Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-03-11
For the Journ al.
Iowa Farmers College.
(ooNTINuED.)

tue JOuTndI.
Iowa Farmers College.
(ooNT1NuED.)
Mr.. EDIroR-I ought to have common
ced my other communication with the fol-
lowing resolution, which was paused at the
January meeting of the Board Of Trustees:
'Resolved, That it is recommended to each
member of the Board to max known to
farmers and others in their several districts,
through public meetings, the press, or
otherwise, the objects of the Iowa Farmers
College"
There was also passed a resolution highl y
complimentary to the press of the State gen.
orally, for the gratuitous aid they had given
the Farmers College, by publishing notices
and information to assist in establishing in
our midst an institution which shall prove
o source of light and knowledge to our
children and an honor to our State.
In order that this institution may prove
an hon n to the State, and accomplish the
greatest good, l would not recommend
large expenditure to begin with, however
confident am that these institutions are
based upon the sarest foundations of use.
fnlness, broader and better in practical
knowledge, useful industry, economy and
HEALTHY than any other Institutions of learn
ing and industry of our we'll instituted
country. The Farm RS College and Ex-
permental Farm of Michigan cost over
100000. This farm was located in the
forest, and OF course ITS Improvement cost
much more than it would in Iowa: besides
hey had to buy their land, which, | think.
cost about $1,000. Tie President of til at
Institution says it has proven quite success J..
| full !; its students are being rapidly
healthy, love their three hours of daily la.
! Dor, are moral, honest an faithful. and
are well suited with the great privilege of
! acquiring so good practical and useful an
education at SO cheap rate, by paying a
portion with the work of their own hands.
They have 100 students, and three times
more applicants then they can accoinoa ate.
| Yet that institution has its enimes in i t
own State, ard when they could find few
true fau is, they got up false reports, and SLAM
der tho institution, and try to injure is
usefulness and good name.
In New York they have over 500, 900,
for their farm and college, nearly half of
which has to be paid for the land, the ric!,
and well improved farms counting high in
that State-about $50 per acre. But the
people Of the county (Seneca) donating
| more tlvn Sufficient for the purchase the
State appropriating for the buildings.
In Pennsylvania they have noble build.
ing nearly completed, 233 feet front, s
stories high, with two wings, all of beauti.
full gray lines stone, at a cost of s55 900,
for the college buildings. The farm of 400
acres was donated by Gen. James Irwin
large subscription was also made up by
individuals.
might enumerate several other States
that are proceeding to establish Farmers
Schools. Let me here notice the Farmers
College at Co lege Hill, near Cincinnati,
Ohio, the Oldest school of this kind in
America. had a report sent me from this
institution, but it is not at hand now. 1t is
very aourishing and successful school, and
farm, and garden.
This College of ours is not to be located
in city or village, where the scholars are
to board themselves, and find their own
homes, as most Of our institutions of learn.
ing are, but we are to make comfortable
and good home for every one-President,:
Professors and scholars, farmers, teams
stock, and tools Hence, to provide for al
this must be far greater outlay than the
usual accommodate
Several Of the classic colleges of oul
country have attempted to establish an agri
cultural department in connection with
them. l never had faith in any such
farming. They may dissect, analyze, and
deuotr bread and meat; but, in that way
they will not be able to tell how to produce
it, They may analyze soils by chemistry
and attempt to tell what it will produce and
what it will not, but this science qcithout
practice is so often at fault, that little reli
ance can be placed in it. Practice will dc
better without science, than science with
out practice. This attempting to carry on
agriculture by science alone is what ha.
cast great disrepute upon Agricultural Col.
leges-is what has led to the Experimental
Farm in connection. AS we'll might me
chanic attempt to learn trade by science
alone, without a shop, as for literary stu
bent to learn farming by science alone
Many distinguished men in Agriculture now
begin to understand this difference. Oul
able opponent of the Agricultural College
of New York, A. B. Dickinson, has lately
confessed his error, and now says he has
full confidence in the great benefits of these
institutions.
One year ago had little expectation thai
the, bill granting lands for an agricultural
college in every State would p ass the U.
S. Senate. 1t appears that majority in
both Houses of our Congress thought liber.
al donations Of land to encourage and sup
port agricultural and industrial schools
practical, wise, humane; but the President
thought otherwise, and vetoed the bill Well,
there let it rest for the present. But the
principle is right, and will grow; and al
though once defeated by the controlling
power of a single man, time will give it
strength, and it will soon rise up again. -
Canals and railroads, common schools and
Universities, have received such appropria-
tions by nearly every Congress, for ages past,
and why not a Farmers College?
S. FOSTER.