broader comprehension of the true status of the masses, and 

 the advancement of the industries. He must study for his 

 business, just as the merchant does for his, and as the pro 

 fessional man does for his. This attainment is growing 

 easier every day ; for, with the progressive settlement of 

 a country, the agricultural masses become less and less seg 

 regated, and neighborhood Clubs, Granges, and social re 

 unions are more and more possible. 



If the farmer and the artisan longer refuse to do their 

 share in the education to ; and the legislation for, the great 



