Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-06-11
farmers Column.
MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGE.

VIC PiCschS peloW pIleI history OF
the Maryland Agricultural College, from
the report Of the Register, DIR. John 0.
Wharton:
In the winter of 1856, certain gentle
men memorializeG the Legislature to es-
tablsh and endo,o an Agricultural Col
lego in the State of Maryland, propos
ing as a condition precedent, that they
would raise by individual contributions
the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars, at
least, to be expended in the purchase of
suitable farm and the erection thereon
of the necessary buildings. TO this ap-
peal, that enlightened and patriotic body
responded by the passage of the Act APP
pended hereto, upon which the institu.
ton has been organized, in which they
appointed the mcmorialists Commission
ers for the purpose of taking subscrip-
tons to the stock of the Company In
compliance with the requirements of this
Act the Commissioners proceeded at once
to the discharge of their duty.
On the LIST day of September, 1857,
it was found by the report of the Agent,
that the subscriptions had so nearly APP
proximated the sum of fifty thousand
dollars, which the charter required before
Trustees be elected, that the deficiency
was forthwith subscribed by members Of
the board The necessary steps for the
collection of one-half of the sum sub
scfibcd was then taken, and this being
accomplished the stockholders, after due
notice given, proceeded on the 9th day
of January, 1858, to the election Of
Trustees for the future government of
the institution.
The committee of inspection having
visited and carefully surveyed and ex-
amined all such properties as seemed at
all likely to meet the views of the board,
submitted report, in which they CON
fined themselves to careful description
Of each farm visited, its several advan-
tagcs and disadvantages, price, &C.,
making no definite recommendation of
any. Their report was thoroughly can
vassod at several meetings of the board,
and after many ballotings, in each of
which the property having the lowest
number of votes was dropped, their
choice fell upon that offered by Charles
Is. Calvert, ESD, and it was selected as
combining to greater extent than any
other, the advantages and requisites
sought.
The location, the board have the
strongest reason to believe, is cminently
healthful. The site of the proposed
College Buildings is a commanding emf
nence 50 fully exposed to constant vonti-
lation as must entirely exempt it from
miasmatic influence. Independent of
this consideration, there is every assur-
ancc Of the general healthfulness Of the
neighborhood.
The farm is watered by an abundant
and rapid stream of pure water, ample
for all purposes for which water may be
wanted
In point of accessibility, its approach
by the Baltimore and Washington Rail-
road leaves nothing more to be said. A
seat in the car at Baltimore farthest
point of that road--puts the traveller
within one and half hours ride of the
College, at less cost and with more con-
venience than if it wanted such means of
approach and was within five miles of the
commercial centre of the State. Its
proximity to Washington, while it can
detract nothing from its character as
State Institution, will secure for it an in
terest and influence co-extcnsive with
the nation, and afford many advantages
in the rapidly growing Scientific Institu-
tons and Libraries connected with the |
general government.
The farm is about two and half miles
north of Bladensburg, about nine from
Washington, and twenty-eight from Bal
timore. 1t is trayersod by the turnpike
road between the two cities, and is in full
view of the railroad, without touching it
at any point, but with the right of way
through the adjoining property to
switch about three-quartcrs of a mile
from the College building
The soil is of various quality and con-
dition, affording fair opportunity for ex-
pertinent. 1t is chiefly loan of good
character. In elowtion it varies from
meadow artifcially drained, to dry bot
tom lands, rolling and hilly. 1t has
wood in abundance, from old field pine
10 heavy white oak timber. The number
Of acres in tho tract is four hundred and
twenty-eight, and the price paid fifty
dollars per acre.
The buildings on the farm when pur-
chased were two-story brick house,
forty feet square, with wings and lsitob-
en- running back, and a large barn hav-
ing brick basement. Other farm build
Jugs not Of much value
The present available means Of the
institution viii necessarily confne the
Trustees, at this time, 10 the erection Of
but ono wing Of the structure. Deeply
as they regret the necessity which thus
limits temporarily their operations, they.
are not without hope that the appeal they
are about to make individually, and by
agents, IN the;r respective counties and
the cities of Baltimore and Washington,
TO their patriotic and philanthropic fell
low-citiaens, to aid them in their efforts
to erect Immediately the entire building,
together with large and conmodious
workshop, will be successful Should
this be realized, the whole College build
ing and workshop will be Immediately
put under contract. One wing of the
proposed structure will be a building
complete in itself-one hundred and
twenty feet in length, iifty-four feet in
width, five stories high, with kitchen,