NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



69 



period of four years ; the other part, where the stakes 

 ■were inserted in the ordinary way, required resliarp- 

 ening the second spring. Such testimony, coming as 

 it docs from valuable sources, ought at least to have 

 some weight in our minds ; and even though it 

 should fail to produce actual conviction, it ought to 

 induce us to make experiments, by which, ultimately, 

 we could not fail of arriving at the truth. By char- 

 ring slightly the surface of wood intended to be 

 inhumed in the soil, either for fencing or other pur- 

 poses, its durability is greatly increased. Posts, so 

 prepared, last a long time ; so also do stakes. 



A MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARMER. 

 Dec. 1, 1S49. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



[Concluded from p. 42.] 



Jan. 29, at the agricultural meeting, Hon. Mr. 

 Daggett in the chair, the discussion of this subject 

 was continued. 



Hon. M. P. Wilder commenced the discussion 

 with-an ably written and elaborate discourse. He 

 spoke of the importance of agricultural education, 

 he alluded to various agricultural schools in Europe, 

 and he thought that some of them might serve as 

 models by modifying them so that they would be 

 Americati, adapted to our climate and wants. He 

 suggested, that if a school with a model farm was 

 established at an expense of $100,000, or $150,000, 

 it would then support itself with various professor- 

 ships and good practical cultivators. He said that 

 periodicals had done much, and were destined to do 

 more, by awakening inquiry and communicating 

 information, and the same effect is also produced by 

 agricultural exhibitions ; and much may be done by 

 agricultural books and libraries. Arrangements may 

 be made in our Normal schools to fit teachers to 

 give instruction in this important branch in our com- 

 mon schools. 



Mr. Buckminister, of the Ploughman, said that we 

 must not begin on too large a scale. If the farm is 

 too extensive, it will grow up to weeds, the fences 

 will be neglected, and the cattle will all run togeth- 

 er. In establishing an agricultural institution, it 

 should not be built so high that only a few can stand 

 on it. It must be Avithin the reach of those in com- 

 mon circumstances. We need more information in 

 botany and other sciences. An agricultural institu- 

 tion should be on the plan of a manual labor school. 

 ITiose who attend our colleges learn but little that 

 fits them for the practical purposes of life, and for 

 want of exercise their health is destroyed. 



John W. Proctor, Esq., president of the Essex Agri- 

 cultural Society, sent the following communication 

 on this subject, which was read before the meeting : — 



I hoped to bo present at the discussion of the 

 question, How can the state best subserve the inter- 

 ests of the farmer? Discussions of this kind can- 

 not fail to be productive of benefit. The people 

 need only to be informed of what is proper to be 

 done, and the means will readily be at command, to 

 insure its being accomplished. What praiseworthy 

 object was ever commenced by Massachusetts, that 

 she failed to comijletc r 



When the executives of New York and ^lassachu- 

 setts, as well as the executive of the nation, all join 



with one accord to advance the education of the 

 farmer, who can doubt there will be a cordial re- 

 sponse from the people ? Will the farmers hesitate 

 in providing for themselves, when all others are 

 anxious it should bo done ? The proposition admits 

 of but one reply. 



I hoped to sec some definite plan of action sub- 

 mitted for consideration. I am aware it is much 

 easier to speak in general terms, than to propose any 

 thing definite, that shall bo free from exception. 

 But until this is done, very little progress will be made. 



I know it is sometimes said, that the state has been 

 munificent in her appropriations to other professions 

 and other employments, but has done notliing, or com- 

 parativelj' nothing, for the farmer. I do not so un- 

 derstand the facts. I think ^lassachusetts has done 

 much for the promotion of agricultural science, in 

 the liberal encouragement she has given to agricul- 

 tural societies ; and through the medium of these, 

 much for the ins.truction of the farmer. I think that 

 kind of knowledge which is elicited by our own 

 efforts, and matured by our own experience, is al- 

 ways the most valuable and abiding. Has not the 

 state, within the last thirty years, appropriated at 

 least, $200,000 for this purpose ? Is it right to dis- 

 regard what has been done ? Should we not be 

 grateful for favors received, and thereby show our- 

 selves worthy of others to be bestowed ? 



How can we do better than to follow the lead of 

 the intelligent state of New Y'ork, in investigating 

 this matter ? The first movement there was the ap- 

 pointment of an intelligent commission, selected 

 from diff'erent sections of the state, to frame a plan 

 of action, and report to the legislature. Such a 

 plan has already been reported, and is now before 

 them for consideration. With such modifications a.s 

 our climate and condition may demand, may it not 

 be worthy of our consideration also ? I do not mean 

 to say that Massachusetts should adopt the same, 

 or a similar one to that of New Y''ork ; but I do say, 

 that the course there taken seems to be wise and 

 judicious, and the most eligible way of devising a 

 successful mode of operation. 



First and foremost, in any movement of the kind, 

 it is necessary to satisfy the people of its feasibility 

 and utility. An agricultural enterprise should be 

 ^txictly practical, not speculative. If overloaded Avith 

 fanciful theories, it will not be sustained. It must 

 be within the comprehension, to command the appro- 

 bation, of the farmers. 



For instance, if an attempt should be made to 

 carry on an experimental farm, by the a])plication 

 of some chemical compounds, or new-modcUcd ma- 

 nure, exclusive entirely of the ordinary materials 

 and modes of manuring, — siieh an attempt would 

 fail to find favor with most of our farmers. A school 

 thus managed Avould not be approved. Prciixisting 

 notions and prejudices must to some extent bo re- 

 garded. The practical farmer has many valuable 

 rules of action in his operations; though not al- 

 ways ready to give an intelligible explanation of 

 these rules. By force of habit ho iiscs them, and 

 acquires confidence in their \ise. It is therefore of 

 the first importance to secure his favorable opinion, 

 that he may be induced to permit his son to submit 

 to the proposed system of education. The sons of 

 good farmers will be found the be.it materials from 

 which good farmers can be made. City notions and 

 genteel accomplishments are of little value on the 

 farm. They had bettor not be learned. 



How can the state most satisfactorily make ap- 

 propriations for the benefit of the fanner ? Three 

 modes have occurred to my mind. 



1. By the establishment of a Central School, with 

 an extensive experimental farm attached ; on which, 

 one half of the term of attendance of pupils, at 

 least, shall be applied to labor. 



