Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-03-23
The Success of Succeeding.

'TTis not in mortals TO command success
But wen do more, sompronus well deserve it."
Perhaps Addisons faith when he wro lie
that was founded on the philosophy of whom
old Ben Jonson called the "Sweet Swan Of
Avon" when he says with such an assurance
as would make the strictest professionalism
smile with delight:
There's a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough hew them how WILL"
But for all that neither Addison nor Shakes.
peare were inspired up to the point of in
iallibility. In the days when men had
greatness thrust upon them" when the
fame of poets or painters or historians de-
pended on the patronage Of royalty or the
nobility, the worth might exist, without any
corresponding success, but in these later
times they only have worthy enduring sue.
cess who have earned it. Our attention has
been called to this phase of the "college
question" as it is called. The college has
its course of study, its "chairs" Of science,
language, literature, history, morals, ETC.,
with accomplished men in them, but still the
agricultural department has few or no pu-
pills aud the friends of the college complain
that the farmers do not send thither their
sous for agricultural training. To US this
complaint seems neither philosophical nor
wise the sons of Vermont have neither
time nor money to try experiments; they
see no tangible, visible, substantial evidence
that the college can bestow the practical
culture they desire, and therefore they do
not seek instruction within its walls. We
regret this state Of things; the old univer-
sity has cherished name and traditions,
but even according to the old poet command
ing success is lesser achievement than de-
serving it, aud the college has failed as yet
TO command much success. The fact, if we
do not greatly err, is just here the farmers
of this state who are anxious for n better
agricultural culture for their sons than they
themselves enjoyed, have lost their conf
dence in the management of the college in
this direction, and no amount Of argument
by wise or unwise friends of that institution
will or can restore that confidence. The
history of the events connected with locat-
ing the college, the measures adopted to Sc
cure the control OF that fund as now held
aud tho work performed by the college dur
ing these years, have all created this dis
trust to which we refer.
The farmers believe that IL the eight
thousand dollars, or whereabouts, which the
college annually receives from that land
grant were used in connection with an ex
pertinent farm aud the needed buildings,--o
moderate size and modest pretensions, which
> score of towns would once, If not now, glad
ly furnish-in providing courses of lectures
on Veterinary Science, Practical Agricul
turc, Botany Horticulture--in fact every
u thing pertaining to farming in Vermont, the.
u believe, we say, that if this could b. don
they would get a hundrcd-fOld more thai
they now receive from the present DISPOSE
ton of that fund. The spontaneous, health y
n widespread popularity, keen interest in, an
f thorough appreciation of Prof. Cressys Ice
# lures only show how ready the farmers an
is their sons are to llcarn if they can have
i chance, and there would be many more at
r, tending his lectures in Burlington, jus! com
N mencing, were it not for the near approac
70 of "sugaring" matter Of farm work whic
$, can't be put off till moro convenient sea
m son." fact which perhaps every Que don
70 understand
8, We say it frankly because We know it
D, true, that if the college ever gains the cor
Ii fdence which has been forfeited, it can
al done only by commanding success :"
o. demonstrating their ability, and what
10 equally important 10 the farmers mind
ae their willingness to give that iustructiC
% which these rural sons and daughters
nd much desire. Success is TO be commando
b. aud the managers Of the college will pro-
as their fitness for the positions which they o
ne cupy by commanding the large succe
he which is possible; failing of this their u
I'm fitness will be as clearly demonstrated.
IA -s-S-s-
no Gen. s. O. Armstrongsof the Hamptr
Ia Institute says the champion singers" ha
- dsbanded, aud are either back in the Soho
90 or teaching in the south, and the troups ira