The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1877-03-01
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The TINES by special request prints me
report Of Edward Ballaine, chairman oil the
committee TO visit the Agricultural Col
lece- IL will be found very interesting
rs.5;ns The sensible course for the leg
i.lature to pursue would be to stop making
concentrations for it, and sell the grounds
and buildings and stock thereon at auction
"a the highest bidder in cash. The whole
theory of school OF this character explod-
ed long ago. 1t may be great thing for
the town in the way of small retail trade,
but 50 far as benefit to the State it is alb
solutely worthless.
Here is the report in full
Ma. SPEAKER A subcommittee Of
your committee on Needed Legislation, TO
ascertain facts relating TO bill reported by
said committee, relating to the Agricultu-
raj College, after visiting the institution,
submit the following report:
The State Agricultural College, for the
benefits of agriculture and mechanical arts,
at Manhattan, after an existence OF ten
wears, receiving from the State, during that
time, $194, s75 So, and being endowed with
a grant of land from the general Govern
ment-the yearly income OF the proceeds Of
half of said lands being $4,000 now-is
to-day a college without college building,
which premises are entered through a hole
in q stone wall. The structures OF that IN
stitutIon consist of a wing OF stone barn,
temporarily fitted up for recitation rooms,
which, on account OF its particular strGc-
ture, is dark and gloomy, furnished with
rough pine, and resembles the interior of a
poor-house more than that which its name
indicates; horticultural building, me-
chanical building, laboratory, and q
cheap blacksmith chop, neither of which
buildings are Of the same architectural
style, situated lar apart, without any ap-
parent design In their construction, and
connected with each other by plank wall,
entirely devoid of ornamental grounds, and
innocent OF any beauty in the surroundings
thereof.
Twenty-eight acres OF the farm are occu-
pied in struggling orchards and nurseries,
and about iiity acres more are fields, in
which grasses, corn and wheat are occa-
sionaily raised.
The stock department consist OF 2S head
of horned cattle, including Short-Horns,
Devons, Galloways, and Jerseys, and two
teams Of mules furnish the power for the
farm. A few head of Berkshires constitutes
the swine Of the establishment. Though
provided with scales, pens, and yards, it
does not appear that in the stock depart
ment or any other department of the insti-
tuition any method has been introduced :;
nor has any new idea or suggestion tending
TO the benefits of agriculture ever been ad-
vanced by the College, except that long
scions are preferable in grating than short
ones.
The curriculum of the institution con-
tains a six-years' course of study, and in
ten years only II persons have graduated,
and comparatively very few of the students
now desire to become farmers. The aver
age attendance Is III students, taught by
10 professors and tutors, at a cost of So
S02.96 last year; the College hours are from
$50 A. NJ. TO Pm.
Some effort is now made in educating
women as an iDdustrialist, and TO some ex-
tent, but only recently, practical agriculture
Is illustrated, and somewhat practiced.
The aims of the institution and the appar-
ent result thereof are very far from harmon
izing with each other.
The rules and regulations are three, viz.
lst. Behave yourself at all times and in
all places.
ID. Attend to your own business prompt
ly, thoroughly and courteously, and vigor-
ously let alone that of other people.
Sd. Penalty-leave.
With tine above facts it il evident to
your committee that the State Agricultural
College, financially supported as it has
been, has been an imposition on the tax
payers of the State of Kansas, and unless it
can be made to accomplish that which its
name indicates, had better be wiped out of
existence.
But in view Of the money already ex-
pended there, and that the agricultural in
terests of the State may be fostered, your
committee would suggest that the ins,itu-
ton be continued, and that the Regents Of
The institution should in no way be con-
nected with the College or have any local
interests in its vicinity that their practical
pursuits should be one of the qualifications
for such Regents; that their duties be
strictly defined by law that suitable build
ings be furnished, with their necessary APP
pendages, TO the end that an education
based on common sense, and practically
useful to the student and to the State, may
be obtained.
EDWARD BALLAINE,
Chairman Committee