The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-06-08
Gkt 6rana Yabtm Yths,
A FINE SCHOOL FOR YOUNG MEN.

a late issue OF the Michigan Farmer
contains very interesting statement of
the management of the State Agricultu-
raj College, by R. F: JOHNSTON, editor
of the Farmer, and General Superin-
tendent of Agriculture in that Institu-
ton.
The object of this College is to COM
bine a practical knowledge of work Gu
the farm with thorough knowledge of
those sciences which relate to agriculture
and the business relations Of life. Hence
each student is required TO work on the
farm, in some capacity, three hours each
day; and, in order that the work to BE
performed shall BE- done to the best adj
vantage, the students (now eighty-two in
number) are divided into three working
parties, termed first, second and third di-
visions, under the control of the Superin-
tendent or Farm Director. And as farm
ers find it necessary to rise early, the stu
dents are required to rise and dress at the
ringing of the bell at quarter past five.
At half past five they retire to the chap
81 for prayers. AT ten minutes before six
they assemble in the hall for breakfast.
A quarter past six the bell summons the
first division to prepare for the field; and
overalls, stogas and working jackets are
brought into immediate requisition, and at
halt past six, the members of division
number one find themselves at the barn,
all armed and equipped as per order of
the Director, when they repair at once to
the field for their three hours labor. AT
half past nine the second division are re-
qrired to be in the field ready to take the
teams and implements from the hands Of
the first diviSion, whose place they sup
ply. The second division work till half
past twelve, when they are required to
bring in their teams and implements un-
less otherwise directed. AT one o'clock
the students are summoned to dinner,
when, no doubt, ample justice is done to
the edibles, as labor sharpens the appetite
and greatly facilitates digestion. After
dinner the library is opened and the stu
dents have free access to the many news
papers and periodicals furnished the Insti-
tuition from all parts of the country. Al
a quarter before three the bell summons
the third division to prepare for the field,
{ and again overalls, The old hat, boots
and jacket are forth coming and donned
in haste, and, at three, the work on the
farm is resumed and continues till Six
Thus an equivalent of nine hours labor
from one-third of the students is obtained
each day, except on Saturdays, when nc
labor is required to be performed aftel
dinner, the third division working will
the first and second. From each Of tn,
divisions certain students are detailed L
: perform special duties-such as the carr
and feeding Of the horses and cattle, The
ringing of the bell, bringing of the mai
from the post-oflice at Lansing, tho build
ing of the fires at the college buildings
the sweeping and keeping neat Of the
same, the carpenter work, DC, which give:
, employment constantly TO some nine stu
dents. The intervals of labor and recre
alton arc filled up by close attention t.
the studies assigned by the Faculty.
Among the ancient Romans it was I
consummation devoutly desired to pos
sess a sound mind IN sound body, anC
, for his, the richest as well as the les
wealthy labored, and its possession wa.
considered the acmo of human perfection
We know of no course (if faithful,
adhered TOY that can be adopted TO insur
to the country real, genuine farmer
farmer Of the days Of Washington
than the course Of labor and disciplin
: adopted at agricultural colleges and frs
class manual labor schools; and if W
! want honest rightly instructed legislator:
: judges, governors and presidents, the
!, may be found among those educated a
those institutions.
i Happy, indeed, would il be for score
; of yellOw-faced, sharp-nosed, ghastly Wis
o aged, skeleton-like, sickly, puny student
. of our colleges and theological schools, i
. instead of spending four of the best year
! of their lives in pouring over the dea
J, languages, without sufficient exercise {
$ give healthy and vigorous circulation I