American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-08

~, "a essential 10 u proper cultivation OF the
.s,,h. and Of such paruinoun, importance to
tho general welfare The history OF the
INST. added to the experience OF The ooser-
riuv farmer, afford abundan, evidence oil The
,odical change and beneficial effects produ.
csa by the recent introduction Of science
and skill In the agricultural, mechanical &
manufacturing departments. II is believed
ne many in other States that property is do.
,s-;orating in Virginia. and that our country
;s becoming depopulated. The statistics OF
the past would have justified such conclu.
sion bu, il affords me pleasure 10 say that
the reverse is the fact at this time. II is
true, that land in the Underwater district de-
Perforated in value. during the twenty years
preceding 1888. TO the startling amount OF
$40 000, 900 that other interests deprecated
in similar ratio; that many OF our enter
prising young men reluctantly abandoned
their fa,herland and oil the endearmon,s and
associations which cluster around their ma
tive home, and. in search of better land
were seen vending their way TO the alluring
west. The old fields thus abandoned were
growing up in pine, and seemed rapidly re-
turning to primeval solitude. But it is %
qually true that The late assessment shows
an increase in the value of the same lands,
in the short period OF twenty years, exceed
ing SIT .0O0,0 900. with improved crops, the
doubled within the same period.
The came may be said of the entire State
Every interest furnishes evidence Of prosper
ity aud increasing wealth, and our people
have every reason to be contented s. happy.
We are thus furnished, within our State,
with the evidence of the beneficial effects
growing out of the application of science 10
agricultural purposes. It's practical advan-
tages aud lasting benefits are too palpabe
to have escaped the notice of the most casual
observer. II has accomplished more to i'm
prove the soil, augment the crops, elevate
the laboring class i'm the rural districts. pre-
ven, emigration aud make glad the heart Of
the husbandman, than all other appliances
which have been employed in the last cen
tury These desirable changes have, it is
true, been effected without tho aid of the
officer whose appointment recommend; yet
oil will admit that they are TO be ascribed to
the occasional efforts Of a few scientific gem
tlemen who have magnanimously devoted a
portion OF their time and money TO chemical
analysis Of the soil, the discovery Of calcer-
eous and compost manures, and the judIclouS
application OF these 10 the growth Of vege-
tables. For this they are entitled to our
gratitude and favorable acknowledged
Blu, how much greater improvement nigh;
be accomplished by the eniirng and well di-
rec,ed efforts of n practical chemist, furnish
ed with the lights Of science, with modern
improvements, and with the necessary APP
para,us to apply his knowledge to the best
advantage.
Much has been effected, too, by the State
Agricultural Society and its auxiiaries.-
But this ms tuition, thou oh no longer an ex-
pertinent, and i'm "a fourishing and perma-
nent condition, is the result of individual
enterprise, and has been reared and nurtured
at he expense OF individual liberality, and
though you may rely TO a certain extent up.
on public spirit and patriotism & they may
be appealed to successfully in times of peril
and emergency, they should not be taxed too
heavily when no such emergency exists.
therefore again respectfully invite your
attention to the subject, and trust you will
not only call TO your aid the experience of a
competent agricultural chemist, but that
you will not permit the geological survey
ereto(ore undertaken TO langnish, but cause
it to be speedily completed, aud thus devel-
op the incacuabe treasures embedded in
our valleys, our plains and our mountains.
submit herewith the annual report OF
the rector and visitors Of the University of
Virginia. which exhi bis the institution in a
most prosperous and hourshng condition
sustaining, in an eminent degree, the high
reputation il has long deservedly enjoyed
The young men, annually sent forth from
this institution to commnge with the mass
es, in their various pursuits, connol fail 10
exert wholesome Influence; and leave their
impress upon the community in which they
move. | would, therefore, recommend an
increase in the uamber TO be gfatui,ousiy
educated with such an increased Hpproprla.
ton as will enable the institution 10 accom-
plisk this purpose. Would that the mum her
could be augmented until the sous Of The
INDECENT and the wealthy could find com
mon platform accessible to all that the por-
tails of The University could be thrown open
wide az the attributes Of divine mercy, pro-
claiming, "whosoever will, let him take
the waters of ife freey.n But it cannot
BE- expected that single institution can az.
ford the necessary instruction 10 ii popula-
ton like that OF Virginia. Intelligence is
the property or the nation, and constitutes
a The principal element 10 secure respect from
abroad, and security and happiness at home.
To obtain it, any reasonable sacrifice should
be made, aud no effort neglected which
could insure il with certainty. We ought
therefore TO extend aid 10 our colleges, and
open their halls tn those who cannot obtain
the benefits OF university education.
The legislature has wisely extended is fos.
ttrinQ care to The military institute, which
is every way worthy of it's patronage, and
deserving popular favor. The principle OF
combining the Instruction Of those who are
abie 10 pay with the gratuitous education Of
the INDECENT aud deserving and requiring
those educated al the State expense TO be-
come teachers for limited period, is pro-
duC,na the mos bcne fcal results aud its
fappllcation to all our collegiate institutions
wcul4 enhance lis alue and give it o power
III 'u'ure which can scarcely be too highly
estimated
In 1921 The general assembly recognized
Che ciaims OF The colleges, and passed an act
declaring "hal henevor the annual income
OF me hisrary fund shall exceed $50 600,
the surplus above that sum, until such sur.
plus shall amount TO $50 900, shall be ap.
pfopfiated 10 the endowment Of such colleg-
es, academies, or intermediate schools with.
III The commonwealth as The general assem-.
bly, may hereafter dcsionnte as fit inslitn.