New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
CORNELL UAIFERSIIY.
AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

hNhlN l IL NAL iNSIhN'IIOH
To me EdttOr OF The Tribune,
SIR: In report in The TRIBUNE on how
| Cornell University Is Managed" and the methods
practced IN giving instruction 10 the students IN scen
tc ana practical agriculture the President OF the uni
versity Prof White, makes some statements before the
Comm siOners appointed by Gov. DIX that are likely 10
el forth unfavorable comments and shake the conf
dence OF intelligent American farmers in The manage
ment of the agricultural department OF that institution
Among other things Prof White states that Prof Henry
McClndless was chosen preside over this de-
partment about two years since from the Az
ricultural School Of Gasnevn, Ireland He however,
declined to take OF the whole farm, and insisted
on having a small farm OF 40 acres properly lifted up
far special farming. The agricultural implements that
he wanted were furnished from England At the time
the appointment OF Prof. McCandess was made by the
Faculty OF Cornell University 1t was matter OF very
general surprise and regret among our enlightened
farmers that Professor for tns important position
should be taken from school and country where labor
plenty ami high priced, and tie methods applicable
50 different that they hardly can be said 10
bear resemblance 10 another. With us
farming land is abundant, rich. aud cheap, and
fertilizing material hin the compass OF
all but good quality of farm labor is excessively
high calling the substitution Of improved farm nl-
pements and machinery whenever IL Is possible in
stead of manual labor, in carrying on farming III tins
country with any certainty of profit. Taking for
granted, tlen thab ITo McCtltchS - tioIpuGulS ID
mliar with the principles of agriculture il would take
him at least the length of time he spent at Cornell TO
learn the pressing of the American farmer and
the method, that our necessities call for before his in.
structiOns 10 young students az Cornell University
would lead any practical good. THESE
facts seemed to he overlooked or ignored by
the appointing power at Cornell University in
making selection for tins important position.
Having the agricultural implements wanted furnished
from England not sound well to those not IA
miiar with the subject, hut 10 the uhpreJuuced VINO
have taken the pains to examine AMERICAN ana Eughsh
farm implements, the former so FAR aIea1 %
leave no for comparison. The English tools are
heavy and clumsy. and not adapted 10 our wants or
work wood in an English fdln-cart than
would make two FOR American although there is no
more weight nut the former than on the latter This
useless size and unnecessary weight Will Dc found TO
ruu all through English farm tools, even when the
English farm tools not only not adapted
10 the work he done, but primitive in construc-
tiOD Take for instance the improved gram cradle. 1t
has only two fingers each OF about two feet IN length
of his cradle against the standing gram, Thus
calling another man. extra hand, 10 remove this
loose grain before any more can he cut and thus taking
two men TO do the work OF who knows
American grain cradle. Ia wide sections OF England
and Ireland the grain crop is i cut by the ordinary
roaming hook and the low PAID Will admit OF this
method IN the harvest ned But thls KIND OF man
acencnt won't when wages in harvest time viii
range from 81 50 10 IS day, nor viii II do To burden
men receiving sucn high wages with clumsy and unnec-
essarIv heavy farm tools wholly out OF proportion for
the kind OF work for which they are intended as nap
mems 10 he the ca e with of the English farm mple
ments. Under such circumstances II was "a matter OF
surprise TO many intelligent American farmers when the
appointing power NJ Cornell University selected frot
Henry McCandless for instructor III Prhcuca hgrlcu
turr at the University H. L. "
hcrdrt, ". j. Dec. - 1873