California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 8, Number 15, 23 October 1857 — Agricultural Education [ARTICLE]

Agricultural Education

Tin: recent attack upon the name, fame ntnl Character, ns also the qualifications of the farmers of California, by the Her. Dr. Buihnell of Ilnrtford, Ct., nnd lato of this city, should cull forth from ono end of the Stato to the other n determination on their part to wipo out the stigma thrown upon them, by giving an earnest attention to tho cause of Education in their several counties; and in this connection, tako immediate measures to see that tho great elenientury principles of Agriculture are introduced and studied in our schools, as ono of tho fundamental brandies of study. Why is it that Ihe elementary principles of a science that is to bo the means of giving employment and support to threo-fifths of our population, are not introduced iuto our Public Schools ? Why is it that those whose duty it is to study tho wants of our schools, and to supply their wants, havo never conceived tho importance of Agricultural text books for boys, that are destined to become the tillers of the soil ?

We wouKl liko to know how often the State Superintendent visits the several counties to consult with tho supervisors, with county superintendents, or the parents, relative to the wants of the School department, or tho scholars that belong to the county. We would liko to know, too, why a law was passed forbidding a School Teacher from becoming a County Superintendent of Schools? Wus it because the Party wanted the office for some favorite, or was it lest our schools should advance too rapidly if those best qualified to manage schools should have the superintendence of each county? At least, it seems a very strange course for legislators to take, to forbid one skilled in teaching to take part in tho managing thereof; but when politicians only aro tho governors and controllers of Educution, but little progress can bo hoped for. Wo believe the cause of Public Instruction is making a retrograde movement, and we judge so from the fact that citizens in various portions of tho State are giving their chief interest to private institutions, from the fact of the low condition of our Public Schools.

But to Agricultural instruction. We trnst this subject will not bo lost sight of the coming winter. We hope the farmers of California will endeavor to have the foundation laid for giving to the present generation of boys a thorough knowledge of Agricultural science, as far as it can be taught by books in our Public Schools. If these schools do not introduce it, wo hope our private seminaries of learning will do it. Wo were glad to hear of the interest manifested for this Scienco by the pupils of tho Collegiate Institute at Benicia, under the prospering and fostering care of C, J. Flatt, Esq. This Institute is ono of tho best in our State for boys, and we learned at our last visit to it, that Mr. Flatt intends to open an Agricultural department the coming session, and ull those parents that have sons who wish them to be educated fanners, will now havo an opportunity, and wo trust they will improve it. We hope the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society will look to this matter, and use their influence to advance this cause, and that they will offer a handsome bounty the present year, for the best Text book of Agriculture for our Public Schools, tho work to bo truly Californian.

When the State Superintendent and the County Superintendents shall look to tho wants of the children under their charge, they will see that Agricultural Science, as a study for the boys of California, demand their immediate attention.