Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-16
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Its Practical Valne Demonstrated BY Secre-
tary Wilson.
Other Features of the Commencement
Exercises of the Maryland
Agricultural College.

The commencement exercises of the
Maryland Agricultural College were con-
cluded yesterday with the comforting of
diplomas on the graduates; the awards of
special prizes and a grand ball at night.
The address to the graduating class was
delivered by the Secretary Of Agriculture,
MI. James Wilson, and was thoughtful
and instructive dissertation upon the value
OF scientific knowledge to the farmer. In
the course of his remarks Secretary Wilson
also made the important announcement
that he would request Congress to give him
authority to establish a postgraduate
course in agricultural education, under d.
rection of the division chiefs and other
scientists of the Agricultural Department.
Secretary Wilson, in opening his address,
said Maryland could we'll afford to sustain
college for enabling her sons of the soil
to increase their earning capacity. The I'M
educated man on the farm earned from $40
to $40, while the educated man easily earn
ed $50 to 500.
Proceeding, Secretary Wilson declared
that Congress should invite the graduates
of the agricultural colleges to Washington
to pursue studies in special lines, and then
announced his intention as noted above.
The graduating class salutatory was de-
livered by c. V. Allnutt and the valedictory
by D. c. Barnett. Mr.. Charles Calvert
sence Of Governor Lowndes, who was I'M
able to be present.
Degrees Conferred.
The degree of B. A was conferred upon
Claude " Allnutt, Jacksonville, Md; d. c.
Barnett, Dailsville, Md; R. E. Dennison,
Washington, D. c.; E. T. Dickerson, Dick
erson's, Md; Levin ]. Houston. Stockton,
Md; j. A. Lillibridge, Laurel, Md; George
Peterson, Wallville, Nd. and r. P. White
ley, Branchvile, Md.
The degree of 3. S. was conferred on G.
R. Burroughs, Charles county, Md; George
w. Cameron, Bay View, Md. w. c. Nesbit,
Brookeville. Md; G; H: Ridgely, sykesville,
Nd, and p. L. Robb, Port Royal, Va.
The degree of NJ. E. was conferred on ].
Fl. Mitchell. Messrs. Peterson and White
ley We're not present to receive their diplo-
mas, having left some time since to join
the 1st Regiment of Maryland Volunteers.
Award of Special Prizes.
Special prizes offered by the Alumni AS
ISOLATION of the college were awarded as
follows:
For excellence in department of mechan-
ical engineering, J. c. Blandford of the
junior class; best thesis in scientific de-
partment, George w. Cameron of the SEN
ior class; for best debate in Mercer Liter
airy Society, to Edward Barber of the soph
omore class. Prizes, gold medals.
Prof. Gwinner offered a prize for the best
examination in mechanical engineering,
which was awarded to J. II. Mitchell of the
senior class Gold pens We're also awarded
d. f. Shamberger of the junior class for
best examination in general engineering,
and e. S. Choate of the sophomore class.
President Sylvester offered a gold medal for
best years work in junior class, and it was
awarded to D. F. Shamberger. A gold
medal offered by Prof. H. Nj. Stricken for
best general athlete was awarded to NJ NJ.
Gait, and silver medal for second place
wen to Levin Erickson.
The following promotions in the cadet
battalion We're announced by Prof. r. Fl.
Alvey. acting commandment: Major, Cadet
Whitehill captains of companies A, 4 and
G respectively, Cadets Straughn, Blandford,
and McCandlish.
An exhibition battalion drill and dress
parade under the command of Major Mitch
ell took place in the afternoon.