Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-07-19
Our Agricultural COLLEGE.
A PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE, AGRICUI.
TURAL SOCIETIES, ETC.

TURAL SOCIETIES., ETC.
1t is undoubtedly true that agricultural
colleges have everywhere failed to meet
fully the expectations of the farmers,
partly because they expected too much, or
expected impossibilities. and partly, per-
haps. because the colleges, it being a new
field, have made mistakes in trying to find
their work. l have great faith still that
they will win their way to the confidence
Of the farmers, and will come to be regard
ed by them, not only as useful, but as a
necessity. and that the far-seeing forecast
and wisdom of the honored Vermont sem
ator who is the father Of these institutions
will be indicated.
The scholars wanted now in agriculture
as much as in any business or profession,
and the most progressive, wide awake
farmers, the men who are watching and
adopting every practical improvement,
and keeping abreast of every advance, are
the ones 10 see and feel that want the
soonest.
The trustees of the university of Yer
mont and state agricultural college. desir-
Gus of meeting that want and complying
with every reasonable requirement as far
as in their power, voted at their annual
meeting the 2Sth ult. to appoint profess
sor of agriculture rs soon as a suitable man
can be found. who shall give his whole
time to scientific and practical agriculture
by instruction in tho institution or through
out the state.
With the right man in that chair, one
who loves the farm, and with the knowl-
edge that the schools and books can give
him combines the knowledge derived from
II close study of nature. and can, if need
be, step outside the tracks of other men
and follow where science Immature leads,
we may hope for cordial cooperation OF
the farmers both in their individual capac-
ity and through their various organizh
tions.
There is n great deal of enterprise and
great deal being done in the way Of i'm
provement by the farmers of the state,
each one. or each society on its or his
Gown hook" Could not much more be
accomplished by more concert and co.
operation? If we could see the agricul.
tural college, the legislature, the state
agricultural societies, the dairymen's rs,
sociation, and all tho county and local
societies brought into close relations, and
as they are all working for common
purpose, see them all working in har-
monious concert-a long team pulling all
together-we should soon see Vermont,
as she deserves to be, a leader in all agri-
cultural improvement.
And now, disclaiming any wish to as
sumo the least leadership in the matter, !
venture to propose that n conference OF
representative farmers be held at Mont
pelier some time during the next session
of the legislature as first step toward
more united work, the conference to con-
sist of one delegate from each society in
the state and one from the college. rhe
committees on agriculture OF the two
houses would very likely Join if invited
The delegates could be chosen by the
several societies when they meet to hold
their fairs next fall. The conference could
meet and end simply as a conference, or it
could make permanent organization and
provide for future meetings ifthey thought
that would be profitable.
hope the farmers of the state will give
this suggestion such consideration as they
may think it merits, and if they think well
of it, will take action accordingly. think
| can answer for the college and the state
society and the Champlain Valley associa-
ton, that they would be represented in
such a conference if held
CROSBY MILLER.
Pomfret, July /, 1882.