The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-11
OUR AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
A Plan for the Institutions to be Organ
lied In the South.

The following extracts are taken from an adj
dress to the farmers and planters OF Eastern
North Carolina, read before the Agricultural
Convention held at Wilmington, on the 9th
ultimo, by Robert K. Bryan, Esq, which was
received by the convention, and ordered to be
spread upon the minutes:
The time has come when agriculture is enti-
tied to take rank with the sciences. The far
mer whe cleaves to antiquated notions, regard
less of that progressive spirit which has IN our
day taken hold OF all the pursuits OF life, VIII
find himself in the rear of his competitors IN
the race TOR wealth. he may attempt to throw
the blame for his scant harvests on that great
scape- goat of poor farmers-the seasons.
II. however, he be fortunate enough to have
as neighbor o1e who keeps pace with the
progress of improvement, he will find, by q
comparison of crops, that the latter has dis
covered the secret which renders him, to
great extent, independent OF the y1clssitudes
of the seasons. And II he be not hopelesslY
Joined to the dead idols of the past, he will
ultimately be drawn, by the force OF e4amPls,' Pl:,
into the adoption Of improved methods OF TIL
lage. These methods are based upon prln,
ciples discovered by patient and profound
searches after truth, and are confirmed by the
Judgment and experience Of practical men.
Successive contributions have enriched the
science Of agriculture, and added clearness and
certainty to its principles, and it now stands
bef,rc the world symmetrical whole worthy n
of the study of all who are interested IN tie
cultivation of the soil.
There are scattered throughout our State
numbers of young mon who are anxious to be
educated, but from lack of means cannot be.
In determining upon tho plan Of an agrlcul-
tural school, special consideration for the
wants OF this large class should be had.
opti io va
in each day, should be set apart TOR farm work,
it would be found that sufficient time would be
left for the study Of all necessary branches OF
learning. The exercise of the body would pro-
mote physical and mental health, enable the
student to concentrate his attention oa his
studies, and thus to accomplish more IN q
given time than he could under syst EN- Oh
training where physical exercise is neglected;
Thus the timo spent in outdoor work would
not be lost if we rogard only the intellectual
progress Of the student Meantime, by this
system, the constitution will become invigorat-
ed, and much in o peculiary point OF Wow
saved. The labor Of student diligently per-
formed under intelligent supervision would
constitute fair set off against all charges for
board.
In this way the principal expenses would be
gotten rid of by the student, and only those
for tuition, books, clothing, &C., weuld re-
main. Thus the outlay for sound a:riculGu-
raj education could be brought within the
mems of numerous class OF young men VINO
are nov wholly unable to meet the expenses OF
an ordinary boarding school. Thus large
number of intelligent working young farmers
could be annually added to the producing, po,
pulation of ouS State. The direct result OF
their labors in Increasing our material wealth
would be considerable, whilst their influence IN
elevating and improving the system Of farm.
ing would be incalculable. The elevation and
improvement of our agriculture lmphes In.
creased production, increased wealth, increased
refinement, and, in word, increased bappl'
ness.
The labor Of a considerable body of students,
irving five hours in each day to tarm WORK
w,uld suffice for the cultivation of o large
farm, which should be attached to such an IN
stltution as we are now describing, and the
products of such farm skilsully cultivated
would 90 towards the support OF the proposed
college. TO this would be added the tultloI
fees, both together constituting IN amount oi
resources which would go fur towards making
| the institution selt-supporting.
The direct benefits likely to arise from sucf
an institution judicously located and properly
| conducted, would not be confined to the stu
donts trained there. Farmers would visit L
| for the purpose of observing the methods o
culture pursued there, aud the operation 9
machines and implements Of an improved kid
| experiments IulpuI ucio u0 SonuuSoSo AH 80
exact and satisfactory manner, and The result,
published for the benefit OF all concerned
| From such institutions an influence wouit
radate, which would be felt far and wide II
building up for our country stem OF prac
tical agriculture based on science, whose peace.
full glory would not pale IN comparison VIII
| the most heroic achievements OF the past.
II the views herein presented with regard q
| tho proper plan for an agricultural college pe
correct, it will be apparent that 40 comolna'
ton OF such plan with the old system OF CO!
legiate education is practicable. The latter II
well adapted to the wants OF the wealth
classes, but the plan we propose is adapted t
tue wants OF the great mass OF our lnteIlsen
agricultural population. We do not undeI
ynlue the old system as means OF tralnlni
youth for the learned professions, and for tina
purpose we desire to see institutions conduct
ed on that plan fourishing in our midst, Bu
| it is much more important that farmer shoul'
| know how TO cure sick horse, or to prevan
the escape OF ammonia from his manure heap
than how t. render Sophocles into Engllsh OF
explain the mysteries Of the parabola. In
condition Of tho great mass OF our people de
mands q system Of education which VIII pea
tangible fruit. 1t demands that their chldre
shall be instructed in the ways and means D
which bodily comfort may be secured. I'M
is the most pressing want. When wealt b how
into our empty coffsrs and leisure is attorde
us, wo can then give attention to The claims Q
polite literature and that higher cducatlo
which is altogether admirable, but which Is
present, and likely to Continue tor some tlmo
q luxury beyond the roach OF nlnety-nln
hundredths OF our population.