Agricultural Education, 117 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 
BY A. BECKWITH. 
Among the many improvements and reforms which have of late 
been agitated, is that of scientific agricuUural education. As to 
the best mode to effect this object, there is a diversity of opinion; 
some are in favor of the establishment of an agricultural college 
and experimental farm, at the expense of the state. While it is 
believed that the more numerous class of the farming community 
are in favor of the encouragement of the study of agricultural 
chemistry, and the collateral branches in the Normal school, the 
academies and common schools. I prefer the latter course. The 
experiment has been fairly tried in Ireland and Scotland, in the 
common schools, and has succeeded well. This has become mat- 
ter of history, and need only be alluded to, to establish the fact, 
that we may look with safety to our institutions already estab- 
lished and endowed, as the sources in which this desirable object 
can be attained more readily, and at a much cheaper rate than in 
a single institution. Besides, in a single institution but few can 
be educated, and however learned they may be, it will not com- 
pensate for the want of an agricultural education among the great 
farming population of the state. It should be our policy, espe- 
cially ivhen the funds of the state are to he applied, that the many 
should be benefitted rather than the few. If taught in our local 
institutions, this object will be attained. There has been a new 
school book published for this express purpose, on which Colonel 
Young, while superintendent of common schools, held the follow- 
ing language, viz.: 
" I have carefully examined the catechism of Prof. Johnston, on 
agriculture. This little work is the basis of both agricultural art 
and science. A knowledge of its principles is within the compre- 
hension of every child twelve years old ; and if its truths were im- 
pressed on the minds of the j'oung, a foundation would be laid for 
vast improvement in that most important occupation which feeds 
and clothes the human race. 
I hope that parents will be willing to introduce this brief cate- 
chism into the common schools of the state. S. YOUNG, 
Albany, 2ith of January, 1845." 
There is also prepared a chemical apparatus on a small scale, 
and cheap, for the use of common schools; let us then introduce 
the study of agriculture into the Normal school, the academies, 
and common schools. This object once attained, we can send 
our sons, after they have learned what they can in the common 
school, up to the academy, during the winter to study agriculture, 
