The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-02
The Agricultural College.
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AND FARM sUPERIN-
TENDENT


Hon. Abner Coburn, President of the Board
of Trustees of the State College of Agriculture
and the Mechanic Arts, has submitted his an
nual report to the legislature 1t has been
shown that the bold policy of establishing an
independent college best meets the require
ments of those who are to be educated for the
active pursuits of life. The training provided
in this college is just what is needed for practi-
cal men who are to engage in the industrial
callings. The farm, though requiring some
outlay to bring it to high state of culture, is
valuable, and affords good opportunities for ex-
periments in the different methods OF cultiva-
ton. The college now enters upon the fourth
year of its existence with the too sangulne ex-
pectatlons of its ardent friends sobered down to
q Just requirement, the mistrust of those who
had no confidence in its plans giving. way, ana
the indifference of the great mass OF tine coni-
munity removed.
The buildings commenced last year have
been completed, and there are now accommo-
dations for 125 students. In the revision OF
the course of study, provision has been made
for four full courses, viz; course IN Agricul-
eure, in Civil Engineering, in Mechanical En-
cheering and an Elective Course. A special
course ID also provided for students not wishing
to take the whole amount OF studies required
for graduation, by allowing them to select from
sire, provided they are qualified to pursue these
studies successfully, Rev. G. +. Allen, A NJ, a
graduate of Bowdoin College, and ripe scholar,
is President of the institution and has charge OF
the department of English Literature and Men
tai Science; Prof. NJ. o. Fernald, A. nj. Is Pro-
fessor of Mathematics and Physics; Prof. L. l.;
Packard, A. NJ. Professor Of Chemistry and
the Modern Languages; Prof. w. A. Fike, Y.
E., Professor of Civil Engineering; Prof z. ID.
Ferpald, A. NJ Professor of Natural History.
@ hia OOsifiOO
as Farm Superintendent, j. r.. Harrington OF
| Brewer was elected to his place, and entered
upon his duties in April. In the completion OF
the buildings, the purchase of furniture and APP
paratus for the the different departments, and
debt Of thirteen thousand dollars has been in
CURED. The trustees regretted the creation OF
| this debt; but the alternative was forced upon
| them to suffer the college to struggle along In
crippled condition, with little caapaclty OF use
! fulness, and no prospect of fulfilling the design
for which it was established, or to exceed the
appropriation of last year, by furnishing the
suitable facilities for the college to enter upon
| its fourth year. with a strong faculty, and all
the conditions necessary TO insure success. Inc
| Trustees deem it necessary that residences for
| the President and one of the Professors should
be erected on the college grounds.
For these buildings there viii be required
the sum of $4,000 90
For farm improvements, 5000 90
apparatus ANU Hprary' ~ ~
$4,000 90
Add to this the debt incurred In behalf Of
the college, as shown by the Treasurers 90. -
Ri TepO 0nn,aid 1872 IS
| $1,000
Making total Of $4,000 90
The farm superintendent gives detailed re-
port of various experiments on the farm, stock
kept, and improvements made.
In the Senior class there are six students,
Junior 6,Sophomore 6, Freshman pa total of
| A. Candidates for admission must be not less
than Is years of age, and must pass a satisfac-
tory examination in Arithmetic, Geography,
English Grammar, History of the United
| States, and Algebra as far as Quadratic Equa-
| tions. Satisfactory testimonials of good moral
character and industrious habits are rigidly ex-