Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-02-19
Agricultural College.

AgIlcuitufal College.
We believe we have heretofore stated in
our columns that the South Caroline Univer.
sity was to be converted into an Agricultural
College, with an experimental farm. We
see from our exchanges that the board met
on the Ilth instant and decided to eleot, on
tho second Wednesday Of May, four profes.
sore, as follows: one for tho branch of analyti.
cal and agricultural chemistry and expert
mental agriculture; One Of botany, geology
aud mineralogy; ono Of mathematics, me-
ohanics aud natural philosophy, and ono of
English language and literature and bellies
lettrcs. Those professors are to receive oaoh
salary Of not less than $4,000. There will
also bs appointed one foreman Of the farm
and ono Of mechanics with salaries of $3.50
each.
In the past too littlo attention has boon
paid to these important, practical and useful
branches of knowledge and with proper
management we expect great good will flow
to tho State from this institution. We would
not in the least detract from tho value and
'"r '"tanco of tho study Of tho ancient Lam
:, Ases to train and polish tho mind and give
it thorough knowledge Of tho English lan>
gungo, but those desiring collegiate course
can got it ut our various scctariau colleges.
They will then bo better fitted for a course in
tho agricultural college, while those not ablo
to bear The expense Of both can 20 at onco to
tho agricultural college.
No one can deny but the old South CAROLS
ma College has sont out somc Of tho greatest
minds that ever adorned the bench tho bar
aud tho pulpit. Their thoughts aud works iu
their various professions will live and be rcnd
history Of our State and nation. How little,
however, did any Of them know Of scientific
| agricult urc or mechanics, tho two practical
pursuits which would yield wealth anI pros
perity to the State. How few after graduats
ing understood the nature of soils or what
peculiar ingredient was needed to give to
their farms the highest fertility. How few
could have told the ingredients Of fertilizers
and to what soils they werc adapted. They
| were great statesmen, judges, ministers, &c.,
and by their cloqncnco and reasoning gave
ectat to the State, but rs few only arc re-,
quirod in these professions, tho mnss OF gradu
ates were little informed about the great
pursuits Of tho State.
Education in any form is desirable and
beneficial, but thorough education could not
nc attained in any Of our colleges. The great
avocatons Of this and cvory State arc farm.
ing and mechanics, and VIC as people have
known little Of either. The ante-war rule
was to cut down and wear out, until We arc
now compelled to build up and improve our
soils. This cannot be dnno without somo
knowledge of the elements Of our soils, ard
tho agricultural college proposes to furnish
this knowledge. Scientific agriculture is the
great need Of our State. and in proof Of this
you will fnd him the best farmer who
not only works, but observes wcll the result
Of his work, and thus ginning practical know
lege by long experience prospcrs in farming
Now with q scientific education the farmer
could learn aud understand his soil and its
needs in few hours better than in II life
time of dark experience Mechanics were
conhncd to Il tow curpcntcrs and smiths nnd
no attention was paid to that high order Of
mechanics required to erect and manage
manufactures. Tho study of geology and
mincralogy was formal and how important il
knowledge Of them in connection with the
| mineral deposits in tho State. We rejoice
this institution is to fulfil tho great nccds Of
our State, and hope whenever able there will
be added to it q full collegiate course.