The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-11-19

The young State of Michigan has taken
the extent Of her appropriations for the OBJ
ject,) in the establishment Of an institution
Tor the special education oi farmers. la
1855, an act was passed. for the establish
mcnt Of State Agricultural College, ae
companied with an appropriation for the
purchase OF u farm the erection OF college
buildings, &c. In pursuance Of this act. u
tract Of G16 acrcs, situate within 3'e miles
Of Lansing, the capital Of the State, was
purchased, and u college building, 100 feet
by SO. with boarding house of nearly equal
size, each three stories high and Of brick,
were erected. In February 1887, further
appropriation of $4,000 was made for the
payment Of professors aud teachers, TO i'm.
prove and carry on the farm, and other ne.
cessary expenses for the operation OF sad
school during 1857 and ls5s. The corps Of
professors having been appointed, and tho
institution prepared for the reception Of stu
dents, it was dedicated on the 18th Of May
last, by appropriate services, and went into
operation with its first class numbering Gl
pupils. The faculty consists OF
Joseph X. Williams President and Director
OF the farm.
Calvin Tracy, Professor Of Mathematics.
Lewis II, Fisk, Professor OF Chemistry.
Henry Goadby. Professor of Animal and
Vegetable Physiology aud Entomology.
ID. 7. Mayhem. Professor OF Natural Sci.
encc.
Robert ID Weeks. Professor Of English
Literature and Farm Economy, and sec
rctary.
John Z. Holmes, Professor of Horticulture.
This institution. il will thus he seen. is
fairly started. VIII il succeed, and become
one Of the permanent institutions OF the land,
the forerunncr OF similar schools IN all the
other states Of the Cnion' This Is mn i'm.
portant qu's,ioD--one Of great lmportansc,
not To Michigan men alone, bat to the whole
agricultural interests Of the Cnitcd States
Aside from the appropriations necessary for
its support, i,s usefulness and consequent
pcrmanonce will depend in very great de-
gree, upon the judgment, ability and pcrse.
verance Of IT, faculty, or Board Of Directors
and Professors They have no pattern to
follow, the educational agricultural institu-
tons of Europe and the Continent being by
means adapted to our wants We have road
the inaugural address Of the President with
great pleasure, and from il We Judge that the
state ha. been fortunate IN the selection of
ts cbief officer. tor Mr.. Williams seem. 10
understand pretty clearly the educational
wants Of our rural population. rs well ~ the
obstacles in the way Of the success Of an i,t
siItntion intended for their special l,encGi.
and enters upon his work with u thorough
conviction that thea obstacles eau be over.
come aud the College be rendered an ca
during honor 10 the State ard age. We
most heartily bid him AMI his Associates God.
-peed. Nothing can be more certain than
that college. peculiarly adapted TO the d
ucation of our farming population, is nceded
IN zach of our States. though but ID small
portion comparatively Of the iarmcfs them.
selves sein as ye. TO lie fully convinced Of
this fact and he or they who frs, carries
such nj institution into complete operation
overcoming, as they will have to- the pre-.
judicc. Of the ignorant aud the hostility Of
'lin aelfsh.~% dew. ~ .he gratitude II
tlcIr CDIutrymqb