The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-05-24
The A. and M. College.
LETTER FROM GEN. MAURY.

EDIToRs CLARION: congratulate the
State of Mississippi upon having launched
into successful operation a real Agricultural
College
Until now all of the establishments of
that designation in the Southern States
and all, but perhaps two in the Northern
States, have been agricultural in name only,
and have applied the funds received from
| the General Government to the maintenance
of very inferior grade Of colleges-the
result of attempts to combine classical and
military education with scientific agricul-
tural instruction.
Your school is an agricultural school pure
and simple no vague efforts to blend classical
and military accomplishments with agricul-
tural instruction are made here. But agri-
culture in all of its departments, with the
natural science which develop it, are the
prime objects of pursuit, and in no
school in this country are the wise iutents
of the law organizing their agricultural
schools so closely and wisely carried out as
in this school of yours
Though now only in its second year. it
is full of students to its capacity, ard four
hundred applicants were declined for want
of accommodations. The barracks now
built are full, they will quarter only 200
students, nearly all of whom are planters
sons, accustomed to labor in the fields.
Many of these youn; men earn by daily
labor OF the farm and in the gardens, nearly
enough to pay all OF their expenses, so that
the cost of each student per annum is from
thirty to one hundred and twenty dollars
only.
l can conceive of no institution of greater
value TO your State than this, aud the
appropriations to it will prove the best
investment ever made for your common
wealth. Already it is doing a good work
and has made extraordinary progress to-
wards the completion of its scheme of edu-
cation.
The extensive gardens, worked by the
young men, are in good order, and supply
abundance of fresh vegetables The stock
(cattle only as YETI are well cared for
Within few weeks all of the faculty will
be in their own residences, in the plans of
which great care has been taken to secure
the comfort aud convenience of their fami-
lies.
The farm will be a large and very hand
some plantation, and with proper culture
and manures must become very productive.
A good stock of booded cattle will be bred
upon it-and pains have been taken to
thoroughly educate the students in all that
concerns this important adjunct Of agricul-
ture. Neither LatiRnor Greek is taught in
the school
Chemistry in its relations to agri-
culture is wei ght-the laboratory is
large and well loSnshed-each student has
his own cremator where with his tests
about him he analyses every substance which
can affect the interests of agriculture
Botany, Zoology, and all that is embraced
in the general term Biology are taught
here.
With only enough of military organiza-
ton and instruction to ensure good order
and discipline.
In the course Of very few years after the
excellent plans which have been laid out
by the trustees shall have been matured,
this school will be one Of the most beauti-
tiful and interesting, as it will be the
most useful establishment in your State.
1t will be l hope model upon which all
of the other great agricultural communities
of the South will create and improve SINH
lar colleges.
You are especially fortunate in having
for your President such n man as Gen. Lee.
One who will faithfully execute the plans
and interest of the institution while he will
improve and develop them to their best
capacity.
No man now living is regarded with
greater affection and esteem by all of our
people than he, and none is more worthy
of such great trust as you have confided to
him
Very respectfully yours,
DABNEY III. MAURY,