The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-11-12
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

The great mistake in connection
with our agricultural colleges, is the
fact that in many cases a classical
course is a part of their curriculum.
IT is a fact that the law provides that
this course of instruction should not
be forbidden in the agricultural col
leges; but this seems to us to- have
been inserted to enable existing insti
buttons of learning to addthe agricul-
tural branch to their institutions
should the States so legislate. In
other words it was not mandatory,
but it was permissible. 8
An agricultural and mechanical
college should be devoted to this
specific object and no other. The
country has sufficient classical colleges
to supply advanced education, and
these State and United States institu-
tions are designed for the masses and
intended to provide them such an
education as will fit them for ucces
in agricultural and the mechanical
arts.
When connected with classical
studies, the students in agriculture
and mechanics are always at a disad-
vantage, if they fail to join in the
higher studies. We mean they are
practically in a lower circle and are
regarded in this light at the institu-
ton. Farming and mechanical labor
are at a discount, and the impression
becomes so powerful that the result
is a classical course and the farmer
and mechanic go out-not to the farm
and workshop-to fill the already
overcrowded professions.
We have become so well satisfied
that this is the result, that we are dis
posed to advocate that the moneys
supplied by the general government
shall be devoted to the support of an
institution which shall be agricultural
and mechanical, and otherwise entire
ly free from any connection with those
classical and literary courses of study
which are not necessary.
In this connection it is proper to
state that we would not even seem to
underestimate the value of those liter
airy and classical colleges which are an
honor to our country. We merely
say that 10 no sense are they intended
to take the place of the agricultural
colleges which were endowed by the
government, and the farmers should
see to it that the endowment is not
made a curse to the agricultural
community instead of a blessing.
It is in fact in danger of becoming
a curse in that by joining with pro-
~fessional studies, the latter are given
the prominence and the best element
of the farming population are seduced
from the farm and urged into other
occupations. The agricultural col
leges were intended to make intel
ligent, progressive farmers; when
joined with classic studies they take
nine tenths of the intelligent young
men who attend them away from the
farm, and put them into the profes-
sional or business pursuits in which
sooner or later they are sure to fail
and are thus rendered burden to
themselves, to their families, and to
their country.
We call this bestowing a curse in
stead of a blessing upon the farmers.
It is ~perverting 2 generous gift into
an evil of enormous magnitude. I'm
less the education can be directed
away from the professional ruts of
the old-fashioned colleges, the very
object contemplated in their estab:
lishment is defeated. That object
was to have farmers sons to come
away from the college with q perfect
knowledge theoretically and practi.
cally of farming, and a love for the
occupation strengthened, intensified,
so that it should be enthusiastically
accepted as their life-work.
What is the fact? They go to one
of these pie-bald, mongrel institutions,
where the smallest part of the studies
are devoted to agriculture; where the
very least possible practical scquaint,
ance with the actual work of farming
is afforded them; where every infu-
ence is against their ever making
farming their life-work; where oppro.
brious terms are bestowed upon farm.
ers; often by those who should know
better; where every earnest endeavo1
is turned away from the farm; where
the college farm becomes a perfect
burlesque upon the occupation, show
ing the utter impossibility of ever
making farming a successful occupa
ton. The consequence is as stated
above-nine-tenths r induced tt
forsake their homes for the ruinoui
paths which lead to a wasted, uncom
Portable, struggling existence in thu