The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-14
PURDUE.
A Trip TO the Great Agricultural Uni.
versity OF Indiana.
On the way-Arrfval-The College-what
tt Contains-rhs BuildiDgs-Presi-
dent Smart-Notes, Etc.

indianapolis. Jan. 12.-Being invited by
some Of the members OF our Legislature to
accompany them TO the Purdue University,
/ consented 20 be one of the party. Alter
procuring the necessary tickets at the U aion
Depot, We boarded the morning train on the
c., /. and L. Railroad, on Saturda7 last, and
in short time the smoke only of some of
the factories Of Indianapolis could be seen in
the distance. Thi railroad runs through
one of the most fertile agricultural countries
In the West, and as the traveller listens 10
the calling by the brakeman of the names of
the different stations and towns along the
line. he hears such familiar Biblical names
as "Zionsville," Lebanon, etc. At Lebanon
] saw nothing OF the famous "Cedars of
Lebanon" described IN ancient history, bat
instead beautiful groves of fruit trees are
dotted eli over this fertile country, and here
and there evergreen trees can be seen IN the
distance, representing 70 some extent those
famous "Cedars OF Lebanon" From
Lebanon the iron horse pioughs its wsy with
Its precious load through one OF those beau
tifui and fertile little prairie OF which In
diana is renoHn all over. Uncle Same do
minions. Here and there on this prairie
one sees long, straight rows OF walnut trees,
planted there by the farmers either for
wind breaks or, whsn they have grown
large enough. to be used in fastening
wire to them for fences. They answer well
for both purposes.
1t was near 10 o'clock when we arrived ct
The depot ct Lafayette where We met Pro-
lessor Smart, of tbs university, who had
carriage in waiting to convey the party to
the university, a mile aud q half west OF
Lafayette The road leading to the univer.
sity is excellent being graded and gravsled,
and that part of it raining from the river
bridge through the bottom graded sufficient
~ high to be above high water mark. When
the party arrived at the institution.
President Smart, ever reaiy To lead
the visitor through the Institution.
took them first to the boarding house build.
ing, where they left their oVsrcOats prepare
tory to see ell that could bs seen in this
short space OF time allotted them for the
day. 1t would take too much spscs ia the
columns Of your paper TO give q minute des-
criphOn of every building and everything
that could be learned here.
This University contains Eve schools and
3 preparatory class, VIZ One School Of AgTi-
culture and Horticulture, one OF Mechanics
and Engineering, one School OF Science one
Of Industrial ART, one of Pharmacy aud a
preparatory class. The nsain college build
ing is the University Hall. The other build
ings IN Use sre the boarding house, the young
mems dOrmitory, the laboratory, the
Agricultural Hall, the Military Hall, the
Boiler and Gss-bouse and the Pierce Con.
servatory. These buildiBgs are divided in
different departments, suitable to instruct
the student in the different branches of cd
ucaton that are taught at the university
More buildings are necessary to increase the
advantages for the student aud to make the
university what il should be. The mechan-
ical department is not near large enough to
accommodate al, rs there is scarcely room
for a dozen students, when there oughb to be
room for At least fifty or more. Other i'm.
provements are necessary, and the
present Legislature ought to appropri-
ate enough, in addition to the neces-
sary yearly expenses of the Institution,
to erect such buildings In doing 50 Par
due University, with its present CORDS OF
teachers and President Smart at the head,
will, in few years, be the pride of every
Indianian, and be second 10 none in the
United States. It would be wise for the
Legislature 20 appoint a committee from
both Houses to visit the university at some
day in the near future, who, without doubt,
would see the necessity of an appropriation
for the university, for there is not now an
institution in the State that is 80 beneficial
10 the people OF Indiana, and especially to
the farmer and mechanic. Too much can
and his able corps of teachers for
TIE interest taken in this
State institution, although nothing
was appropriated by the last Legislature on
account OF the failure or the passage OF the
Apprc priation bills The members of the
Legis ature should read carefully the tenth
annual report of the university, aud also the
tenth annual register and zee for them selves
the benefits derived from this Institution to
the people OF Indiana.
After eating dinner with the students in
the spac Gus dining hall of the boarding
house (pTepsred by Mrs G Ockton, who
runs the house in a satisfactory msnner
to all for the small sum OF 81 80 per
week 20 the Suddenly and a pleasant chat
with President Smart at which the party
expressed their reguret to not be able TO
stay longer, and promising to again return
at some future day, the carriage that con-
veyed the party to the university being in
waiting. they proceeded to Agricultural III sll,
short distance across the way from the
university building, where they were shown
thirty varieties OF wheat and a large variety
Of corn raised on the experimental grounds
| for the benefit of our farmers who might
avail themselves of the opportunities in
getting the varieties OF cereals best adapted
to the soil on their lands After this visit
10 Agricultural Hall the party again re-
turned to the city Of Lafayette. From hence
| they again returned to indianapolis, happy
| in The thought that they were we'll paid for
| this visit TO Purdue University.
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