Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-03-06
The Farm ers and the Agricultural
College.

On Wednesday evening, Feb. %, few
farmers, among them several members Of
the Board of Agriculture, met by invita-
tion the trustees and faculty OF the "Agri-
cultural College" at the American House
in Burlington. A gentleman who was pres
ent has sent us the following notes Of the
meeting, which was OF the pature Of a con-
ference, to consider what change it any is
necessary in the present management of the
college to fully carry out the purposes set
forth in the charter to the complete satisfac-
ton Of the citizens Twenty persons we're
present.
President Buckham briefly mentioned the
object of the meeting and said that soon af-
ter the reception of the agricultural fund u
course of winter lectures were proposed
upon scientific and practical subjects for the
benefit of those who desired to take an ag-
ricultural course without especial interfer-
enco with the time that could be most profit
ably spent in farm labor, but such u course
ut the time met with no encouragement, but
now tho sentiment of the people seemed
more favorable to such course and Prof
Collier would read II schedule of lectures
that might be delivered this spring.
Prof. Collier then read q list OF about one
hundred lectures divided so that from two
to five should be delivered each day, and
all within four weeks. The subjects were
agricultural chemistry, botany, fish culture,
dairying, bee keeping and forestry.
A. Il. Halbert was obliged to leave on the
early train, and took occasion to say that
such q course OF lectures he should approve.
I'm utHan in1 N "a
young men of the state had their plans laid
for steady or active work, and series of
lectures so suddenly produced without pre-
ViOus notice or advertisement and in the
spring would not be likely to meet with q
response that would be encouraging, and
very much such lectures had been delivered
under the auspices of tho board of agrlcul-
ture in different parts of the state. He
stated that there was n feeling ii dissatisfac-
ton in the state in regard to the agricultural
college that in some cases was Vehemently
expressed and deeply felt. The farmers de-
sired that practical agriculture should be
illustrated to the students OF that depart
ment. The medical student comes in con-
tact with the human body In tho hospital
and on the dlssecting table, the student in
chemistry has the laboratory, .andj agricultu-
raj students need illustrations of the teach
ings IN that department.. A bed of beets or
cabbage grown on the college grounds rs an
experiment would strengthen the faith OF
the farmers In the college rs place where
farmers boys might learn practical science.
C. ii. Heath inquired how much land was
owned by the college and was informed
thirty acres in all, and probably eight or ten
acres back of the college was unoccupied.
lie suggested that at present large klrni
was not required. Take the land that you
have, improve il and by judiciousl manage
ment there might be four hundred students
enjoying the instruction of this college and
the confidence and patronage of VormOnters
would be obtained and held by this college.
As no understood. it the case lis like this ut
the present time;
In many towns in the state there are farm
eTs who own'very fine farms and are worth
S20, 900, $50 200. and some $4,000, these
farmers have n son that they desire should
be well educated, yet be n farmer. In in
telligenee and culture they would have him
equal to the lawyer, doctor, or Iyour, college
professor, yet be farmer and care for the
| farm. 10 accomplish this these sons should
be educated ut an institution that gives prom
inence to those branches that are referred tc
in the charter of the college and In the con
gressional act donating the endowment
practical agriculture, horticulture, yeterina,
ry science, landscape gardening, etc.. as wei
rs agricultural chemistry. Il may be true
that you now teach many things useful tc
the farmer. When.he acknowledgement nm