The Separate Schools 155 



It is well to consider what the effect of this 

 system of isolation will be on educational 

 policy. The people will patronize these agri- 

 cultural schools because they will be useful and 

 significant schools. More than most other 

 schools, they will teach the essentials, — that is, 

 they will teach persons how to live. More of 

 these schools will be demanded. A duplicate 

 system of public education will arise. It is easy 

 to see the ultimate result : if the common 

 schools do not redirect themselves, they are 

 lost. 



I mean to say that the common schools need 

 agriculture in order to save themselves. Of 

 course, I mean agricultural education in its 

 broadest and rightful sense, — the training of a 

 man by means of country life or rural subjects, 

 not merely the making of farmers. My old- 

 time school friend will laugh at me when I tell 

 him that his school is in danger, but I cannot 

 be mistaken, and for the very good reason 

 that his school is inadequate. 



Gradually, however, we shall find the public 

 schools readjusting themselves. They will 



