Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-04-26
A Successful Agricultural College

The Iowa Agricultural College seems to
be in a very lourishing condition, accord
ing to the accounts given of it by a CORES
pendent of the Y. Y. Tribune. who has
visited it the present winter The college
is located in story county, and has farm
connected with it of 60 acres, and the
state Legislature has appropriated for
buildings and improvements the sum Of
100000. The present college building
cost $40 600, and it is expected that an
other appropriation of 5000 will soon
be made by the state for the erection Of
another ediice, as there were over seven
ty-fve applications for admission last year
more than could be accommodated. The
number of students last year was $50, Of
whom 80 were young women. As the sub
Jet Of agricultural colleges and their man.
agement is being somewhat discussed in
our own state, and As everything bearing
upon the subject IS of interest, we make
quite lengthy extracts from the above men
toned correspondence:
"As the farm is new, much heavy, and.
what should be called dead work, was re-
quired. most of which was performed by
the students. They graded and sodded all
around the buildings; they made thirteen
acres of lawn, the finishing work of which
required the use Of shovels, rakes and hoes.
and the work was well done They plant
ed an orchard Of 500 trees, raised 200O trees
in nursery rows, set out evergreens and
hedges, dug cellars and bitches, and in one
place dug q ditch 70 rods long which aver
aged II feet deep, and this was done by
some of the best scholars. They butcher
ed, foddered, and cared for cattle and hor-
ses, and always MIXED. OF stock there
were 60 head, including Ayrshire, Alder
neys, Devons and Durhams, with grades
100 good blooded sheep, with shepherd
dogs, II horses and 20 hogs.
The prices paid the students for work
was from to 10 cents an hour. They are
charged 1915 a week for board, which is
good, and this sum pays also for room rent
fuel and light, and they pay 90 cents doz.
en- for washing. Those who drink tea anG
coffee are charged extra Something above
a dozen have more than paid their way by
their labor; upward of halfha more thar
half paid it. The little fellows sent from
towns were so fighty and required so mud
watching, that their wages were cut down
to cents an hour but those nearly mer
grown and brought up in idleness, are
ashamed to be cutdown, and notwithstand
ing their hands were soft and their knee.
and backs weak, they mustered resolution
dents and workers as any on the ground
Think of that. Book-keepers are selected
to keep the ACCOUNTS, whether relating t.
work, board, flashing, or the funds, or af
fairs of the institution.
. The students arise at $50 o'clock A. NJ
the year round, and the time to 6:45 is Civ
en- for them to put their rooms in order, St
that they will pass inspection W hen break
fast is ready. Chapel services are at $40
recitations from to 1915 dinner is at
Work commences at 2 ?. NJ. and lasts I'm
!, til D. Supper at $50; recreation until
, study until 10, when lights are out and ev
erybOdy is to be in bed. Scarcely any 9th
<, er than farm work has been done as ye
for mechanical department has not bee
organized. Last year they cut and save
f $50 tons of hay, raised 1856 bushels of sprin
wheat from 40 acres of land, 900 bushe
OF corn from the same number Of acres, 8
r acres OF oats, yielding 40 bushels to tn
q acre, 4 acres of potatoes 700 bus els, 2acrt
o of sorgo, acre of beets 200 bushels, {
rutabagas, poor crop, and there were
>. acres IN garden which gave abundance {
vegetables, Generally, blowing and sue
work as demands constant application
o done by hired help, but all other work
= done by students still, when weather
e catching, they work when they can, an
v when property is to be saved they work o,
OF hours and even late into the night
r. There are 40 acres of oak, blackwalnu
II ash, hickory, maple and locust timber {
u the farm. The students cut fallen and
d cayed trees into fre-wood, posts and rail
: and they thin out the forest by taking Of
!. worthless sorts, or young trees standing t.
/ thick, that the growth and value of tt
n property may be increased. Last year thu
d built 24O rods of new fence, repaired O
: fences, and put the farm in good workir
= order
d The whole school is divided into grou
of six students each, which choose the