504 Education for Farmers. 
from experience or observation; and as such facts are illustrated, 
throwing them in the way of others at so cheap a rate that every 
individual may become a purchaser, and often at a great saving 
in the value of information above the purchase price. How often 
we have heard it said that " in such a paper I found an article 
worth more to me than twice the yearly subscription price?" 
And how much oftener should we have such explanations if all 
farmers were patrons of such papers and read them as those read 
who search for knowledge? Every farmer who would " look well 
to the ways of his household" — who would have his children re- 
spect his profession and " rise up and call him blessed," should 
not only take and read, but encourage his family to do the same, 
one or more journals. 
An important means of educating farmers, especially the rising 
generation, the hope of the land, may be found in the common 
school. We approve of agricultural professorships in colleges 
of agricultural schools, and hail their rising as bright heralds of 
the day, when the profession of the cultivator of the earth shall 
be elevated to the high position which nature and nature's God 
assigned it when man in his purity was placed in the garden 
which the fingers of the Lord had planted " to dress and keep it." 
Much benefit will come from these institutions. But as we sur- 
mised their benefits cannot immediately be extended to all. A 
large proportion of the young who are hereafter to become the 
successful farmers of this country, will have no benefits of in- 
struction beyond what the common school, and this perhaps for a 
limited period, will afford. Knowledge will tend as much to their 
advancement and happiness as it will to that of others. The 
means of acquiring it then, should be placed within their reach. 
This can be done successfully no where but in the humble school 
room that lifts its unassuming roof on the learner. We anticipate 
no difficulty, a starting point once obtained in accomplishing this 
object. We hear the objection that we are crowding too many 
studies into our common schools; but it should be remembered 
that the first things for us to learn should be those of most prac- 
tical importance in after life. And are the studies now pursued 
in these seminaries all of this character? If so, let them remain 
and add to their importance those of other branches, such as ag- 
ricultural chemistry and such other natural sciences as are inti- 
mately connected with the labors of the field or the garden. 
There will be room enough for all if there is a disposition in 
parents to encourage and in the scholars to pursue them. 
The want of suitable teachers to instruct in these branches, 
may seem an apparent obstacle to their advancement, but it is in 
no way an insurperable one. In a short time w^e hope our colleges 
and agricultural schools will be furnished an abundance of such 
