The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-14
BY TELEGRAPH.
MAINE.
The Agricultural College.
Annual Report of the Trustees and OFF,
GERS.
MAINE.
Especial to the Press.l


the Legislature their eleventh annual report
The prospects of the college were never more
than at the present time The COL
lege terms have been reduced from three to
two and a revision of the course of study has
been made during the past year, aud the re-
suits are very satisfactory. During the last
year fifty-eight students were admitted, which
is larger number than for any previous year.
On the farm the area OF pasturage and field
has been enlarged, and new and important ex-
periments In the application of fertilizers have
been made.
The Legislature last winter made an appre-
priation for new farm house, and during the
year substantial and thoroughly built wooden
structure has been erected at cost of S. OBS IS.
In order to meet the requirements of the farm
for some time to come, it was found necessary
to build larger than was at first proposed, and
therefore the cost has slightly exceeded the ap.
preparation.
Last year attention was called to the fact
that the department of mechanical engine er-
ing in its facilities for practical instruction, is
behind the other departments of the college.
Attention was also called to the Russian system
into this country. The system had just then
been adopted at the Boston School of Techno-
logy, with the saHeuine expectation that ii
would prove very effective aid to this branch
OF education. A years experience has justi-
lied the confidence then expressed in regard to
It's feasibility and Importance. 1t may be said
of this system that it appears to furnish an
emlnently simple, economical and effective
method of teaching young men the use of TOOLS
The reports of the several departments show
that there is need of additional room to accom-
MEDIATE the classes that are now in the college.
Inc recitation rooms are too small, and there
is need of more apparatus. If shop for in
struction in the mechanic arts were erected the
upper part of the building might be finished
for drawing room, and thus the pressure for
more space for the classes might be partially
relieved.
All the departments of the college have
been under the charge of competent and faith.
full teachers, and excellent progress has been
made 10 the studies pursued.
Prof. Feraald recommends an appropriation
OF $4,000 by the Legislature for the building of
init workshops for giving practical instruc-
tl0n In the mechanic arts
During the past year 1,007 volumes and SO
pamphlets have been added to the library, The
whole number of books in the library at the
present time is 8, GAS and 636 pamphlets. Of
the book received during the past year the Ban
gor library has furnished $50 volumes, s, l.,
various sources.
Upon the farm the following experiments
have been made: In feeding swine with cook
ed meal and raw meal, to ascertain the relative
value of such food for the production of pork !;
in planting potatoes; in the use Of manures for
top.dressing grass land; to ascertain what ele-
ments OF plant food are wanting in the soil, and
in cultivating the sugar beet These expert
ments have been very successful and furnish q
large fund OF valuable information, which
should be placed within the reach of every far
mer of Maine.
The receipts from the farm house have been
o,2747 II; expenditures. 81, 473 so; excess of ex-
penditures over receipts, 81, 1893 SO. A part o (
this deficit should be charged off to permanent
improvements. The farm Superintendent saws
il in managing the form its highest capabilities
as an educational appliance of the college shall
be Kept IN view, it does not seem probable it
can ever be made to be permanently a source
of revenue. 1t would appear rather, that to
make it means of income should be deemed
sure evidence of misdrection in its use, since
this can only be done by diverting it from the
higher and more valuable purposes for which it
was intended
FARM AND BUILDINGS.
The college farm contains $40 acres of land
OF high natural productiveness, and of great
diversity of soil, and is therefore well adaptei
to the experimental purposes of the institution
White Hall, the building first erected, af-
fords excellent accommodations for limited
number OF students. The lower rooms of this
building are appropriated to general and class
purposes.
Brick Hall contains 4S rooms. The boarding
house connected with the college is open to
students. With these buildings, the Institution
furnishes accommodation for I25 students.
Inc chemical laboratory contains two appara-
tus rooms, lecture room, a cabinet. a library
and Weighing room, recitation room, and
FNnr FAM Irk. .Atx.
In all respects admirably adapted to the wants
OF the chemical and meteorological departments
The Treasurer, Hon. Isaiah Stetson, gives
the following as the receipts and expenditures
OF the College for the year ending Nov. 30, 1877:
Receipts, $26, 056 "a; expenditures, $25 Sl5. 90;
balance, $241.25
DESIGN OF THE COLLEGE.
Is is the design of the Maine State College of
Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, to give the
young men of the State who may desire it, at
7. moderate COST the advantage of thorough,
liberal and practical education. 1t proposes to
40 this by means of the most approved meth
DDS of obstruction, by giving to every young
man who pursues the course of study an oppor-
tunlty practically to apply the lesson he learns
IN the class room, and by furnishing him facili-
Ties OF defraying part of his expenses by his
own labor.
By the act of Congress granting public lands
Tor the endowment and maintenance of such
colleges, it Is provided the leading object of
such an institution shall be. ''without exclud-
ng. other scientific and classical studies. and
including military tactics, to teach such branch
- OF learning as are related to agriculture and
,he mechanic arts"
While the courses Of study fully meet this
equlsltioD, and are especially adapted to pre-
'are the student for agriculture and mechani-
al pursuits, it is designed that they shall be
llso sufficiently comprehensive, and of such a
naracter, as to secure to the student the disci-
Zine OF mind and practical experience neces.
airy Tor entering upon other callings or pro-
essions.
CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION.
Candidates for admission to the Freshman
lass must be not less than fifteen years of age,
no must pass satisfactory examination in
rithmetic, geography, English grammar (es-
ecIal attention should be given to orthography,
onctatlon and capitalist history of the United
tates, algebra as far as quadratic equations
nd five books in geometry.
Although the knowledge of Latin is not re-
ulred as condition of admission. vet the
tudy of that language is earnestly recommend
d TO all who intend to this institution.
COURSE oE INSTRUCTION.
Five full courses are provided. viz A course
agriculture; in civil engineering; in mechani-
Il engineering; in chemistry; and in science
nd literature. The studies of the several
purses are essentially common for the first two
ears.
There will be regular exercises during the
'ur years in English composition, declama-
on and military tactics. Lectures will be
ven to the Freshmen class on physics, mete-
'ology, physical geography and botany; to the
ophomore class on chemistry, horticulture and
ractlcal agriculture; to the Junior class on
latomy, physiology, astronomy and English
teratore. and to the Senior class on rural law.
lneralogy, geology, stock breeding, cultivation
grasses and cereals
EXPENSES
Tuition is free to students residing within the
ste. Those from other States are charged |
per term. Rooms are free. All bedding |
"a 1urnlture must be supplied by the students, |
no VIII also furnish their own lights. Board, |
ash1ng and fuel is furnished at cost. The |
nee Oh board is two dollars and sixty cents per |
EEK; washing sixty cents per dozen. The |
rms are SO arranged that the long vacation &C. |
rs IN the winter, so that students may have |
opportunity to teach during the term.
Highway Robbery.
RICHMOND, Jan. 12.-W. S. Gray, of this
ace, an organ salesman for j. T. Robinson.
IS waylaid and robbed by two men batgeen
rter's Corner and Litchfeld Corner. night
fore last They made him stand up, and ri.
his pockets, taking what money he had-a
lall sum-his pocket knife, etc, then babe him
I'VE on. It'll thought the men belong near there
knew ofhis transactions, and supposed he
large sum with him, as he had the night
tore. Paw