Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-07-15
agricultural.
Maryland Agricultural College.
COLLEGE PARK, MD July 5, 1898

Mr. EdIt0r The Increasing interest
in the work of the Agricultural College
and its various departments on the part OF
farmers of the State leads me to believe
that they would like to have at the end of
the year concise history of its progress.
For this reason, presume to address
this communication to them through the
medium of your valuable paper, with
the assurance that you are anxious to
serve them with such information as
may be valuable to them.
First. The year has been one Of steady
advancement and encouragement. As
surances Of confidence and interest have
come to us in the many questions and
visits which have materialized from the
rural communities. A sense Of appre-
citation on their part of the efforts made
in their behalf is visible on all sides,
Second. The Department of Expert
ment Station, under separate execu-
tive, Robert II. Miller, has attracted
much attention. The experiments in
improving WORKOUT lands has even
tuated in much of value to the reading
and thinking public. His resignation
on the 10th Of June was followed by
the election Of vice director, II. j Pat
terson. In his election the trustees
evinced close appreciation of the farm
ers' interest. A better man could not
have been selected. His experiments
in feeding; in the cultivation and cur
ing of tobacco in the rendering I'M
available plant food available; in his
experiments with the great dairy inter-
ests of the State, solving the problems
of feeding and economically conducting
a creamery the demonstration of the
value of our entire corn plant-all attest
the fact that his selection was wise
one.
Third. The Department Of Farmers
Institute has ended its second year with
a history Of general satisfaction to a
large body of our most progressive ag-
riculturists. During the past year two
Institutes we're held in each county,
and it is proposed to hold a roundup
Institute at College. in August, at which
time opportunity will be afforded the
farmers Of the State to pay visit to
their Agricultural College and see the
agencies there established for their ben
eft. In addition, on this occasion, it
is proposed to secure favorable rates for
a visit to the Agricultural Department
in Washington, in order that all may
become better acquainted with the work
which the National Government has in
augurated 10 consideration for the great
agricultural interest of the country.
This will be a most enjoyable and in
structive occasion, a1d we trust that
many will avail themselves of the OPP
portunity. Details will be given later
Fourth. The State Horticultural Or
ganization is a new department. Two
years ago bill was passed by the Leg
islature, appropriating $500 for this
great interest and placing the obliga-
ton upon professor of the Agricul-
tural College We accepted the re-
sponsibility secured the right man,
paid the excess of expenses over the ap-
preparation and urged thorough COM
mencement of the work so sadly needed
IN Maryland. How well this was done
is attested by those largely interested
in the horticultural interest of Mary
land. From a very slight conception
of what was needed, Prof, johnson has,
by his indefatigabe efforts, created
public sentiment for the establishment
of the department on basis commen-
surate with the interest involved To-day
we have State Horticulturist, State
Entomologist and State Pathologist--
the trinity necessary for the proper de-
velopment of our great horticultural in-
terests. These men are Professors in
the Agricultural College and are OK
officio State officers The enactment of
this new law was, in great measure,
due to the support and influence of the
interest involved.
Fifth. The Department of Chemistry
has been invaluable to the farmers of
the State in making them acquainted
with the analysis of all brands of fer
tilizers sold in the State. Through this
department most valuable information
has been disseminated. 1t is truly re-
markable that in SO short time as six
years so much information shonld have
been gained as to true valuation and
analysis Of commercial fertilizers 1t is
no longer the exception, but rather the
rule, to find our farmers, calculating the
value OF fertilizer by the guarantee.
The same may be said Of animal feeding
stuiis.
Sixth. Our Department of Mechan-
ical Engineering has been we'll patron
lied during the past year. A good work
is being done and it is appreciated that
from this department, upon completing
his course, young man can at once
step into position of trust and emolu-
ment.
Seventh The Department of Agri-
culture to day appeals to the practical
farmer In every line of the rural
economy more knowledge is needed
traditional systems, old methods, waste
full policies must be abandoned. The
educated man, resourceful, replete with
what is known and still yearniug for
more knowledge. must guide the farm
affairs, il ever the vocation has the dig
nifty that was its Of yore We are par
ticularly anxious to have our Agricul.
tural Department in close contact with
our farmers, to have them appreciate
that it is for them, their sons and daugh-
tiers. Prof w 7. L Taliaferro has
charge of this department He will
lake great pleasure in giving any in
formation that may be desired regarding
u. We have so arranged the course
that a person may have three options
First--The regular collegiate course.
Second-The shortswinter course.
Third-The home reading course.
With the abundance of cheap and readily
accessible literature bearing upon every
inc Of your work, there can be no reS.
on, save disinclination, that a large