Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-05-05
The U. v. M. and S. A. G.

There has recently been issued a circular
on the scientific departments of the Univer.
sity of Vermont and State Agricultural Col.
lege. A great deal Of unwarranted preju.
dice exists against scientific agriculture, arts.
ing entirely from ignorance and the jeal.
ousy of innovation. But the fact remains,
never to be disputed, that whatever advance
ment is made in farming must come from the.
ory and science.
We can give no better idea of the course
of agriculture indicated in this circular than
by selecting few extracts like the follow
ing:
In the studies which relate to vegetable
and animal life, the means are at hand for
giving practical instruction in the laws and
conditions of health and growth in plants
and animals their diseases and enemies, the
principles of Adjudication and breeding, the
processes of budding and grating, the char
acteristcs and cultivation Of the various
cereals, forest trees, etc. Arrangements
have been made by which hereafter a series Of
lCOAulCo Ou SNSllhhl1 oNAShNS ehN HAeSh'NN
will be given as often as may be needed
This course prepares young men either for
conducting the scientific experiments which
a more enlightened agriculture is beginning
to require aud which will probably occupy
an increasing corps Of men in the next gen.
Grafton, or for entering upon the work Of
farming with a scientific knowledge which
experience will soon turn to profitable ac-
count.
Although four years course is strongly
recommended as the shortest period in which
student can acquire anything like a full
and accurate knowledge Of the principles Of
agriculture, provision is made for those who
are unable to spare that amount of time for
education.
We especially encourage young men who
cannot leave the farm during the working
season to take up certain studies and pursue
them during successive winters, say from
the first Of November to the first of May
Such course followed out for four or FIVE
winters would accomplish much for the young
farmer. We inUite correspondence on this
subject.
On one point it may be well to say word,
1t has been asserted that farmers sous, or
young men studying agricultural science, in
a University, side by side with others pursu.
ing classical or literary studies, will be under
a sort of ban Of InferiOrity. Nothing could
be more absurd than such a notion, at least
as regards this University in which large
number Of the students are and have always
been farmers sons, and in which a dem
ocratic equality prevails to degree unknown
to the outside world. If students are some.
times conceited, it is towards those UithOm,
neper towards those within.
1t is to be noted, also that we have not
here an independent Agricultural college by
the side OF another institution, but one Uni
versity of which all the students are alike
members, those belonging to its different
departments often reeiting IN the same classes,
and all sharing its privileges and honors ac-
cording to their personal merits without invld
ious distinctions.
1t is IN reality great gain to men Of the
different callingS to grow up together in the
same institution. They learn to respect and
cease to fear each other. The farmer who
has matched himself 10 the Same recitation
room, 10 the same debating society, and on
the same stage, with the lawyer or the min.
lister, feels himself TO be socially and profess
sonally his peer, possibly as an individual
his superior. At any rate this personal con-
tact amid variety of studies is a mutual
benefit.
We trust that the farmers throughout the
state who desire to see their sons instructed
in their own profession will recognize thu
obvious advantages offered by the University
Of Vermont aud State Agricultural College
Any information about any of the depart
ments will be gladly furnished by the presi
dent, NJ. IL. Buckham. For a synopsis o
studies, terms of tuition, board, etc., see cat
alogue which will be sent gratuitously to any
address.
We eliD the following from m obituar,