Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-07-31
Our Agricultural md Mechanic
iCnl College.

Our Agricultural md Mechnni-
icnl College.
A friend who has observed closely the
recent controversies that have arisen in
connection with the conduct Of the Lou.
isiana State University and Agricultural
and Mechanical College, has sent us The
following extract, taken from the New
Orleans Home Journal about the time
OF the consolidation OF tho two schools.
Who can say but what the writer's
prophecy has thus far been verified !!
Would it not be well, therefore, to profit
by the errors Of the past, and cndcavor
to accomplish tho two-fold purpose Of
establishing State University and
Agricultural and Mechanical College
The Board Of Supervisors will again as
scmblc here ON the Atl Of August, we
hope, with the broad purpose of proyid-
ing for the thorough education of the
youth Of Louisiana. On their disposition
ate action will rest the success or down
fall Of so nccdfnl an institution.
Here is what the Home Journal said
These so-called institutions are scat
tered all over the country, thanks to the
patriotism Of the Federal Congress,
which recognized the fact that the tillcr
Of the soil needs special course Of in
struction AZ well as - physician, the
attorney, the merchant and the clergy
man. Ample means have been provided
for thispurposc, which,proprrly applied,
cannot fail to produce most excellent
results.
A great mista Ike has been made, in too
many eases, by uniting these industrial
schools with literary and scientific in
situations already in operation. The
industrial department is made to play
''sccond fiddle" and the agricultural stu
dcnts are made to feel that they are
"clophoppcrs'-inierior in every way to
those who are preparing themselves for
the learned professions. Professors Of
almost everything but what is most re-
quircd are employed ut liberal salaries,
! who grudginSIy give u moiety of time
to subjects which it is fair to suppose,
they impcrfcctly understand. A valued
exchange, speaking upon this subject,
says:
"As our agricultural colleges are at
present conducted, with faculty OF
scientists instead Of practical men, with
u course that treats agriculture as less
important than military drill, study of
language and mathematics, the ideal
graduate, after few years course,
would ordinarily be of but little service
to himself or the community. His head
would be full Of ideas that belonged to
other people, and which he had never
learned to use; he could, parrot-lkc,
repeat the constituents OF soils, yet in
the field he couldn't distinguish between
loan, clay or sand; he could discourse
cloqncntly in borrowed language on the
rotation of crops, yet he could neither
pillow nor plant, nor cultivate; he could
repeat pages OF veterinary science, but
could not harness u horse; could give
an analysis Of butter or cheese, but
couldn't milk a COW. He is too su peril
cially educated for a farmer, and knows
too little of practical methods to get his
living at any other occupation, except
perhaps as a professor or something. He
is too highly polished for earth, but not
quite fitted for any other sphere of az
ton
We would not be understood as OBJ
jecting to or lightly approaching the
value of classical education. We know
its full worth. 1t is an absolute neccs-
sity, if certain stations Of life are to be
successfully filled. We do object most
decidedly, too, to making agricultural
science ~ study of minor Importance,
especially when the student is to be an
agriculturist by profession. We also
object to to the diversion of money, pro-
vided for the education Of our sons of
the soil, and its payment to professors"
who do not know a harrow from a hand
saw, or q whcclbarr0w from stone
boat, though they may be talented,
highly respectable and competent in
in their proper spheres.
The agricultural colleges of the conn
try should have some distinguished tea-
lures beside the name. Practical agri-
culture should be exelnplifed by compe
tent and experienced instructors. Min
ute details as well as general theory
should be as familiar to every student
as his place at the dinner table.
We regret to note that our own State
institution does not rise superior to the
prejudices Of the past and place it's agri-
cultural standard in the front rank.
The Board of Control, in our humble
opinion, committed grave error in
marrying orr yonng and vigorous Col
lege to the snperannuated carcass of the
University; an institution which can
show q past record Of ability to contract