Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-11-02
Agriculture in Vermont.

last ten years II has not been agreeable TO
feel that it was necessary to apologize for
staying in the State, as though no one had a
right to stay, and then have our best excuses
received with an air that said plainly "You
can't be much Of a fellow and stay voluntari-
I'm Vermont" We now take courage, and
will confess our pride in the past reputation
Of The State, in her present prosperity and in
promising future
10 make that future one of credit there
must be progress and activity in all the in.
dusirics that employ the mind aud muscle of
the people.
IN many States there is now great attention
being paid to the establishment and develop
mont Of those institutions that were founded in
part BY the muuifcent gift Of land by the Ma.
tional Government to the States to aid in the
education Of the industrial classes
Maine has its college in operation and its
influence is already telling favorably upon the
agriculture of the State Massachusetts, by
its board of agriculture, by its bouniics to ag-
ricultural societies, and by its college where
about one hundred students are taught the ap.
plication Of natural sciences TO agriculture,
is doing noble work In New York eight
hundred students are being educated at the
University where the industrial fund is in
vested In Ohio different counties have Of.
ierod from 100000 to s375,OOO and after
protracted conflict the trustees have located
near Columbus Cd 800 acre farm, worth
$4,000 per acre, aud some Of the trustees
will do their best to see that those sciences
which relate to agriculture are practically IL
Illustrated.
In Illinois an agricultural college is estab-
lished upon broad basis and young women
as well as men are here instructed, aud ample
provisions are made that the 400 acre
farm shall be well supplied with build
ings, tools, animals, and other necessary
appurtenances to Its successful management.
In Michigan farm Of $50 acres is carried
or, and over 80 students each work three
hours day and do not find the labor irksome
The trustees find the labor system succeed.
ing better each year.
The junior class work under the professor
of practical agriculture, and the sophmorei
under the professor Of botany and hortcu
ture.
In'tbe young state Of Kansas 1GS students
attend the industrial school, and upon lane
planted and titled under the direction of q
professor, the best methods Of farming, gar
dening and horticulture will be illustrated
and students will have portions allotted tC
them for cultivation. An orchard with 6;
varieties Of fruit has boen planted.
In California beautiful tract of land o.
400 acres is appropriated and the foundation
for an agricultural college are being laid
Fifty thousand dollars are appropriated as
yearly income.
After thus briefly gaucing at line of In
dustrial colleges across the continent, it il
well to return to Vermont, where the plan fo
such colleges seemed to originate and where
the advantage is enjoyed Of fund tina
yields over eight thousand dollars yearly.
II is expedient TO consider the subject now
as, if any change is necessary, it ought to b.
plainly seen, as the fund has been invested
some five years.
In what degree has its methods of iustruc
ton commended themselves to the farmers o
the State? What experiments or theories hav
been made known that have bearing on ag
riculture? What promise is there, that tn
agricultural interests of the State are to b
advanced by the workings of the Agricultu
raj college as it is now situated
If any additional efficiency IS to be giyci
to the institution by an appropriation, it SHOULD
be considered by the present Legislature.
If the Vermont Agricultural College i
working according to the intentions of the &C
granting the land, then other states are blum
dering wildly. If other states with thei
farms, herds, orchards, gardens, lighthouses
vineyards, &c, &C.. as means of illustrating
the sciences applicable to agriculture, are car
rying out the true meaning Of the act, an
are subscribing the true interest of the people
then Vermont is either stupidity or hypocrti
cally in error,
If our Agricultural College is all right,
would seem to be for the interest of the Stat
to have a board Of agriculture, or a COMM.
sioner of agriculture that should hold insti
tutes in tho counties to explain in commo
sense way the benefits to be derived by al
tending the institution, aud awaken a Wild
spread interest in one of the most cficien
means of promoting the prosperity of til
State.
II would be well to consider whether
would not be for the interest of the State +
provide farm and with II a labor system, s
that some young men might by their labo
make their collegiate course less expensive
and at the same time of greater value.
Many towns in the State are able to ow
farms, also individuals, and they prove goo
property, but farm devoted ia part to el
periments and n part TO perfection ID eultur
might not pay expenses in money, but richl
pay in the superior quality of the many farm
ers it would send to all parts of the Stat
thus eleyating the pursuit, and making it MOI
remuueratiye by the better systems it woul
introduce. IL the present Legislature upo
investigation find the objects of the land graz
are not fully met in the present state of til
rund, il is evidently its duty to put in motto
those measures that will bring about the d
sired results such, for present examples,
the separation of the fund from the We
Y mont University, the purchase of farm, Il
establishment Of an IndnstriaI cnIieae wi