1849. 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



179 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 

 BT AC.KICOI . \. 



That a Bystem of Education may be adopted, 

 will give to the Sons of the farmer Buch inform 

 11 be of advantage to him in all the future 



!, I think, be i ; . Differei] 



opinion will doubtles bal thai edu : 



i 1 be. In order to open the way for the exami- 

 nation of this subject, 1 i make son, 



[in my former communicatio , 



The Btudont, at hia entrance, 

 in the common branches of an English Education — 

 and he will then be prepared to enter upon a i 

 of studies that will, it" properly attended to, fit him 

 for the acti i of hia profession. Let il 



be understood, that the pupils are to he employed upon 

 a fan i ' wit! the School, during the entire 



course, and in their last year each is to he placed in 

 special charge of the various departments of the 

 farm, to test his capacity for management, when he 

 is to leave the school. 



The course of instruction which I would recom- 

 mend, should occupy at least three years — and rt 

 should ever be kept in view that the instruction is to 

 be conducted in such a manner, that while the stu- 

 dent is thoroughly instructed in the principl 

 each science, its relation with agric to be 



specially understood, and their practical application 

 fully carried out in the operations of the farm. The 

 farm should be arranged into separate divisions, so 

 that the different, rotations of crops may be pursued, 

 and the advantages or disadvantages of each be ful- 

 ly and practically illustrated for the benefit of the 

 students. A portion of the farm should be allotted 

 for experiments — to be fully carried out under the 

 direction of the teachers, and of which an account 

 should be given to the public as often as deemed ne- 

 cessary. It must be apparent that many experi- 

 ments, to be of any practical value, must be contin- 

 ued through a series of years, before any final de- 

 cision can be had. 



Without descending into a detail of studies to be 

 pursued, it will suffice to say, that the education 

 should be thorough in every respect — including the 

 modern languages, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Botany, 

 Horticulture, Surveying, Agricultural Engineering, 

 Mechanics, Keeping Farm Accounts, Veterinary In- 

 struction, management of manures, k.c, all to be of 

 a practical character, after tho manner of the Poly- 

 technic Schools. The teachers to deliver lectures to 

 the students, to accompany them when necessary to 

 the fields, and in every part of their course, to give 

 them a thorough practical knowledge of every thing 

 incident to the management and successful prosecu- 

 tion of the labors of the farm. The farm to be un- 

 der the direction of a practical farmer, thoroughly 

 versed in every thing that relates to the best method 

 of cultivation suited to this State, and the students 

 to be under his direction, when engaged in the labors 

 of the field. 



It appears to me that an institution may be so ar- 

 ranged as to become what all desire — a thorough 

 educator for the farmer's son, fitting him for his pro- 

 fession, and for all the duties of life to which he 

 may be called. This, too, can be done in a manner 

 to lead the student to appreciate his noble pursuit: 

 it will enable him, when he leaves the institution, to 

 feel that he is upon an equality with the students of 

 any other seminary, and tnat on the great theatre of 

 public life, he is as well prepared as they are to en- 



ter, and that without fear of the competition. I am 



aware thai some of tl itions of our country 



•nducted u I that there is nothing 



new worth ha\ n —but we must plod 



rhich was laid down by 



. that 



.. bich 



i 



" v ,!l affirm, that those 



i that 



ing age, in 



a practical, u. sful di numbered 



among the ■' a fooling 



abroad itutionsad- 



i to a thoro ultural institution. " 



ich an institution should be 

 scale worthy of the Empire State, 

 that its practical character would soon attract to it, 

 m every direction, and the numbers 

 h. It may 

 : hut if it is to prevent us 



from obtaining a belter system, and ono that will 

 secure to the largest portion of our citizens an edu- 

 cation adapted to their profession in life, for which 

 there is now no i rovision? As well might 



the owners of the old suil-boats on the Hudson cry 

 out against the improvements of Fulton, or the dri- 

 ver of the Canastega wagon, against the lightning 

 swift engine as it speeds in hours through our state, 

 instead 3, us he was in the practice of doing. 



It will alter the character of our seminaries — but it 

 will alter them in accordance with the spirit of the 

 age, and with l!i if our institutions, and all 



that is necessary ing institutions, is to adapt 



themselves to the times, so far as may be necessary 

 for their institutions of a general character, and they 

 need not fear but that they too, will be supplied with 

 students who do not design to make the pursuits of 

 the farmer theirs through life. 



Permit me to urge this matter of education upon 

 the consideration of farmers. To you must we look 

 for aid in this matter — and let it not be said, (as it 

 has been in days gone by, and with how much truth 

 I will not say,) " that if any thing is wanted for the 

 improvement of the agricultural interest, you must 

 call upon professional men, not farmers, in the Leg- 

 islature." With the improvements which are taking 

 place in our State — with tho intelligence which ex- 

 ists among farmers in every part of this State — I 

 will not for a moment doubt that you appreciate this 

 subject, and that you will be prepared to make your 

 wishes known, in a manner that shall secure the ac- 

 tion of your representatives. What subject of more 

 importance to you, I ask, can be brought before the 

 Legislature, than the education of the farmer's sons 

 of our state — and if none more important can be, 

 may I not urge you, to see to it, that a matter so vi- 

 tally important shall not fail for want of your support 

 — your open, active, and efficient aid? 



If a railroad is wanted, how quick are the feelings 

 and interest of farmers on its route enlisted. They 

 can expend money and time to secure its charter and 

 to complete it — and when the education of their eons 

 to fit them to usefulness is proposed, can they be un- 

 mindful of how much more importance it is to culti- 

 vate the immortal mind, than to add even to their 

 weal :h, by these increased facilities of communica- 

 tion? It is often said, that farmers know enough al- 

 ready. This may do for those to say, who boast 

 themselves of their superior acquirements — but I 



IL 



