The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-08-15

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measure Indicated by the terms
of the sf:.nt by which they were
created
It. may reasonably be infcrre Il
thai it was the intention that they
should be really useful rather than
ornamental that the object was cen
tered IN the idea of utility rath-
er than a vague expenditure of I
time and money. 1t may also be
presumed that they were intended /
Tin one particular at lcast) TO fiji
place that was not yet occupied in
many of the institution that now
exist, or that instruction ia the
science and art of agriculture was
to hold prominent place in them.
While this is supposed 10 have been
the leading intention, it was no |
where indicated that lessons in ag-
riculture should be taught to the |
the exclusion OF all others. They |
were designed then to TO confer
such advantages upon our farmers
sons and daughters as have not
hitherto been realized in our COM
mon schools or in The higher insti-
tutions of our country. Unless
those departments of instruction
are not only introduced, but that
they hold a prominent place, these
| Tsa Co. 10 h
intention which induced their foun-
dation. TO use q familiar illnstra-
tion, they may be compared with the
play of Hamlet, with Hamlet left
out.
How, then, should they be organi-
zed? Or, what branches should be
taught in them? 1t may reasonably
be answered that these questions
may still be open for discussion and
determination, inasmuch as these
institutions in the several localities
which are receiving these benefits
are doing their work, each for them
selves, In q way that each has devils
ed, and in which there is nothing
like uniformity in their curriculum
of studies. The plans of studies
in our colleges, and IN our common
schools even, are subject to OCCASION
al modification, although their gen.
eral plans have been followed, and
in accordance with long established
precedents, this advantage is
not available TO our agri-
cultural colleges. Each of them
has commenced its work without
the guide of presidents, and it was
e to be expected that each would on
form to the tastes and opinions OF
those who inaugurated them in the
: several States. They have not, so
: rar as we have observed, had the ad-
Il vantage of suggestion and advice
y from those conventions of teachers
: of the whole country which have
= been statedly held for several years
u past.
e The particular line of studies tC
J. be introduced should evidently be
l. made TO conform to that which is
n demanded In order to fit the pupil
r for the pursuit of his vocation as &
Ie farmer. And that certain meas
Is ure of preparation for entrance into
the regular classes should be requir-
= ed, is equally evident. 1t may hi
il found proper, (for the reason that j
d may be imperatively necessary.
Ie that some of these preparatory les
y sons be given within the college
q and in a preparatory department.
" Every line of study has its ap
e propriate text book, without which
1t no subtantial systematic progress
n can be made. The proper tex
N books for the study of agriculture
have not yet accumulated in larg'
h numbers but there are some tina
s, will serve a good purpose, unit
4 more systematic and appropriate
B. ones are furnished. The works o
ts Liebig and Johnson are perhaps
d among the best to which the SUDDEN
Sc can now haYe access, and they are
lie in such as will eventually lead thu
ut student back to more elementar.
IN lessons in chemistry in order that h
e. may better appreciate them.
d 1t has been supposed that Their
70 was tendency to give an undue
m proportion of time to lessons il
% chemical analysis, and while tn
is student had not yet acquired the
o more simple lessons in eIementar!
r chemistry. But few persons cal
l. reasonably expect to become experts
ct as analytical GheHlsts, and but {
70 limited number can afford to engage
d in the careful analysis of oils, oil
l. account of the expenditure of tins
Ie and of money that Is deman ded 70
d the purchase of necessary apparatus
d Reagents. Any western State vii
g. do we'll and lift can furnish one plac
l. where this work eau be acGqratel.
'r done, aud there can be no more ap
d propriate place for tho purpose
y than At the agricultural college.