STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 95 



provided for favored Americans. One of these is that noble, benefi- 

 •cent institution, the Chautauquan, which, with its thousands upon 

 thousands of students, is doing an inestimable amount of good work 

 in promoting general intelligence and diffusing knowledge of litera- 

 ture, science and art in all places where the English tongue is spoken. 

 Here is a means of acquiring knowledge which every farmer's fam- 

 ily, if it has not already adopted, ought, at least, to be considering. 

 1 speak of this course first not because it makes a specialt}' of scien- 

 tific branches or because it is designed especially for farmers but 

 because it is such an excellent appetizer for all kinds of home study. 

 There have been of late various excellent works arranged with par- 

 ticular reference to farmers' use. Among them the publications of 

 Prof. Fernald formerly of the State College deserve a favorable 

 mention. 



The scientific works used in our schools of lower grade than the 

 college will be found well adapted to the general reader. If not 

 familiar with the titles or the place of sale of books on these sub- 

 jects, a little inquiry will soon bring the desired information. Farm- 

 ers' clubs have sometimes, among other good things, purchased more 

 or less of a library ; so also have local granges here and there. The 

 practice ought to become universal with such organizations, and 

 such libraries, if well selected, would have a due proportion of sci- 

 entific works. 



These are a few of the helps that may be looked to by those who, 

 from reason of years or other causes, cannot enjoy the privileges of 

 schools ; but we hope the farmers' boys, who are going to be farmers 

 themselves, may have the aid of competent instructors in introduc- 

 ing them to the pleasure and profit a knowledge of the natural sci- 

 ences surel}- has in store for them. Happily even our common 

 district schools are often found nowadays with instructors who 

 can teach the elements of some of these branches and, by object 

 lessons or other pleasant methods, educate — draw out — the mind in 

 search for scientific truth. Better still when this early training is 

 supplemented by attendance at some of the higher institutions. A 

 full course at an agricultural college will prove, we believe, a good 

 investment of time and money. 



Before leaving this part of the subject I cannot refrain from sa}'- 

 ing that I hope the day is not far distant when the public schools of 

 Maine will pay more attention to the study of the natural sciences. 

 Thereby they would not only do much to increase the general intel- 

 ligence but would confer a special benefit on agricultural interests, 



