Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-13
AGRIt FURAL C0ELEGE,
Nv TIE sOrTH.
A New Plan Proposed.

/ The following extracts are taken from
an address to the farmers and planters o
Eastern North Carolina, read before th,
Agricultural Convention held at VII
mington, North Carolina, November q
1868, by Robert X. Bryan, Esq, WhieI
was received By the convention and or
dered TO be spread upon the minutes
The time has come when agricuI
ture Is entitled TO take rank with Ia,
sciences. The farmer who cleaVes u
antiquated notions, regardless of tha
progressive spirit which has in eur day
taken hold of all the pursuits Of life
will find himself in the rear of his com
Petitors IN the race Of wealth. He NAV
attempt 10 throw the blame for his scant
harTests on that great scape-goat Of
poor farmers-ths seasons. If however
ne be fortunate enough to have as 9
nelghbor one who keeps pace with the
| progress Of improvement, he will 6nd
BY comparison Of crops, that the latter
has discovered the secret which renders
him, to great extent. independent OF
the vlcissitUGes Of the seasons. And il
ne be not hopelessly joined to the dead
idols OF the past, he will ultimely be
drawn, by the force Of example, into the
adoption Of improved methods Of till
age. These methods are based upon
principles discovered BY patient and pro-
found searchers sftA truth, and are con-
frmed by the judgment and experience
of practical men. Successive contribu-
tons have enriched the science Of a9ri-
culture, and added clearness and GER
tainty to its principles, and it now stands
before the world a symmetrical whole
worthy Of the study of all who are in
terested in the cultivation Of the soil.
X
There are scattered throughout our
state numbers Of young men who are
anxious to be educated, but from lack of
means cannot be. In determining -
on the plan of an agriculture, school
special consideration soF the wants Of
this large elass aheuId be had. IF a
portion ef the students time, say i've
hours IN each day, should be set apart
for farm work, il would be found that
sufficient time would be left for the studv
Of all necessary branches of learning.
The exercise Of the body would promote
physical and mental health, enable the
student to concentrate his attention on
his studies, and thus TO accomplish more
IN given time than he could under
system Of training where physical exer-
else is neglected. Thus the time spent
IN outdoor work would not be lost if we
regard only the intellectual progress of
the student. Meantime, by this system.
the constitution will become invigorated.
and much in peeuniary point of view
saved. The labor of student diligently
performed under inteiligeat supervision
would c0nstitU.S fair set off against all
eI%Tges tor board. In this way the
principal expenses would De gottsn rid
of by the student, and only those for
tuition, books, clothing, etc, would re-
main. Thus the outlay for a sound |
agricultural education could be brorsAt /
within the means Of 4 numerous class of
young men who Are nav wholly unable |
10 meet ths expenses Of an ordinary
boarding school Thus large number
'f intelligent working young farmers
could be annually added to the produe- I
ng population of egT S;ata. The direct
'esult cf iAeiz labors in increasing our /
Material wealth would be considerable. !
whilst their influence in elevating and
improving the system Of farming would /
)e incaleulable. The elevation and
of our agriculture implies
increased production, increased wealth,
refinement, and, in a word in
re4sed happiness.
The labor Of a considerable body of
tudents, giving FIVE hours in each day
o farm work, would suffice for the cult
alton Of large farm, which should be
.ttaehed to such an Institution as we are
Tow describing, and the products CT such
arm skillfully cultivated would 20 TO-
Fards the support Of the proposed col
ege. To this would be added the tuition
ses, both together constituting an
mount of resources which would 90 far
owards making the institution self-sup-
orting,
The direct benefits likely to arise from
1ch an institution judieiously located
nd properly conducted, would not be
1nfned TO the students trained there.
armers would visit it fer the purpose
{ observing the methods of culture
1rsued there, and the operation of
achines and implements Of an ina
royed kind. Experiments might here
2 conducted IN an exact and salts !
ctory manner, and the results pub
shed for the benefit of all concerned.
rom such institutions an influence I
ould radiate, which would be felt far ,
ID wide in building up for our country
system Of practical agriculture based
! science, whose peaceful glory would l
It pale in a comparison with the most ~
'roie achievements of the past, =
If the views herein presented with re-
I'D to the plan for aE Agricultural :
'llege be correct, it will be apparent z
at no combination of such plan with =
e old system of collegiate education is :.
actieahle. The latter is well adapted :
the wants of the wealthy classes, but y
e plan We propose is adapted to the =
-nts of the great mass Of our intel u y
,ent agricultural population. We do =
t undervalue the old system as a ~
.ans of training youth for the les, led D D
Ofessions, and for that purpose we Il
sire to see Institutions conducted on =
At plan hourishing in cur midst. But - I,
is much more important that farmer n
ould know how to cure sick horse, =
to prevent the escape Of ammonia y
I'M his manure heap, than how to rem =
r Sophocles into English or explain y y
: mysteries Of the parabola. The =
ndition Of the great mass of our peo- -
|, demands system of education which :, !:
i bear tangible fruit. It demands -
1t their children shall be instructed ~ ~
the ways and means by which bodily -
nfort may be secured. This Is the l.
st pressing want. When wealth aows - :.
o our empty Golfers and leisure is af- -
ded Is, No can then give attention to r. r.
claims Of polite literature, and that g
her education which is altogether ad- y.
-able, but which is at present, and On
ely to continue for some time, a Pi'
ury beyond the reach Of ninety-nine =. ~
Of our population, y