Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-02-08

we nave sons OF Toll mere, Wno are coH-
petent to perform those analyses of the
soils and fertilizers, which every scientific
agriculturist, except MIR. jameson, has
deemed of some practical Importance in
relation to agriculture, and who are also
pursuing thorough studies in the other nat
ural sciences. By the way, the pertinent
question is naturally suggested here How
is it, if school with farm is the desider-
alum of the ''sons of toll, as Mr. Jameson
thinks, that not single Vermont boy Is
in attendance on the school at Dartmouth
or that at Amherst or any other out of the
State? Is the real trouble that which Mr..
Jameson supposes, or is it an indifference
to all special agricultural education.
In order to enlarge our means of illus
tration, and to increase our corps of Pro-
fessors, the Trustees resolved three years
ago to try to raise at least $4,000 by sub
scription. That sum has actually been
subscribed, and considerable part of it
paid, and with portion of it we are today
improving our facilities for instruction in
the Agricultural and Scientific Depart
ment. Senator Morrill,, some of whose adj
mirable words Mr.. Jameson quotes, has
been an active member of our Corporation
from the reorganization, and has originat-
ed or supported every important measure,
which has been taken. He should know
whether his designs have been carried out
to the best of our ability. Gov. Washburn
who is not apt to neglect the interests of
Vermont, has also from the beginning
been one of our most active Trustees. |
think the farmers of Orleans County will
be slow to believe that men like these, and
Samuel H. Stevens of Enosburgh, that
sterling farmer, and Rev. Horace Merrick,
and Horace Fairbanks-all of whom have
been members of our Board from the or
ganization of the Agricultural College
have failed to do what they deemed
best for the State with the fund entrusted
to their care, or that their Judgment is
likely to be greatly at fault. And | may
properly say that from the outset there
has been entire and hearty unanimity in
the Board in all its action pertaining to the
Agricultural Department
1t must be remembered that nearly all
the other Agricultural Colleges have either
| possessed large funds at the outset or have
since been handsomely endowed by private
or public generosity, while this University
| at the date of reorganization was heavily
in debt, and has since received no help
from the State and next to none from the
farmers. 1t may be instructive to observe
what help has been afforded to Agriculture
al Colleges in other States, and especially
how much money those, which are not
connected with old Institutions, have re-
quired. The Michigan College had, prior
to 1868, drawn from the State Treasury
1854, 900. The Iowa College had, prior to
going into operation at all in 1868, re-
ceived sos, S72 from the State The Mas
sachusetts College at Amherst had, prior
to 1869, received besides the congressional
grant, $4,000 from various sources, viz
$4,000 from the State, $4,000 from the
town,of Amherst, and 5000 from three
gentlemen for botanical garden, and il
the Annual Report for that year the Presi
dent informs the Legislature that 500, 00C
are imperatively needed at once, and $50,
| 600 besides for the year ensuing. The Hi
nois College has received from Champaign
: County, in which it is located, the mag
nifcent donation Of 100000 Such is tn,
cost of starting independent colleges witt
r farms. | do not say that the money j
f not expended. l believe that all thes
) Institutions will repay tenfold the money
which has been appropriated to them. Blu
: it should be well understood that frs
l rate college can neither be founded no
1 successfully conducted without large en-
: dowments. If the Legislature or the farm
ers of Vermont should be disposed to adj
J 100000 to our funds, we could certainl
use it to great advantage in an Agricultur
al and Scientific Department In my opin
: ion that sum is actually needed to max
this Institution whatthe farmers of Orlean
County and all the good citizens of the Stat
would glory to see it. Vermont is almo,
! the only State in which neither the farm
szs nor the Legislature have furnished an
help to the Agricultural College. | sa
| this not by way Of reproach or complain
l doubt not they have done what the
| deemed best. But Vermont should hay
Y her Agricultural College as thorough
/ equipped as any in the land 1t should
- provided with alarge cabinet of agricultu
= al products, models and implements.
? it attempts to manage an experiments
n firm, that farm should be furnished wit
e ample funds for those experiments whiC
e are specially needed in this State Coz
/ sTicuous among them are such exper
r IN ents as breeding and feeding cattle
IS are suggested in Dr. Goldsmith's interes
: ing address to the Dairymen's Associate
| at St. Adams. Not only the regular sta
> of instructors should be employed, but di
n tin guished and able men from abroad, wi
70 have made particular departments of agr
1t cultural science their special study, shou
lie be invited to lecture at the college, and
Mr.. Jameson suggests, in other parts
re the State. But all this costs money. tn
- work and the necessary collegiate instru
" ton cannot be obtained without ampl
le means than are at our disposal.
lie While then we think that we are dol
l. as good work as can be done with our funC
tn we are as fully persuaded as any one c.
a be, that with larger means we could
he much more. If any one can show US ht
@ with our means we can improve our COT
be ses, we shall be thankful for his aid.
re need not say thatwe shall be equally than
of full if any one will show us how to enlar
of our means. If the discussion started
ar Glover shall conduce to either result,
To- shall be as much rejoiced as any of t
is gentlemen, who took part in it.
Use Yours Very Respectfully,
for JAMES B. ANGEL,
President
ID An Invitation.