The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-03-07
Important Meeting at the Agri-
cultural College.

The funds provided by the Hatch
bill for the establishment and sup
port of experiment stations in the diff
ferent states having become available
in Vermont, President Buckham called
a meeting of the Board of Control of
the station on Tuesday of last week,
and invited the Board of Agriculture,
the committees on agriculture of the
senate and house of representatives
and the master of the State Grange to
take part in its deliberations concern
ing the field and direction in which the
station should carry on its work for the
year and for the future. There were
present when the meeting was called to
order by the president Hon. Crosby
Miller of the Board of Control, Messrs.
Cooke, Hill, Davis, Smith, Vail and
Chaplin, the entire Board of Agriculture,
Mr.. Tinkham, chairman of the house
committee on agriculture, with Messrs.
Newton of Dummerston and Grannis
of Guildhall of the committee, and Mr..
A. Messer, master of the State Grange.
President Buckham opened the meet
ing with few remarks, stating that he
had asked for this meeting for advice,
and that, giving it, the members might
share in the responsibility. He wished
advice from those who would feel the
responsibility such advice carried with
it. Each state must look for the foster
ing of its own particular interests. The
station usually about this time of year
receives from the department at Wash
ington seeds of palms and other tropi-
cal plants which he thought would not
prove an entire success in Vermont
We must depend largely upon the dairy
and those other kindred interests which
have heretofore made our state pros
porous.
Professor Cooke, director of the Ex-
pertinent Station, was called on and
gave brief account of the conditions
of the other experiment stations in New
England, and what they had done and
would probably do under the appro-
priation. The first question to be con-
sidered is, Shall the station continue
plot experiments alone or acquire a
farm.
Mr.. Newton thought the station
should have farm of one hundred
acres or more.
Mr.. Davis thought it should have a
farm-a large one, representing Yer
mont-ample to give experiments on
all her soils, clay and loan, to carry on
experiments in stock, sheep, cattle and
horses and how to feed for flesh, but
ter and wool.
Mr.. Smith said stock-raising and the
dairy were the great interests of the
state and the others but secondary; we
should have farm to represent the
size and soils of Vermont farms.
Mr.. Hill said farm is what we must
have. We have advertised ourselves
as raising the best sheep in the world
and have had the same reputation as
regards horses. Plot experiments are
like primer-book farming. We should
give attention to horticulture and fruit
growing.
Mr.. Chaplin thought farm would be
needed, but he thought smaller one
would answer the purpose. He did
not expect farm would pay finan-
cially. He wished forestry, the preser-
walton of our naples and increased pro-
duction of sugar to be looked after.
Mr.. Messer thought it best to be not
overhasty in the matter. The fund
was large one for Vermont and il
should be used judiciously, but he did
not see how an experiment station
could be carried on without farm.
Mr.. Vail thought the whole matter
was in an embryo state, but believed il
is something which will grow and be a
grant success. He looked more for sci.
entific results than for large farm
which shall be kind of a show fol
people to visit. Wealthy men are now