The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-07
THE Farm.
THE SPOONER BILL.
National or State Institutes?

The so-called Spooner bill for the
establishment of series of national
farmers Institutes, under the fostering
care of the new Secretary of Agricul-
ture, is a measure thath should not be
either lightly passed over as scheme,
or too harshly criticised on the other
hand. 1t is matter that should be
thoughtfully considered by every farm
err, and his views should, in some way,
be brought to bear, pro and con, in the
next Congress. The bill at present is
crude and is more in the nature Of a
"fecler," than what its author really
intends, apprehend.
That its object is good is evident,
and the creation Of a department Of az
riculture, the agricultural colleges and
experiment stations, are in full har-
mony and line with this bill. Tie
National Institutes are an attempt to
yet further popularize this new method
Of agricultural education by bringing
instruction for the masses to their very
doors-in fact becoming travelling
college for those who cannot put them
selves as students within the four walls
of what already exist as educational
helps. 1t not only means this, but
national legislation within the past ten
years is fast recognizing and handsome
ly rewarding the fact that agricultural
progress is the true method Of building
up national greatness and prosperity;
and this bill l happen to know, is an
honest effort to further this very idea.
That the bill is too liberal in its
appropriation, do not dispute. That
it has too many officers and clerks is
apparent; that it needs half million
dollars to hold 400 institutes, is out OF
keeping with the work to be done.
While halt million is insignificant as
compared with other governmental ex-
penditures that never return red cent,
or any other color of benefit, it would
be unwise to place some $l3, 1000 at any
ones disposal for the holding of one
institute. 1t is in this that the sus-
picion comes in. Not that the superin
tendent should or always would exhaust
the half million in holding 400 insti-
tutes, but he could do so, and SO give
the farmers a large opportunity to crit.
icise. Although they suffer all sorts
of governmental extravaganza, yet,
when an appropriation is made for
them, they are the first to cry out, and
be exceedingly economical.
The experience of the superintendent
Of Wisconsin Institutes, is that a two
days institute can be run successfully
on $l25 basis, or about that, includ-
ing all expenses, near and remote, and
this with trained corps of not less
than six and eight men, and with them
one or more such men of national re-
pute as Prof Henry, A. j. Cook, Rob-
erts, Robertson, Alvord, Terry, Cham.
berlain, Morrow, Golf, Babcock, Brown,
Manly Miles, &c.-never less than one
or two of these gentlemen-the whole
making corps of workers that would
bring noIdiscredit to a national institute.
In my opinion sl5O,O0O would be am
pie for 400 national institutes. 1t does
not need an army of assistant superin-
tendents, clerks, &c. IF Mr.. Morrison
in Wisconsin-and his institutes are
not only of State and national, but
worldwide recognition for excellence
can hold so per year, all expenses
from every source included, for Sl2.-
900, and needs no help, save two assist
ants for the twenty weeks of actual
institute holding. it would appear that
a very small force could lay out the
work for this national movement until
active operations in the field eommenc-
ed, when one of the corps men could
act as conductor, and the expense be
reasonable. Country Gentleman.
An Austrian Study of our Agrlcul-