ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



65 



mon schools of this state by imparting instruction in the art, of teaching 

 and also branches of study which pertain to a common school educa- 

 tion in the elements of the natural sciences, including agriculture, 

 chemistry, vegetable fertility, etc." Such language is found in the Act 

 establishing the Southern Illinois Normal University, and not a normal 

 school in the state until last year has done anything along this line.. 



At the dedication of the Southern Normal University, John R. Tan-' 

 ner said at Charleston, in 1899,: "My suggestion is that greater em- 

 phasis be put upon the teaching of the elements of agriculture. Too 

 long this has been neglected; ours is pre-eminently an agricultural and 

 horticultural state, and the main wealth is our soil. It is in the inter- 

 est of the state, as well as the individual that its fertility be maintain- 

 ed. To do this it must be manured with brains. Our young people who 

 are to become owners of the soil must be so educated that .they can read 

 intelligently and appreciate the literature of the farm, including the re- 

 ports from the experiment stations, as well as the scientific part of 

 the best journals." 



I think that this Association could have an influence in the right 

 direction, by deciding that it shall be done in accordance with the law. 



Another thing that would help indeed, would be the leadership of 

 Harvey, who said: "I recommend that the present law relating to 

 the qualifications of teachers be so amended as to require an examina- 

 tion in the elements of agriculture in addition to the other subjects upon 

 which the examination is required for a third grade certificate." 



And another thing that would help would be visits to this univer- 

 sity. Under the leadership of Supt. Kern of Winnebago county, in the 

 spring of 1902, 285 young people visited the Agricultural College of Cham- 

 paign. Mr. Hunt and Mr. Thompson of McHenry county organized a 

 party of 175 for the same purpose. Col. Mills went with 150 from San- 

 gamon county. Then Christian county said she would beat them all, 

 and did too, under the leadership of Mrs. Anna Louisa Darbre, wit»h 350 

 people visited the College. I read the other day of a boy 16 years of age 

 who was never on the cars before. Think of the revelations to come 

 down her and see the work that is being done. They should be more of 

 these excursions. 



