Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-11
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

STATE dIRICCLIUhAL COLLEGE.
The Trustees Of the State College of Agr-
culture and Mechanic Arts were before the
Legislative Committee on Agriculture Wednes-
day, presenting the claims Of the College.
The first speaker was Ex-Gov. Co5urn, who
is one of the Trustees of the Institution. He
said the work on the buildings has been de-
layed in consequence of the inability to use
the appropriation of last year on account of
the action Of the town of Orono. The labor
tory is not yet completed, but the dormitory
buildings are, and there arc sufficient accom-
modatiens for the pupils now present, though
there were thirty applications last fall which
were turned away for lack of room. Have
made such improvements on the farm during
the year as the funds at disposal would admit.
More hay is raised on the farm than is con-
sumed. Have ten cows and other stock in
proportion.
The annual examination of pupils showed
an advanced state very gratifying to the friends
of the institution. The behavior of the boys
has been excellent, no rowdyism or mischief
appearing. Thinks this is due to two facts
one that they are farmers boys, and the other,
because they are required to labor three hours
daily upon and about the farm. Some kind
of exercise is necessary for young men, and if
they obtain it in this manner they will accom-
pish two objects-obtain exercise and a
knowledge of the practice of their profession.
They are paid eight cents per hour for three
1 IL l.. A. ,f Ii,
ing work, they work longer and receive extra
wages.
About 100 900 acres of the lands received
from the Government have been located and
sold at So cents per acre, and the amount de-
posted with the State. About $4,000 was
added to the principal last year. These fands
can only be used to pay teachers, buy appara-
tus, &C.. and no part of it can be expended in
erecting buildings of which they stand so
much in need. There are some 1900 acres
no haste in locating the land.
The Trustees ask for the following appro-
priations: To complete laboratory, $4,000;
Farm improvements, $4,000; Library, APP
paratus, &C., SO 900; Farm buildings, $4,000;
Buildings for furnishing Washing ironing, &c,
So, GOO; Workshop and Tools, $4,000; to
meet deficiencies in construction account.
$3.50.
S. L. Goodale of Saco, of the Board of
Trustees, said the College is national school
"a college for industrial pursuits. Is very
sorry that the prominent agriculturists of the
State have not come forward to its assistance.
Was one of those who originally opposed the
location at Orono, but now it is located, we
should do all we can to sustain it. The ques-
ton is, whether we will support it and carry it
on where it is or allow it to go down and the
fund revert to the Government. 1t can be
made more useful institution than any other
in the State.
Mr.. Stetson of Bangor, Treasurer of the
of the college. No bill has been paid which
has not first been examined and proved by a
committee.
Hon. Lyndon Oak of Garland, another of
the Trustees, said it is not fact as has been
asserted, that large proportion of the boys
who graduate from such a college will fail to
go back or engage in industrial pursuits, as
has been proved by the results in the Michigan
and Massachusetts colleges, where three
quarters Of the pupils graduating become
farmers or skilled mechanics.
He gave detailed account of the labors of
the Trustees since the Board was organized,
in the spring of 1867, and the manner in which
the appropriations have been expended. He
continued to some length making some very
interesting and favorable remarks.
| Prof. Samue, johnson, the former Superin-
| tendent of the college, made some remarks.
| The first and main object of the school is to
afford liberal education. The boys so far
have paid about half their expenses in labor
on the farm. Those who graduate from the
old institution are untitled for labor they are
educated on one sde-the mental is educated
at the expense of the physical. In the Indus
trial College of Maine it is different
| Adjourned till Thursday evening for fur
Their hearing. On.