The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-01
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND
COLLEGES.

COLLEGES.
4 very interesting sketch is given in the Pa
tent Office Report, just published, of the origin
number condition, &c, of the various State anC
county organizations in existence, throughout the
United States. for the promotion of agriculture.
. The first agricultural association incorporated
in this country, was the "Society for the Pro
motion of Agriculture" established in South
Carolina, in 1885. In 1791, Society for the
Advancement of Agriculture, Arts and Manu-
faetures," was founded in the city of New York
but it ceased to exist in about ten years. Mex
in chronological order is the "Massachusett:
Society for Promoting Agriculture which was
incorporated in 1892, and contributed largely t.
the advancement of its objects Some of it,
members, residing in the county of Middlesex
afterwards organized the first county agricultu
raj association formed in the United States
Several other societies Of the same kind sprung
into existence within a few years, and in August
1910, Elkanah Watson of Berkshire, Massachusetts,
was instrumental in getting up the first agricu
tural fair ever held i'll America. From that time
efforts in behalf of agriculture received q new I'M
pulse, and associations were soon formed in most
of the older States. The "American Institute OF
the city of New York was incorporated in 1928
rendering efficient service; and four years after,
the "New York State Agricultural Society,"" now
in session at Albany, commenced its useful career
At the present time, societies boards of q SINH
lar character have been incorporated in nearly all
the most populOus States, besides numerous county
societies, all having the same objects in view max
ing an aggregate OF about eight hundred distinct
organizations.
Agricultural education is a subject which, until
recently, has received comparatively little atten-
tion, and very little direct aid, either from the
national or State treasures. In the year of 1855,
the citizens of Ovid, Seneca county, New York,
succeeded in procuring the passage of an act by
the Legislature, incorporating the "New York
State Agricultural College" This institution, it
is thought, will prove success. The act by
which it was organized provides for lOaning, from
the surplus Of the United States Deposit Fund,
$4,000 for twenty-one years without interest
provided an equal amount should be obtained by
private subscription. A farm of $50 acres has
been selected, and the buildings in progress.
A kindred institution known as the peoples Col
lege," was chartered by the State of New York,
in 1854, to be located in Havana Schuyler county.
The buildings in progress of erection, on
farm of 200 acres.
The Legislature of Michigan has, at different
periods, appropriated 100000 for the establish
ment of an agricultural college at Lansing \
tract of 700 acres is connected with it. The first
class of students received in 1857.
The "Farmcrs High School of Pennsylvania"
was incorporated in 1855, under the auspices of
the State Agricultural Society, and comprises,
with the buildings in course of erection, in Centre
County, tract Of 400 acres 1t has a capital of
Sl00,000 ore-half of which was appropriated by
the Legislature 1t is expected to be open for
instruction during the present year. Maryland is
also making an effort for the establishment of a
similar institution, and a farm Of 42S acres in
Prince Georges County, has recently been pur-
chased, upon which to erect the proposed build
ings. In addition to the above scientific schools,
experimental grounds and agricultural professor
ships, have been established in connection with
many of the literary institutions of the country.
1t is pleasant to observe so much evidence that
agriculture is destined to soon take higher rank
in the industrial arts OF the United States. The
practical application of chemistry to agriculture is
especially worthy of attention, not only that the
impoverished soil of the older States may be re-
stored to productiyencss, but that the exhausting
tillage heretofore prletised with such ruinous
suits, may be avoided in States more recently
brought under eulture.-N Y. Journal Of Com
SHORT METRE PRAYER.-Rev. Mr. Derwell,
pious and curious old Methodist Minister, went
from Tennessee to Kentucky, i'll 1872, to visit his
relative, Hon. VIM. Bolton. The man was not
religious man, but was a gentleman, and invited
the minister to have family worship every even
ing. While he was visiting there, Judge Cone
and his wife, from Nashville, arrived there to pass
the night, aud Mr. Bolton, being little embar-
raised, said to the old minister, as he brought out
the Bible, that he had better be short, as the
Judge was probably not accustomed to such things.
Every we'll, very well'' said he, and reading a
single verse, he knelt down and prayed:
20 Lord, We are very poor and needy creatures,
and We know that Thou art able 10 supply all our
wants, but Cousin William says that Judge Cone
and his wife from Nashville are here, and are not
used to family worship, and however needy we
are, there is no time to spare in telling Thee our
wants. Amen -
The Judge was taken all aback, and so was
Cousin William. They both pressed the old gen
teman to conduct the services in his own way,
which he did, to their great qualification.
MARRYING "FoR A CONSIDERATIONS
Northampton, Mass, Gazette says that an oddly
matched couple, from the town of Peru, were mar
ried in Williamsburg, on the I'd inst. The bride
groom rerdant looking youth of sixteen
years, and the bride dashing widow of thirty four
who had already buried two husbands, the last of
whom was eighty years old. The minister at first |
hesitated but being assured by the lads father |
that it was 'all right" performed the ceremony.
The widow decided farm to the lad before they |
we're married, She was one of the "yidders," |
certainly