The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-20
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, April l

an last.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, April IL.
Correspondence Of The True Northerner.
The past week has been an characteristic OF
pleasant spring. Every thing seems to be
alive again. With the approach of spring work.
considerable uneasiness is manifest among the
many farmers Of our legislature, and the long
debates, participated in by the lawyers for the
display of oratory are becoming exceedingly
tiresome. The appropriation bills will o: neces-
sity be rushed through, and will be attended
by the usual dissatisfaction, whichever way
they may go.
President Abbot has for few days been
quite Ill, but is about his duties again. The
first monthly lecture before the Christian
Union, was gwen Sunday evening by Rev. c..
r. Wilkins. The students like to hear hum
and consequently the chapel was full. Mrs.
Ann Eliza Young lectured in the Opera House,
last Tuesday evening. Prof. Chas. Garfield is
doing the proof reading for the Secretary OF
the State Pathological Socletys report. Mr..
Garfield is stirring young man, and will leave
no stone unturned that could possibly reveal
anything OF interest to tn people Of the state.
The Juniors are engaged in trimming the
apple orchard under the direction OF Prof.
Beal. He intends to give each one chance to
learn TO prune and take care OF fruit trees from
the seed, until their fruit is in the cellar. 1t
seems very desirable to learn the art, if one
never expects to farm and indispensable to
every successful agricuturist. The Professor
thinks that now Is the best time to trim. Dur
ing the year. each JUNIOR will work in the
greenhouse four weeks, under the instruction
Of practical gardener will have practice and
receive instruction in growing vegetables, and
small fruits will have to learn how to take
care OF nurseries, bees, and how to lay out and
care for lawns, etc. 1t may seem TO some that
this is time thrown away and that "the boys"
could get 1t at home as well but they will not.
They prefer TO go INTO town. At the least is
our exercise, which we must have the compen-
satlon for which has enabled great many to
take college course, that otherwise could not
have done go. Four years is but short time
to stay when once started, and in that time, IN
addition to what practical knowledge of affairs
we may gain, the student has aroused in him
desire to know more of what there is in store
for HIM, and disposition TO search closely the
application of natures laws to every branch OF
human industry, and especially those so ele
mentary, yet long unknown that relate to the
noblest OF all persuts, agriculture. c. Z. =.
APRIL 14th.-A large number OF the members
Of the Legislature have visited the college dur
ing the last week and express very genera
satisfaction as to Its workings. There is but
little anxiety on the part OF the friends OF the
college, about the appropriation bill and it is
thought that there are enough in favor OF 1t to
put it through on the previous question and
thus cut off the long debate.
The work on both farm and garden have
fairly begun ard each student Is required to
work three hours day. except Saturday. The
absence OF freshmen who usually want con-
siderable extra work makes 1t necessary for
each of the older students to do all the work
they can afford time for
The farm department has to regret the loss
of one Of the best Ayrshire COWS in the state.
She was purchased OF Mr.. Mills of New y ork,
for which lie received $500. This is the first
case OF loss from milk fever on the farm and
cannot be said to have been occasioned by the
manner OF feeding but Is one of those mysterl-
Gus circumstances which cannot be avoided.
There has been considerable talk here this
spring about the telephone and especially as
constructed by Prof. Bell. The students here
soon learn not to adopt any idea until practical
" demonstrated and hence have sought to
prove tho workings OF this new invention. The
whole machine as used here consists Of two
cylindrical pieces OF tin eight inches long and
four in diameter, though any convenient size
Will do, this is covered with sheep skin. such az
is used for drum heads, drawn tightly over one
end only, and through each OF these heads
piece Of common cord is drawn which will vary
in length with the distance apart, OF the places
you wish to connect. The sound is carried so
distinctly that musical instrument sounds as
il in the room where it may be considerable
distance away. Voices can be recognized as
distinctly through it as II in the same room
with the listener. The only one now in use
here connects the room OF Davis and Brock
with that of Prudden and Robson and we sit
in our own room seventy-fve feet apart, with
our windows closed and converse as readily as
il in the room, We have found that common
cord is better than WIRE, but have found no
way as yet Of carrying around corners or over
window stills as it seems to disconnect the
sounds. Perhaps some who are not able to
JOIN the telegraph company Of Paw Paw will
be better satisfied with the telephone which
will not only convey words but sounds OF any
kind. @. f. b.
"Village Improv ement Societies." and "Nil-
lage Reform" are to be discussed in Scribner
! Ia H.. ar;x i and n