The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-07-29
THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
Its Work and Benefit to the State of
Maryland.
he Editor of The Republican.

would like to have for publication an
outline history of the Maryland Agri-
cultural College for the past wear.
Many of your constituency have
evinced an interest in its work by per
sonal visits to the college, and by cor
respondence on the many topics which
effect the material success of agricul-
turist's life
First, as usual, we have had a wear
in which much of advancement has
been made. The department of
Farmers Institutes has reached every
county in the State with gratifying
results. In each county one institute
has been held and in several two.
Much favorable comment has been
made upon the work, and in many
instances much good has been done.
With the first year over, and the gar
nered experiences resulting therefrOm
there can be little doubt that the
next year will be in advance of the
last. The need of we'll done is due
w. L. Amoss, the director of this de
partment of the college.
The department of State Entomol-
Ogy has attracted much attention I'M
der its able chief, Prof. w. g. John
son. The past year was his first year
among us, and by his energy, zeal and
ability he has gained a cOnversency
with the State and its interest along
the line of his work which emphasizes
in a marked degree his peculiar fit
ness for his position. He has the State
now well in hand so far as his knowl-
edge of its needs is concerned, and
already the farmers are beginning to
reap the result of his labor amongst
us. His services are at the command
of all needing help in warning against
the many insect depredations which
at present are sapping the result Of
the best directed efforts of our most
progressive farmers.
The department of Experiment Sta
ton work, under Director Robert H.
Miller, claims much attention, and
the farmers of the State of Maryland
are fully realizing that an Expert
ment Station in their midst is an in
strument of great good to them.
Prof. Patterson, in the line of his
Dairy Department, his tobacco eXper-
iments, from the plant bed to the
packed product, his work in plant
and animal nutrition, his demOnstra-
ton that the waste products on the
average farm in Maryland can well
account for the difference between
profit and loss. These and many
other lines of work claim the closest
attention of those who feel the pinch
of necessity for taking advantage of
every means at hand to tide over these
troublous times to the beginning Of
an era of intelligent and progressive
agriculture The dawning of this era
is upon US. Its effect is fully felt in
the West and North. The East and
South are just beginning to realize
what it means to them.
In the department of Chemistry pro
gress is evident. Much appreciation
is shown of that feature of the same
which is known as the Estate Fertil-
izer Control" Eight hundred sam
pies are now collected, analysed and
published in the form of two bulle-
tins, July and February. The farmer
who buys his plant food now without
the use of these bulletins is certainly
neglecting an aid which he should
avail himself of. These are his for
asking. The new Chemical Labora-
tory will greatly facilitate the work
devolving upon this department. Its
construction is a want long felt, and
the State is to be congratulated upon
this addition to its plant.
Provision has been at last made for
the construction of barn to suitably
accommodate the agricultural inter
ests here conferred Plans have been
drawn and an early beginning will
be made upon it's construction. 1t is
to be circular in form and will be fit
ted up with appliance for the proper
care Of stock. 1t will be two stories,
with central silos for furnishing silage
of different kinds. There can no
longer be any doubt Of the Importance
of silage in that department of farm
ing known as stock raising or feed
ing. There are many problems CON
nected with the subject which need
the closest attention of scientific men.
There is point in the growth of every
green crop when it presents to the
husbandman its maximum of value for
the results ne wants to accomplish.
The corn crop is claimed by some
as the prince of plants for this pur-
pose. To my mind this is a question
able proposition. One that will bear
much examination and close study.
We ali know that it will produce more
of weight per acre than anything we
can plant. This is not the day of