The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-04

By the act of congress of July ?, 1862,
large grants of public land were made by
the United States to each state and terri
tory that would maintain a college for the
instruction OF youth in the principles oil
agriculture and the mechanic arts. Var
rant for this action of our national legisla-
ture is found in our constitution. which
gives to congress the power to encourage
the promotion of all useful arts and sci
ences. In 1887 an act of congress. known
az the Hatch act was passed, appropriate
ing to each state and territory the sum OF
$4,000 per annum for the maintenance of
an agricultural experiment station. Many
statea had established such stations at
their own expense previous to that time,
and in such cases the grant could be made
to either the college or the state station
as the legislature OF the state might deter
mine.
In addition to these grants. congress
passed an act appropriatinQ $4,000 to
every state and territory for the year end
ing June 30, 1890. for the maintenance and
endowment of the land grant colleges, and
also providing for an annual appropriation
OF a like amount increased yearly by 81 coo
until the annual Appropriation should
stand at S25, 600 for each state. So that
each state and territory is now the recip-
lent OF not only the original land grant
that made the establishment of a college
possible and of $4,000 annually for exper-
iment. but also of a sum that will in few
years stand at S25, 600 for the maintenance
of these schools. This, taken in its en-
tiretY, is princely provision for agricul-
ture aud the mechanic arts.
Nearly fifty states and territories have
accepted these grants and rs ablished
schools and stations. The farmers are di-
rectlv interested in this work aud now IS
the proper time to see that there is such
a use made Of these public funds Gs will
best promote our interests as farmers. In
order to make fair estimate of the char
acter of the work done in this country it
will be we'll TO note the results accom-
pllshed In those countries whore agricuit-
ursl schools and stations have been longer
maintained. and where there has been
opportunity for testing methods OF study.
In Germany there are nearly two hun
uEGu COltckSS anu bthllOASt Ltt6
first experiment station having been es-
tabished forty years ago.
The colleges ami stations have had a
direct influence upon the agriculture OF
Germany. They have brought better
methods of farming to the direct notice of
the peasants, have introduced improved
farm machinery, new crops for culture
and given a more thorough knowledge of
| the soil. As result the Weld per acre in
| that country has increased two fold. Ii
is supporting 47,000n00 of people, with
| over TWO hundred TO each square mile.
| The system in vogue is a success because
| il reaches the masses and influences
their way of thinking and acting.
In comparing our system with that of
| Germany one sees a great advantage that
| Germany has in it's oneness and COM
| pleteness Here we work along indie
pendent lines. Every col eye or station is
law unto itself. As result stations are
| duplicating others work, colleges have
various standards of requirements, and
various views as to the kind of education
| needed for young men. and worst OF all
there are no intermediate schools. In
| Germany there are five grades. A boy
who il able TO 60 through one or two
grades has some practical agricultural iu-
4 lOfuiAklbn i16 iS cthtDpCn iDi a NCi ANAA
class of work. Here we have lit In
| structOn IN riculture until a college Is
/ entered. young man is not fitted for
any special branch OF farming until he
! takes the full college course, or its substi-
| tute, the shorter course.
| 1t would seem that our interests would
/ be much better served If intermediate
| schools for practical instruction We're
| scattered throughout our country, then a
few higher schools, and all leading TO one
or two central universities that would fit
men tor teachers in the science OF agricul-
ture. We need more system, and every
station and college should be part of a
| comp whole This would require an
| advisory or governing board that would
| determine what work each school should
| do, what exp, riments each station should
| perform, and all would tend 10 prevent
| present wastes, and to provide for wants
/ now unsuppiied. 1t may be easier TO
criticise than TO cOnstruc', and this is not
written in a spirit of fault finding. In the
| lew wears that we have established the
work of education much has been done.
| but it is wise to note that there are de-
fects that cannot be remedled until q
| change in the system Is made. We need
| the uniiicatiOn OF the work. less duplica-
| ton, fewer universities and a more per-
/ feet and practical graded system.
Winter Care of Horses.
No animal deserves kinder treatment
/ than the farm horse. The winter is usu-
ally a rest time for them, and some seem
| to think that this rest atones for hard and
pushing work during the summer, but il
does not hing OF the kind. Long periods
| of absolute rest are not needed by horses,
| but are harmful, as they cause a reiaxa-
ton and softening of the muscles that
leaves them ill prepared for the pushing
work of spring. Moderate exercise is
needed during the winter to keep the sys-
TEN in tone and the muscles hardened.
IL is true that il is not possible to find
proftsb work for teams on many farms
during the winter. In such cases the
owner should bear in mind that the en-
forced rest does not excuse neglect in
care and feeding. Horses are as a rule
either overfed or underfed during the
winter and their watering and currying
are often irregular. 1t is a common prac-
tice to feed too much grain, causing the
stomach 10 be overtaXed and manliesting
itself in "a rough coat of hair. Amin ais
treated thus do not take on lat as readily
as those that are treated in a more
rational manner. Oftentimes 90 per cent
more corn is given when horses are idle
than is needed, and it does much more
harm than one TN, ks possible.
Undertaking is done on some farms by