Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-03-14
REPORT
OF THE
Committee on Agriculture and Commerce.
Reported by Mr.. H. JOHNSON, and 500 cop
les ordered to be printed.

ASS 0AuSA0N ~ NC pIluLcd.
The COMMITTEE on Agriculture and Com.
merce, to whom that part of the Governors
Message which relates to the agricultural
interest of the country" was referred and
also sundry resolutions and memorials from
Agricultural Associations and individuals, on
the subject Of an Agricultural Department in
the State University, and State Agricultu-
raj society. beg leave to.
! REPORT:
That the have had the same under considera.
ton, and have carefully compared and consid-
cred the suggestion and recommendations con-
tanned in the message, as well as those of the
petitioners. They have also carefully compar-
ed the views expressed by the petitioners, with
those of his Excellency the Governor and those
OF the Regents of the University, embraced in
their third annual report. under the head of Gap
plication of Science to the useful Arts" to which
the Governor favorable audes in his message :
in all of which, your committee have found a
perfect coincidence of sentiment, in relation to
the importance Of providing literally for the en-
dowment of Department in the University of
Wisconsin for the acquisition and diffusion Of
that knowledge which will enable the tiller of
the soil TO pursue his useful and honest and hon
orable protessionj or calling, with certainty and
| success.
That agricultural science is indispensable TO
the successful pursuit of the husbandman, is no
longer problem to be solved but is universally
admitted by all classes.
That the agricultural interests Of this State
has equal claims upon State bounty, with the
learned professions, your committee feel conf
dent that all will admit.
THAT agricul science, like all other sci
ence, can only be acquired by study and research
and that the discipline Of the school is essen
tial to its acquisition" will also readily be ad-
mit,ed.
Hitherto while the other professions have
had their Departments, their Bureaus, their Ii.
braries, and their Lyceums, and thereby were
improving their conditions, Agriculture has been
suffered to remain in the background, to strug-
gle along single handed and alone, without the
aid OF agricultural science, or presumiDg to gain
access 10 the public crib.
1t is no less true, that while the Industrious
classes have received comparatively nothing from
the Treasury, it is from their hard earnings in
a great measure, that the treasury is replen-
shed.
Your committee would not be understood as
casting any reflections upon the other profes.
slons, in these remarks-for they are frank to
say, that IN oil the attempts which have been
made in other states, and in various ways 10 ell
evate the standard of agriculture and to improve
the condition of the agriculturalist, the profess
slonaI part of community: to their honor be it
said have uniformly extended liberal hand and
your committee will no doubt that such will be
their course in Wisconsin.
In order to remedy an evil it becomes neces-
sary 10 ascertain the cause of such evil that the
proper remedy may be applied
What, then, may be considered the most prom
inent reason why the agricultural interests of
the country have not kept pace with the learned
professions.
In the language ofthe Regents of the Univer-
sity, your committee would say, THAT the pre-
valence of the sentiment hitherto, that the pro-
priety Of liberal culture, both general and pro-
fessionnl, is confined 10 the practitioners of the
learned professions, and that all the science and
the philosophy, which transcends the rudmental
instructions OF the common school, would be
thrown away on the farmer, and artizan, has
done more than aught else 10 impair the effec-
tiveness of the industrial processes-to limit the
beneficial action of the useful ar,s-and unfort-
unately for the public, to let down their position
in the social economy ;" and further, that with
out a knowledge of agricultural science. the
farming processes fall to the low level Of rou-
tine and drudgery; with it, agriculture rises to
the dignity of profession, and vindicates its un-
douOteo claim 10 Slaso not only IN the hrSt rank
of the experimental arts, but side by side with
the learned professions-in interest and honor,
as we'll as profit"
In view of these facts, promulgated as they
are, from such high authority, your committee
are aware that brighter day is dawning that
the time has passed by where any respectable
portion OF community will presume to doubt the
the proprety and necessity of immediate legis-
la,lve action in this matter-that the scales
which have hitherto blinded the mental yisionof
community at large, on this subject, are fast
giving away the penetrating influence of the |
light which science has brought to bear upon
them and by which they are enabled TO see clear /
ly their condition, and to appreciate the import
ant relations which the producing classes bear
TO the professionally classes and the interest OF the
State at large-that while the agriculturaist pay
much the largest proportion oftaxes for the sup
port Of government, they should be entitled to
receive their relative proportion OF state bounty !
especially, when it is conceded that whatever |
tends to the advancement of agriculture and the |
mechanical arts, adds to the wealth of the |
State and operates equally beneficial upon |
ALL
In accordance with the views and sugges-
tons herein set forth, and to carry out the plan
suggested by the Regents as well as to meet the |
wants of the petitioners, your committee beg
leave TO introduce bill for the organization of an
Agricultural Department in the State University.
They also give notice, that they will on some FL
ture day, ask leave to introduce bill for the form
alton of a State Agricultural society.
All of which is respectfully submitted.