Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-03-04
Tie State College.

President fernald and the trustees OF the
State College of Agricultural and the
Mechanic Arts. have submitted their annual
report for 1879. to the Legislature. The
President states that during the past year,
gratifying evidence has been furnished on
States as well a. in our own State. of a
more complete recognition than heretofore,
Of the value Of the farm experiments which
have been carried on a, the Maine State
College. 1t is evident that as these expe-
riments come to be more thoroughly under
stood, they are more fully and widely ap-
preciaied. By mere moderate annual
OUTLAY for experiments judiciously selected
and carefully conducted, there is no doub,
that much can be done which shall prove
of in;eres, and service to intelligent; farmers.
and Of real value to the agriculture Of the
State.
He saws it can be hardly necessary for
him TO indicate in detail the specific needs
of the college for the present year, since it
cannot have escaped the notice Of the rus-
tees that buildings and certain equip
ments excepted, the wants of one wear are
essentially the wants of another year.
1t would seem to be in the interests OF a
wise economy FOR the Legislature to pro-
vide for an annual appropriation which.
with the interes, on the National endow-
ment, shall be adequate to maintain the COL
lege in efficiency in all lis departments.
The institution could thus render to the
State much more valuable service than is
possible with any uncertainty attending
its financial condition.
President Fernald adds that in the de-
partment Of Mechanics, very satisfactory
results have been attained within the pas,
two wears in ,ise-work and in forge work.
conducted on the Russian plan. He saws
that Hon. Lewis Barker of Bangor has in
dicaied his readiness 10 give S5oIO toward
Il citizens endowment Of Slo0.0oo. The
value of such an endowment can hardl, be
over estimated. not only As a mean. Of in
creasing the efficiency Of the institution. bu,
al.o u an expression OF encouragement
and appreciation Of the effort making for
the higher education Of the industrial elias
>cs.
The report of the Trustees j. ably drawn
I Il. L. l.. -. IL. 81,
the College TO enable il 10 subscrse the
purpose for which 1t vas intended. The,
ask the Legislature for all appropriation OF
S6.i9i.30 for the general purposes u the
College for the current YEAR. In their re
port the, state that OF the 2s6 students tho
have been CONNECTED with the institution.
1879 maybe considered a. having settled down
TO the work of life and their occupations
are known. or these. 20 per cent are en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits. and all
equal number in some branch of the me
chanic ar,. More than half Of the en-
tire number are honorsL!y and usefully
filling the occupations that were the lead
ing objects Of regard in the establishment
of industrial colleges. OF the remaining
number. 80 per cent are distributed among
other active pursuits. while only II per
cent have entered professional life
We trust the present Legislature vii
give that attention to the condition and
necessitie. of the College which their i'm
portance demands. We are also glad tina,
the Legislature decided TO send the Com
mittee on Education 10 visit and inspec; the
College, in connection with the Committee
on Agriculture. for this was the proper thing
TO do, in view Of the fact that other educa-
tional branches a. well A. agriculture and
the mechanic arts, are taught in the COL
lege. We have no doubt the intelligent
members of the two committees, will find
much to commend this State institution TO
their favorable consideration. They will
find the College faculty made up of earnest,
practical men. thoroughly devoted TO the
work and eminently qualified for their res
pecti,e positions.
This institution Was established for the
benefit Of the farmers and mechanics Of the
State, and the farmers and mechanics
should see to i, that il does not langui,h
for the lack Of small YEARLY sum TO meet
necessary expenses. The YEARLY income
of the College is insufficient for this pur-
pose unless tuition is charged the students.
and free instruction was leading feature
IN the establishment Of the institution. and
the charge contemplated by the Legislature
would greatly impair its usefulness. We
hope the farmers and mechanics of the
Legislature will stand shoulder to shoulder
in the support of their College. and see tina,
the small sum asked for is not withheld.
i Maine Farmer.