The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1882-08-25
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE
STATE UNIVERSITY.
COLUMBIA, s. U. Auyr

oAnAh oNlNEholfI.
COLUMBIA, s. Y. August II.
at the meeting of ,he board of trustees
OF the State University on Wednesday
night, Prof McBryde submitted his views
with regard to the proper administration of
his important department., which met with
hearty concurrence. The plan proposed by
him for the organization of his department t
was adopted, aud he was auth ,riz IL To b..
gin operations at once. He will proceed to
the equipment of his chair for thorough
scientific aud practical work. His lecture
ROOM will be supplied with charts and all
the models aud samples of agricultural seeds
plants, implements, &c. necessary TO illus
Crate 8 course of Instruction. His labura.
tory will be furnished with microscop es
for thu use Of students aud for tn, study of
those minute organisms so fatal to plaut and
animal life. Apparatus for testing the pu-
rity aud vitality of farm seeds will be impor.
ted directly from Europe. The professor
informs nc that the adulteration of farm
seeds has been almost reduced to u science
that clover seed is manufactured from quarty
grain old turnip seed roasted aud colored
aud sold us new. Such authorizations are
far more dangerous than those found iu fer
tilizers, and call loudly for State interference
aud control. Selves, scales, acids &c, tor
the mechanical analysis of soils aud other
scientific Investigations will be purchased.
The lands belonging to the University
will be- devoted to experimental purposes
Agriculture rs scieuco can ouly be devel>
oped, and As an art perfected by experiment..
The experiments conducted on the farm
will be made as practical as possible Only
such series will be entered upon as pr,mis,
to be OF Immediate value to ths farm .rs of
the State. A well.devised and conducted ex
pertinent is valuable even when it gives neg
ative results. Il may expl,de the preten.
.sions Of a highly y.advertised seed, fertilizer
or implement. Such an experiment IS
therefore buoy that warns the farmer Of
dangers ahead.
Among theexperiments proposed are the
following series 1st. With cereals, testing
different varieties. fertilizers, modes of cu,>
tdre, &c. I'd. Similar experiments with
grasses 3d. Similar ones with cotton. 4th.
Others with new crops, such as dhnrra, new
varieties "fsorghuu,, millct, te sintc, lucern
:soja hispida, &c. 9th With new farm pro
'cesses. such AS ensiicge. y&o. 9Th. With
new varieties of vegetables. (Uuder this
head will fall the testiug Of second crop
potatoes, &c 7th. With new varieties of
small fruits. Sth Experiments in cattle
feeding. (Tests of different nutritive r.
tions. &c.)
The trustees have ordered the erection of
agreenhouse. This will be filled with choice
specimens Of foreign aud native plants of
economic or scientific Importance. Such o
house will afford opportunities for expert.
msnts ib cross breeding and hybridizlng
plants, for the production of new varieties
Of seeds, Tor the testing of seeds. &c.
The results of the experiments will be
freely published aud distributed gratui,ously
among the farmers of the State.
AS the department is developed more
land will be acquired and experimental
nurseries, vineyards and orchards planted
This will allow of the testing of w varie.
ties of fruits, &c. Ornamental grounds
will also be laid off around the greenho
An arboretum will be added in tune. The
department will cheerfully determine its
species, &C.. of any unknown plant, make
analyses of seeds, &C. and do any other
similar work for the farmers Of the State
without charge. Correspondence on agr
cultural subjects is invited.