The Portland daily press., 1871-08-08
DAILY PRESS.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1871.
The College of A Agriculture and Mechan-
20 Arra
PORTLAND.

The College of Agriculture and Mechan-
ic Arts.
Despite the violent opposition this instilu
tion has met on every hand, including men Vi
liberal culture aud practical people VINO uo
mand fruit before the tree is pauted, 'niS III
stitution seems sure of more than ordihary
success.
1t has not yet graduated its first class, 1t has
not ct secured such corps OF teachers as its |
pecn,iar mission demands, it has harlly OBJ |
tanned the necessary buildings, it has suffered
from mistakes that could not be avoided, vet
its third class will be as large or LARGER than
any of those that enter the other colleges in
the State except Bowdoin.
We doubt if any of our colleges in their third
year admitted twenty-five students-the num-
Der that have already presented themselves
for the new class at Orono. This is meas
nre OF success that it could hardly have ex-
pecteu, and one that must give encourage
ment to its earnest friends.
IL is urged that there are too many col
leges in Maine-,that one is all that can be
properly supported. This is undoubtedly
true; but We have them, and it is very GER
tain that those who have struggled through
adversely for half century will not be willing
to consolidate now, when they have passed
the hardest part OF their way to success. But
this institution at Orono in no way conflicts
with the other colleges of the State. II will
draw from them but very small number
OF students if any at all. 1t offers induce
ments to class of young men who from in
chnatlon or want of means would never think
OF regular college course, consequently lead
ing hundreds to pursue course of study that
Will be of inculculable benefit to the indus.
trial and educational interests of the State.
To-day, Maine needs men skilled in the
science of manufacturing cotton, wooden
and other fabrics as much as she needs CAP
ita to develop her water power. In a great
number of cases, capital has been upremu-
neratiye, simply because the factories have
been managed by men utterly ignorant of the
principles that can be taught in such "a school
as the managers at Orono intend to make
that.
There are those who will ridicule this idea,
but practical manufacturer connected with
the board of management says it can and will
be done, and that too at a small expense,
Why not? Why cannot an intelligent man.
macturer so instruct class of boys that thew
can intelgently 60 into factory or shop and
practically superintend what they have been
taught?
We are told, that better system of agri-
culture would have given us hay crop in
Maine this year worth hundreds of thousands
oil dollars Certainly we have many proofs of
this fact. Side by side, all through tie State,
one held produces ton or two tons of excel
lent hay to the acre while the other is so bar
rem that it puzzles the owner to tell whether
be has moved over it or not. Already this
Institution has the services of some of our
best theoretical and practical farmers, men
who calculate with certainty upon fair crop
OF hay every year. Is it lot possible, then,
t'at the results of their investigations may be
dlnused over the State through the agency of
hundred yoang men who it is hoped will be
sent from that institution each year?
An additional advantage to be derived from
this institution will be the services Of large
number OF teachers, of a more practical charac-
ter for our common schools that will annually
go out both as graduates and coegiates thus
making the Orono school valuable to the |
State as Normal school.
We have only glanced at few of tie adj
Vantages that the State may reasonably ex-
pect from the College of Agriculture and Me
chanic Arts. 1t has already several excellent
teachers and will add number more the COM
ing term, among these as President, Rev.
Charles F. Allen, a gentleman of thorough
culture, rare ability and wide experience.
The Trustees are among the most promi-
nent citizens of the State-men who have
been successful in their respective vocations
and who have taken hold of this matter with
purpose to make it a success.
1t may serve the purpose of class of would
be-wits to heap their ridicule upon this in
stitution; but it may be submitted to fair
minded people if it is not worth the money
that has been expended to secure from the
general government sum of money, annu-
ally, that will pay the salaries and other run
ming expenses of school that will insure to
the sons of The laboring classes a practical ed.
ucatlon free of.tuition and the means of pay
ing their way as they 60, so that when they
leave the institution they may not be burden
ed with debt.
In New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, and
other States these institutions have met the
most fatterng success and there is no posi-
BILE reason why it will not in Maine. At any
rate, let us give it as fair trial as has been
given to any of the other colleges of the state
before it is condemned.