THE 
AG 
mAGAZine. 
COLOMBO. 
Added as a Supplement Monthly to the "TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST." 
March -.— 
The following; p;io;es incliifle the Contents of the AgrkvMural Magazine for- 
Vol. XIL] 
MARCH, IJ^Ol. 
[No. 9. 
AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION FOR 
VILLAGE YOUTHS. 
N our last issue we took over two 
interesting articles on this subject 
but had no opportunity of adding 
our own views. As might have 
been inferred, however, from 
the absence of comment on 
our part, we are entirely in sympathy with the 
mdvement that has found favour in England, as 
well as the Australian and West Indian Colonies, 
and do not hesitate to say that the system of 
agricultural instruction in rural schools may be 
expected to be as fruitful of good results in Ceylon 
as elsewhere. 
It must be borne in mind that what is aimed at 
by tliis new scheme is not technical education in 
the science and practice of agriculture, but rather 
the directing of the young mind to the study of 
nature, so that the natural surroundings of the 
village lad may present new beauties and fresh 
interests and possibilities to him and reconcile him 
to the so-called dull monotony of a country lift>. 
To most of our village population 'the geimiua- 
tion, developement and reproduction of vegetation 
are a mystery, and the realization that plants are 
living and breathing organisms performing all 
the vital functions of such, must come as a 
great revelation to the majority of our rural 
friends. A knowledge of the forces of nature 
as they work through plant and soil, the 
wofaderful adaptations of these forces and the 
interdipendeuce of the mineral, vegetable and 
animal kingdoms is what is wanting in the villager 
who sees nothing of design and recognises 
little of the sequence of cause and effect in his 
"common round and daily task." Under such 
circumstances is it any wonder that he becomes 
discontented with his lot, which he is wont 
to associate with manual labour pure and simple? 
Jerome, in one of his books, has a beautiful passage 
referring to the companionship of plants It i« 
this companionship whicli the new scheme 
seeks to establish in order that the life of 
the rustic may present a new charm fw 
him which so long it lacked, and his environment' 
appeal to his instincts in a manner that he has 
never experienced before. 
An intelligent knowledge of nature in her 
various phases should be so much power in the 
possession of the youth of the village, which 
he will be able to use to his advantage. With such 
knowledge his lot will be infinitely more congenial 
to him, his prospects more cheerful and (what is 
devoutly to be wished) his inclination will be to 
remain amid his rural surroundings and apply him- 
self to the cultivation of the land with a new zest. 
Thus it is to be hoped will the people of the country 
be led to develope its agricultural resources, and 
while the cities are relieved of the congestion of 
disappointed place seekers, the country be made the 
home of the industrious and contented husbandman 
bent on making the most of his newly-recog- 
nised opportunities. We trust the hope wiJl; 
be realized. 
