The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-06
Pnrfine Unixersitx.


LAFAYETTE, April 5.-There is quite differ
ence between a visit to Purdue University IN
midsummer and midwinter. as it were. The last
time inspected this State institution was dur
Ing the summer vacation. The thermometer
was in the nineties, and all outdoors locked
cheerful and happy. The experimental wheat
had been garnered, and the experimental corn
field was green and promised hundred bushels
TO the acre, which promise it did not fulfil and
perform, owing to failure in the August rains
But within was desolation. There seemed
Like one who treads alone
Some college halls deserted,
Whose boys were out. and girls were gone,
And all but the faithful librarian had departed.
This morning, though, by the calendar,
spriug-time has come, it is midwinter by the
thermometer. The experimental clover
is only timidly lifting it's head.
which was yesterday buried in snow,
and the experimental wheat is doing
no better. It is alive, however. and growing,
just as wheat grows where the number of bush
els to the acre is the object, seeming all uncon-
scious that tho eyes of science are watching it.
Intent on discovering some hidden force which,
properly directed, will make heavy wheat and q
great deal of it. But inside are the shops.
What care these for winter in season or out of
season2 The rooms are large and commodious,
we'll warmed and well ventilated, and well sup
piled with all modern appliances and it is but
justice to say that the two hundred and fifty
young gentlemen and ladies are doing some fine
work in wood, and iron and other raw materials.
It would be tedious to go into details. and per-
haps unproftable; but certainly any intelligent
man will be pleased to explore the
teTsive plant and note the skill of
the students in the several branches of the
W.
agricultural department is bidine the departure
OF winter, except perhaps in the propagation and
destruction, experimentaliy, of the divers in
sects that prey upon the products of the SOIL
with view of showing how they can be guarded
against in every day ME.
had the distinguished pleasure, yesterday. Of
looking many of the students in the face during
that hour of weekly infiiction, the Sunday lect-
ure. It was wonderful how many took up their
sross and voluntarily took their medicine, seeing
They are not only good looking but they look
we'll; that is, they keep their eyes open.
As If intent on seeing something, If there
Is anything to see. more attentive audience
40 leetArer need ever want and appreciative as
we'll. Perhaps it was partly attributable to
some unfounded notions that. as apt as any way
the lecturer would say something they would
not believe, and they intended to catch 1t as 1T
came
1t is nearly quarter of century now since
and Mechanical College was projected by liberal
donation from Congress. ALI the States were
treated alike, and all started out in the dark,
experimenting on the untried 1t need not seem
strange that In most cases. there were blundefs.
In every case there were local jealousies and
ambitions to encounter. It Is enough to say
that after years of discussions in the Legislature,
our experiment has worked as well as any, If
not better, but it is yet in the experimental
stage. 1t has already Topped off
Greek and Latin from the curriculum and great
" enlarged the field of its Investigations In agri
culture 1t is not now experimenting in fancy
cattle and scientific butter, but is giving more
attention to testing the value of varieties of
grains and fruits than ever And in doing
this it has wisely extended its field of observa-
ton beyond its own acres Some dozen or more
stations in different parts of the State are now
in successful operation, and they will be in
creased as the men to conduct them are found.
This promises to be most advantageous and
profitable feature of the agricultural department
in the future. At no distant day the co-opera-
ton of the State Board of Agriculture will be Sc
cured in this work, and systematic experiment
in the methods of cultivation and the varieties
Of grains and vegetables will be made in every
county and their results will constitute fund
of knowledge that will be valuable. Let US not
be impatient. The whole thing is an expert
ment, and it is moving along under the versatile
aud energetic management Of DR.. Smart to a
grand contamination. U. L. SEE.