The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-14


lowing communication, which originally appeared in the
National Intellgsncsr.
AN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
To THE EDIToRs II would seem that the legislature OF
Vermont has reported resolution strongly recommend
ing the establishment OF Bureau OF Agriculture in the
Department of the Interior whose province shall be to
promote the great interests OF agriculture in this country
These interests am sorry to say, have been too much
neglected by the government Commerce and manufac-
tures the two coordinate elements OF national prosperity
have been long udciousy and wisely osered and pro-
noted while apparent Indifference has been shown to
the great and foundation of national character and
independence agriculture II is in the power and should
be the duty OF the government to promote the agricultural
interests not only by the organization OF Bureau OF
Agriculture but to extend its sphere OF usefulness and
Importance BY the establishment OF an Agricultural Col
lege in this District.
The nation has now Military Academy and Ma
val School, where the science of is taught to the
good education at the public expense but paid
for acquiring it, and afterwards commissioned and sup
ported they choose to enter the military service OF their
branch Of national industry which is the great OF
its prosperity and wealth. This should no longer be. 1t
is time that some movement should be made in favor OF
agriculture by Congress, and think this could not be
well effected by the establishment of agricultural
college in this District Such institution, il is obvious
would be attended with immense advantage 10 the people
tfc knowledge Of agriculture, thus in time developing
the exhaustless resources OF the country 1t would
moreover be merely carrying out the system already
Of the portions Of the public lands which have been ap
propriaed for that purpose To such establishment
as the one proposed, no constitutional objection can
properly or reasonably be urged Ii will be in the
District of Columbia, where Congress has exclusive
legislation; and as portions OF the public domain have
very wisely been granted to asylums for the deaf,
dumb and blind in States where those lands do not lie
similar donation might with greater propety be grant
ed for the establishment OF institution in this District
intended TO promote the great interests of agriculture.
Science has done much, and will continue to do
more, for agriculture; and it is important that those
who mean to devote themselves TO this branch OF
industry should be instructed in all the elements of
knowledge which are essentially connected with it.
Botany physiology geology me.eoSogy meonan
branches in general system Of agricultural education
During the last twenty years." says the Edinburgh Re-
vew chemistry has taken the lead in explaining the
processes and illustrating the principles on which the
practice of agriculture depends" How greatly would
the practical farmer be benefited by knowledge Of these
sciences, and how vastly would husbandry be promoted
they early taught to the youth of this country
who are destined TO become farmers the teachers Of
those who OF the plan and nature Of the proposed
institution shall endeavor TO give explanations in
my next GEO. WATTERST0N.