Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-06
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Reply to the Criticism of the College of
Agriculture


EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: 1t lisa pity that those
who undertake to enlighten the public concern
ing the University donot firstnake themselves
throughly acquainted with the institution.
Nearly the only answer the friends of the in
stitution have hitherto made to adverse criti-
cism has been the invitation "to come and
see." Those who have accepted this invita-
ton, and have examined for themselves, have
been more than satisfied. These reflections
have been suggested by an article lately pub
lished in San Francisco journal. We do
not intend making any elaborate defense of
the University, but desire to correct two
errors, which seem to be widespread.
l. The writer states that four or five years
ago the number of students was $50 ; now,
only $50. The natural inference from this
statement is. that about 1875 the number of
students reached the highest point, and has
declined steadily ever since. Now, inspec-
ton OF the register shows that in 1879 the
number OF students was 23l ; in 1876, 80 ;
in 1877, 305 in 1873, 31S; i'll 1879, 49,
The register for 1880 is not yet out, but we
learn by inquiry that the number is 267.
These figures give the actual number in con-
nection with the University during the
session. The number in actual attendance at
any one moment is less by about 10 or 80,
the others being mostly on leave of absence,
for various reasons. 1t is seen, then, that SO
far as numbers may be taken as an evidence
of success, the University eliminated in 1879,
during the administration of its present
head. Surely the causes of the decline dur
ing the present year are obvious enough
without charging 1t to Encouragement. We
would only mention hard times, eleution of
the standard of admission, and loss by dis
cipline, as among them.
q The writer says the Agricultural
College is a myth-that it is not college at all,
but only department. Is there anything
peculiar about the status of the Agricultural
College in this respect? Chemistry is a de-
partment. Is the College of Chemistry there
fore myth? Classics and English literature
are departments. Is the College of Letters
therefore a myth? Mining, mechanic arts
and engineering are each departments. Are
the Colleges of Mining, Mechanic Arts and
Engineering therefore myths? They all stand
on the same footing in this respect. There
seems to be some perverse misunderstanding
here Agriculture is a department, it is true,
but it is the central department around which
all the other departments of this college clus-
ter and to which they are subsidiary. Classics
also is department, bDt it is the central de-
partment of group of subsidiary depart
ments; and so of all the other colleges. A
reference again to the register shows that the
Agricultural College, besides its character
istic department of agriculture, consists also
of the departments OF geology, natural his
tory, chemistry, physics, engineering and
| surveying and mathematics, and that the
students in this college are instructed also in
English literature, history and modern lam
guages. Are not all these absolutely neces-
sary for graduate in an Agricultural Col
leee, if agriculture Is ever to be regarded as a
liberal profession and not routine trade 2
There is but one tenable ground of criticism
on all the techni cal colleges 1t is that the
strictly practical or technical part is not suf-
ficiently prominent. None are more willing
to acknowledge this than the friends Of
the University. But how is this to be rem
edied? Surely not by emasculating the
general scientific and literary culture, for
this forms the very basis Of all scientific agri-
culture, and of all high and influential posi-
ton in society. To destroy the completeness
| of the general course, in order to increase the
time devoted to technics, would be at once to
degrade these colleges to trade schools, and to
degrade these professions below the level of
liberal professions. The only method of meet
ing this want is the addition of post graduate
courses, and additional means for carrying
| these on.
As to the small number of students in the
Agricultural College, as compared with some
others, the cause of this does not lie in the
college itself, for it is certainly conducted
with eminent ability, bat outside of the col
lege 1t is because each individual farmer
desires his own son, or his son himself desires,
to follow some other profession. There are
many reasons for this One is the sad fact
that agriculture as a calling is not appreciated
as it ought TO be. Another reason is that
agricultural knowledge has no value in the
market as expert knowledge. One must have
the capital as well as the knowledge in order
to make any use of it. 1t is not paid for by
capitalists in the same way as expert knowl-
edge in other departments. Xxx.