The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-07-24
CONVENTION.

Between fifty and sixty delegates
all the leading agricultural
colleges and experiment stations OF the
country. assembled in the agrlcuisrsl
department building, July Sth. Com
missioner Coleman was chosen chairman
and Prof. George FaiTchild secretary.
The Commissioner in his address OF
welcome said it would be corceded that
the general public professed a degree OF
disappointment in the outcome or the
agricultural colleges. predominant
idea in Congress in granting lands for
such institutions was that of interest
ing young men in farming operations,
and in the fundamental principles OF
plant culture by showing they might
realize profit in raising crops without
diminishing the fertility of the soil.
The results had not been commensurate
with public expectations. Complaint
was made that comparatively few grad
yates become farmers, and the truth OF
this must, to some extent, be admitted.
It was not surprising, especially In cases
where the maintenance of the farm was
noted as a tax on the funds Of the col
lege. that graduates should avoid a call
ing so demonstrated to be improbable.
There was nothing that would 80 at
tract and rivet the attention or the
agricultural public to the colleges as
experimental work. Ore college farm
would try experiments for hundreds OF
thousands OF farmers, who could ENJOY
the benefits without suffering the losses
in money, labor and time of making the
tests themselves. He could see the ne
eessity of great national experimental
farm, which he would have established
pear the Capital and if he might go
further he would establish upon 1t a
permanent national or worlds exposi-
tion where the products ot this and 9TH
ers might be exhibited side by side.
A letter from Miss Cleveland regard
ing silk culture in the United States,
was read by Col. Colman. Miss Cleve-
/ land stated that she found herself feel
! ing a deep Interest in that industry, not
/ only because it seems right and fitting
/ that we should produce our own silk in
! successful competition with the Old
World but because this Industry when
so established, will afford one more ave-
nue. of self support to women. The letter
was received with applause, and reso'
luton expressing sympathy with the
sentiments expressed, and inviting Miss
Cleveland to honor the convention with
her presence and to take part in the de
liberations was passed.
The first business on Friday morning
was the passing of resolution declar
ing that the relations of agriculture tC
meteurology are so intimate that the
operations of the United States sigma
service should be fully demonstrated a
every agricultural college, and request
ing the commission to try to secur'
the establishment of signal station a
every agricultural college established
under national endowment, If possible
through the war department and oh'
chief signal officer.
Action was also taken favoring tht
creation of a division, or Office, in th'
Department of Agriculture, supplied
with the necessary clerical force, which
shall be the special medium of inter
communication and exchange between
the,iustitpt1ons intended to be represent
ed by sne convention and the centre o
the general plan of cooperation. Tht
eovention then recommended to tn,
commissioner the compilation of a peri
odical bulletin of agricultural progress
to be not less than quarterly. Thi
bulletin should contain in a popula
form, ready for the use of the peopl
and the press, the latest experiences anC
results in the progress of agriculture
education, investigation and experimen
In this and all other countries. Th
colleges and experiment stations repre-.
sented are regarded as bound to max
definite plans for supplying the said of
fee with such regular reports as may b
I aa1Iad