The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-07-21
Agricultural College.


A good deal of interest has recently been
manifested by our farmers upon the subject
of an Agricultural College or school for this
part of the State. We have series Of
communications upon the subject from sew
eral intelligent farmers, which we have
been forced to exclude from our columns,
because of their great length; the writers
in each instance running into an essay on
agriculture as dependent on science. Inis
is a subject for an octave volume, instead OF
the columns of a small commercial news
paper. But the labor bestowed upon these
productions show the earnest conviction
among intelligent farmers, of the necessity
of such an institution. Successful farming
must hereafter be conducted by the clear
light of science, and the farmer who shall,
twenty years hence, undertake to raise
crop on a soil without knowing any of its
chemical constituents, will be like a blind
man prospecting for gold; he may get
thing for his labor, but it will be by extreme
good luck. Scientific knowledge is be-
coming a necessary qualification for one who
is to make his fortune from the soil, but as
yet no provision has been made to supply
it. We are pleased to see that the gentle
men who assembled at New Harmony on
Saturday, to form an Agricultural Society
for Posey, were impressed with the impor-
lance of such an institution, and evinced an
intention TO move in the matter. AT their
adjourned meeting on the eth OF August
the subject will be fully discussed. We
think it subject worthy the attention of
our Southwestern Agricultural Association.
The Pocket is the district for such an insti-
tuition. Its teeming soil and mild climate
will afford practical experiments in the rails
ing of a larger number of agricultural speci-
mems than any part of the State. The in
structions of the school would extend TO
the application of science to all the produc-
tons of nature-to the raising of cotton
and sugar as well as corn and potatoes. Ii
would be fitted for Northern and Southern
youths, and would draw its pupils from all
sections of the country. Here, on the di-
viding line between the North and South
with our high conservative principles, y
and our broad National politics, knowing
no North, no South, no East, no West, but
embracing the continent in our patriotism
and affections, we would gather the youth
of the empire into our academic groves, and
while Installing into their heads the science
that was TO make them rich and ablessing tC
their country, we could pour into their
hearts living patriotism that would restore
the brightest days of the Union.
We have talked much on this subject will
our friend Doct. Graf, who. in his enthusi
asm, has proposed to establish an Agricul
tural Scientific School at his residence, il
the beautiful village Of 0wensville, in Glib
son county, and quitting the arid and stumpy
soil of politics, which, Notwithstanding hi
assiduous cultivation of it, has brought hin
no crops, he fiatters himself that at the heat
of an unpacked convention of farmers boy
gathered under his guidance, he can max
a good deal more out of them, than he Ia:
ever been able to get out of packed eau
Gus of dull headed LecomptoniteS, thoug
he made them up, as usual, by his owl
choosing, and had things his own way i
manufacturing candidates for Congress; an
while doing better for himself in the TEN
pie of science, he would be doing far great
or good to his country, than by continuin
to wade and dabble in the muddy pool c
politics. And in all these honest convic
tons of the Doctor, in his better and bright
or moods, we have most heartily agree
with him, aud have urged him to make tn
experiment, promising, as we felt authorize
to do-the united support of anti-LecomT
tonites, dark lanterned Know Nothings, an
Black Republicans. But like the inveterat
gambler, he is repentant for an hour; br
the first temptation, at the sign of a polt
cal gathering, the Doctor forgets his schoo
and becomes BRIGHT" disciple of Il
lowest system of political trickery an
legerdemain deflcd instrument of me
who use him for the basest and most sc
fish ends, and when done with him, thro
him aside as an old hoe in the fall when Il
potatoes are dug. 1t is sad "to see SO muC
nobility perverted to such base ends" b
experience is a severe instructor, and wi
bring conviction and reformation at last
Ter most wayward pupils, if their bett
natures be not lost; and we are encourage
to hope that when Lecomptonism al
Brightism shall find the grave of infan
they have already dug for themselves, I
Doctor, after few regrets and tears
the flesh pots of Federal offices, will retur
where his head will lead him, to the pleaSa
groves and fields of Gibson county, al
there erect temple to science that sh
give him wealth, peace of mind, and con-
more true honor on his name than the m,
brilliant place within the gift of those
serves, to bestow. We do not despair yet
the "0wensville Scientific Agricultural
stitute." Let our farmers unite to def
LecomptOnism and elect Judge Hovey
the surest means of securing good az
cultural school. In this effort we can I
confidently appeal to all the Doctors n