New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-30

OF the lSIanQs S,FOO,OOO.
Dr. A c. True. director OF the Office OF ESx-
pertinent Stations. mas written for the Ag
ricultural Year Book most interesting account
of the organization of agricultural societies in
this country. The first society of this character
according to Dr. True. was founded in PhIadel-
phia. at that time the National capital, in 17S5
and it's membership comprised such men as
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and
Timothy Pickering The movement spread rap
idly south and north along the fringe OF Atlantic
coast communities then constituting the United
States.
In 1904 DIR. Thornton, the first United States
Commissioner OF Patents, proposed that ag
ricultural fairs should be held in the city OF
Washington on market days after the English
fashion. The idea was eagerly taken up by the
citizens and municipal authorities. and the first
fair held in October of that year. IL
such decided success that two others were held
in the succeeding years. after which, hOBsver.
they were discontinued. sou
DR.. True traces the growth of these societies
down TO the time when Congress took them
under it's protection. and then tells the srosy Of
their development under more favorable au-
spices In the course of his paper Dr. True pays
a tribute 20 the late Senator morrill, who
known the father of the agricultural col
leges.
1T was fortunate" says DR.. True that al the
very critical period for the movement during
that year. the National leader who sought to
crystalline the growing demand of the people for
technical education into an act Of Congress, en-
dCwing colleges for this purpose in every State
OF the Union. was a man of broad views and
large practical sense. willing TO draw his meas
ure OF comprehensive lines and leave future eN-
through many fluctuations and great risk Of
fatal bungling- This a as Justin : Morrill,,
of Vermont. who. having by his own efforts
lis en- to success in mercantile and agricultural
pursuits in the midst of a Woodworking but in
telligent and progressive community, had come
10 Congress in the prime OF life, with an open
mind toward every measure which promised 10
widen the opportunities and increase the wei
fare of the masses and had in it the promise Of
attaining practical results by businesslike
methods
Sixty-fOur colleges 1t seems. under the pro
visions Of the several laws on the subject are
in operation in the several States and Terri
tories OF these all except four maintain
courses in agriculture. In fourteen States there
arr separate institutions for the white and col
ord students. All of the institutions are
brought together to constitute National sys-
TEN of higher education in the sciences and
industries through the Association of American
Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations.
the Office of Experiment Stations at the Depart
ment of Agriculture and the Bureau Of Educa-
ton of the Department of the Interior
The following story. told at one Of the uptown
clubs the other evening. so delighted aE English
man who was present that ne copied it into his
notebook for the delectatiOn Of his friends cat
ONE" 1t is surely typical of the provincial dis
trict from whence it came. where etiquette
QUires that the father of a bride shall supply
her with at least one set Of false teeth with her
trousseau. so that her husband may be saved
tho evnerSa IN tho FfItura