NEW 
m TO IMPROVE THE SOIL AND THE MIND.” 
SERIES. 
VoL. II. 
ALBANY, DECEMBER, 1S45. 
No. 12. 
the cultivator 
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JToretgn Correspondence. 
MR. NORTON’S LETTERS—No. XVIII. 
Prof. Johnston's Lectures an the Introduction of the study 
of Agriculture into Schools. 
Laboratory of Ag. Chem. Association, < 
Edinburgh, Sept 10, 1845. 1 
L. Tucker, Esq.—A year ago, in a letter dated the 
24th of this month, I mentioned that Prof. Johnston had 
just deliverel two lectures to the parochial schoolmasters 
of Scotland, at their annual meeting, upon the introduc 
tion of Agricultural Chemistry into the Parish schools. 
Those lectures, as I then mentioned, were received 
ivith much approbation, and their permanent effect has 
been shown by the adoption of this branch of instruction 
into about 90 schools. This year, the schoolmasters in 
vited Prof. Johnston again to appear before them and 
give more fully his ideas, as to the kind, extent, and 
manner, of instruction necessary. In accordance with 
this request, he on Thursday the 18th, delivered the first 
of three Lectures, to about 250 of the teachers. 
In the commencement, he asked, why is it important 
that the schoolmaster should teach this branch of know-! 
ledge? Because it has become of acknowledged import¬ 
ance that it should be diffused, and because the only 
way in which this diffusion can be made lasting and uni¬ 
versal, is through the rising generation. 
“ But,” he continued, “ let it not be understood that it 
is chemistry we want taught; it is only chemistry so far 
as-it is applied directly to Agriculture. More than this 
would only overload the mind and injure the cause it 
was intended to serve. To the same end would tend 
the endeavors of the great mass of teachers to make them¬ 
selves analytical‘chemists. They might get far enough! 
to make imperfect researches, and therefore draw incor¬ 
rect conclusions, but more they could not do without 
entirely neglecting their other pursuits and duties. 
“All that is necessary for the primary schools, is the 
Catechism. This little work contains the great out¬ 
lines and divisions of the science, and it imparts a know¬ 
ledge of those few scientific words and important sub¬ 
stances, which the cultivator of the soil must acquaint 
the methods of performing the experiments therein men¬ 
tioned, the Professor here took it up, and proceeded 
through, explaining every point upon which darkness 
might rest, and performing all of the experiments. 
These are very simple, but the sight of their perform¬ 
ance would enable those who are unaccustomed to chem¬ 
ical manipulation, to perform them much more easily 
and satisfactorily. 
This exposition of the Catechism, occupied three 
days, and was delivered to deeply attentive and inte¬ 
rested auditors. At the conclusion, every doubt seemed 
to have disappeared from the minds of all present, as to 
the simplicity and beauty of the great outlines of the 
science, which had been laid before them. Though 
in themselves the result of years of labor, guided by 
the highest scientific intellect, they are given in such a 
form that any boy of ordinary capacity may understand 
them. I have lately been in several schools where boys 
of 12 and 14, not only understood, but applied these 
principles to such farms as fell under their observation. 
Many have acknowledged that much benefit might re¬ 
sult from this instruction, but at the same time contended, 
that it would be more than balanced by the injury done 
to other studies. This objection is, I think, completely 
answered by the fact that Prof. Johnston, from the re¬ 
sults of actual experience, now recommends that only 
half an hour a week, be devoted to this branch, and even 
that only during the last year at school. Of course, each 
teacher may if he chooses, still farther impress the boys 
by an occasional Saturday afternoon’s walk, over some 
neighboring farm, making such observations as the state 
of the land and mode of culture suggest. 
At the conclusion of the lectures, Mr. Milne, deputy 
advocate of Scotland, made a most admirable and elo¬ 
quent speech, upon the progress of agricultural educa¬ 
tion, a cause in which he is deeply interested, and which 
he has most powerfully contributed to forward. He ex¬ 
pressed his great gratification at the spirit which pre¬ 
vailed, and the movement which was commencing, 
among the Scottish schoolmasters; and sketched in gra¬ 
phic language, the improved condition of all classes of 
the community, when the best system of cultivation should 
be everywhere adopted. Not only an additional popu¬ 
lation would be maintained by the increased supply of 
food, but would be maintained in a greater degree of 
comfort through the increased demand for laborers. 
Prof. Pillans, of Edinburgh University, in seconding a 
vote of thanks to Prof. Johnston, bestowed upon him a 
tribute of cordial and well merited praise. He avowed 
that he had come to these lectures prejudiced against 
the cause they were intended to advance, but confessed 
himself to have become an entire convert. “ So clear 
had the whole subject been made, so completely hau 
doctrines founded upon the most abstruse principles of 
science been simplified, that he could not refrain from 
expressing his delight. The lecturer, with a scientific 
mind of the highest order, delighting to grapple with 
the most difficult problems of nature, had not been for 
one mome«4 tempted from his object of giving simple 
instruction. He hoped and believed, that the ScottisI 
schoolmasters, urged by every consideration, would lent 
! their energies seriously to this new task, and maintaii 
himself with.” 
In order to show more fully the plan of this little ' that high character which they had always borne.” 
work, and to exhibit to those unskilled in such matters 1 That the effect of these lectures will be lasting I can 
