The Brookhaven leader., 1889-03-21
GEN. S. D. LEES PAPERS.
AGRICULTURAL AND MEcRANI.
CAL COLLEGES.
The Theory and msnagsment OF the
College Duty OF the BOARD Of
Trustees-P.separatory and
Cole giate Course.
studies Taught
ARTICLE NO. "


inc the theory and management of the
Mississippi A. and NJ. College, aud to see
II it conforms to the spirit cf tho State
lev, which is based on the Federal law.
Among the duties assigned the Board
of Trustees we find 1.-THE establishment
and maintenance of first-class iusti-
tuition at which the youth of the State
may acquire common, school educa-
ton, and q scientific and practical
knowledge of agriculture, horticulture
and the mechanic arts, also the proper
growth and care of stock, without,
however, excluding other scientific and
classical studies, Including military
tactics"
They shall regulate the course of
study. rates Of tuition, management of
experimental farm, manner of per-
forming labor, and the kind of labor TO
be performed by students"
These quotations plainly define that
the "leading object" must be "to bene-
tit agriculture and the mechanic arts"
Should other studies be taught, they
must be secondary or after provision is
made for what is specially provided
Tor, and as aids to more readily under
stand the sciences which underlie agri-
culture and the mechanic arts. The
organization must be such as to famil-
iarize students and educate their minds
and tastes to agriculture. horticulture,
care and growth of stock. management
of farms, manner of performing labor,
etc. The college must provide for the
industrial classes a general education,
combined with such scientific and prac-
tical knowledge as will make them
familiar with, the nature of the objects
and forces with which they have to
deal This necessitates that special
stress be laid on the sciences intimate
~ connected with agriculture, such as
chemistry. botany, geology, zoology,
entomology. physiology, mechanics,
physics, etc. To comprehend these
studies requires considerable liberal
culture. The various conditions con-
tributing to an intelligent understand
ing of agriculture as q science and art,
comprehends an education almost as
broad and liberal as that needed to
master any subject. This education
must also be practical and industrial in
its training, and must strive to create a
taste for agricultural pursuits.
The Board of Trustees in the organi-
cation of the college, and Its equip
ment have had these views before
them. Through the liberality of the
Legislature frst-class institution has
been established; farm of nearly 200O
acres purchased, buildings have been
erected, such as a college building.
dormitory for 250 students, chemical
laboratory, mess hall, professors
houses, barns, stables, cow-sheds, en-
gine-house, creamery and dairy build
ings, and the equipment for managing
an experimental farm as the law pro-
vides. The college herd is made up of
400 head of cattle of thoroughbreds,
graded and common cattle. The
SuCihicaI ldOOLd lOIDs LllSCuu, anu
other departments of the college have
been supplied with an outfit for illus
tration of the sciences tauol t. All
this property is valued at So, $50 50,
and makes up the plant of the college,
or what is necessary for its proper es-
Enlistment. This is an investment
which is permanent and will last for
long time. 1t is similar to the ex-
pendture of the State, in the establish
ment of the State University. the plant
of which is valued at $500, 600.
The Board of Trustees have az
ranged for both preparatory and COL
legiate course Zone and four years. to
give the youth of the State the oppor-
tunity of acquiring, as the law reefs.
Il common school education. and
practical and scientific knowledge of
agriculture. 1t is remembered that
many farmer boys in the country have
poor school advantages; the prepare
tory course is to meet their wants, and
to be also a feeder TO the college
classes. This class (one-third attend
ance) is taught such studies rs gram
mar, composition. arithmetic, u zebra.
geography, United States histo~y, pen
manshp. defamation, etc. They are
also taught by text book and lectures
the elementary principles of the theory
OF agriculture, such as composition of
matter, of soils. of plants, of manures,
of fertilizers; about plant food in soil,
farm drainage, preparation of land for
crops, cultivation of crops, about live
stock, etc. Work and contact with Tie
experimental farm, college herds.
creamery and gardens illu>t ate what
is taught, and gives even these begin
ners good idea of improved and pro-
gressive agriculture and horticulture.
The college course is four years in
length. English. mathematics and
other studies run through four
years, and by graded advancement
build up the liberal on lart. enabling
students to comprehend IN / to master
the sciences related to agriculture. and
already enumerated in this article.
Great stress is laid on En2lisn m
mathematics. and they are thoroughly
taught and their / racl;caI Use fully