Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-08
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES
CHAPTER ON THEIR
FIRST FORMATION.
The Late Senator MOrrilIs En-
cOuraHement - State
Colleges.

Agricultural Education in the United
States forms the topic of very interest
ing chapter in the Year Book of the De-
partment Of Agriculture, by DIR. A. C. True,
director Of the office of experiment sta
tons. at the request of Secretary Wilson.
The results of DIR. Trues investigations. In
part were:
The organization of agricultural societies
began early in 1875 at Philadelphia. then the
national capital, and its membership com
prised such men as George Washington,
Benjamin Franklin and Timothy Pickering.
The movement spread rapidly south and
north along the fringe of Atlantic coast
communities. then constituting the United
States. At Charleston, s. c., In 17S5; Halo
well, Mass now Maine), In 1871; New York
city In 1891: Boston, Mass, in 1882; Wall
ingford, Conn, in 1894: Middlesex county,
Mass, in 1874; Sturbridge Mass, in lob
and perhaps in few other places. similar
societies were formed prior to the close of
the eighteenth century. This movement
continued. until in 1903 we have the germ
of national organization In the society
formed in the District of Columbia, to
which the seat of the national government
had few years before been permanently
transferred. sri
In 1904 Dr. Thornton, the first United
States commissioner of patents, proposed
that agricultural 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
thorites, and the first fair was held in
October of that year 1t was such a decided
success that two others were held in sue
ceeding years, after which, however they
We're discontinued.
A great impetus seems to have been given
to this movement by the enthusiastic la
bors of Elkanah Watson of Massachusetts,
who beginning with an exhibition of two
merino sheep on the public square at Pitts
field in 1907, soon developed the more elab-
crate and picturesque cattle shows which
for many years were the popular rural fes-
rivals, especially in New England. Much
interest also attached to the sheep shear
ings, the most famous of which was annu-
ally held for dozen years, beginning with
1903, by George Washington Parke Custis,
at "Arlington, his estate near Washing
ton, on the Virginia bank of the Potomac.
This was attended by throngs of prominent
men, and had much social we'll agri-
cultural Importance.
The interest in the movement for the pro-
motion of agriculture awakened at the ma
uonal capital Is further shown by the
ganization In 1909 of the Columbian Agri-
cultural Society, which was the foundation
OF the national organization finally formed
In 1852. From 1909 to 1872 inclusive this
society held six fairs, at which cattle,
clothing, bed linen, sewing thread, carpet
Ing rugs. dyes. etc. were exhibited.
Congress first took an active interest in
the promotion Of agriculture in 1899 when
L.,
Ellsworth. commissioner of patents, an ap-
preparation of 81 900 was made for the col
lection Of agricultural statistics, investiga-
ton for promoting agricultural and rural
economy, and the procurement of cuttings
and seeds for gratuitous distribution among
the farmers. This work was gradually de-
veloped Investigations in entomology,
chemistry and botany were provided for by
1850, and the way was thus opened for the
establishment of the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture in 1862.
1t was fortunate that at very critical
period for the movement during that year
the nationol leader who sought to crystalline
the growing demand of the people for tech
nical education into an act Of Congress, en-
downing colleges for this purpose in every
state of the Union, was a man of broad
views and large practical sense willing TO
draw his measure on comprehensive lines
and leave future experience to work out
successful results even through many trib-
ulations and great risk of fatal bungling
This man was Justin l.. Morrill, Of Vermont
who, having by his own efforts risen to
success in mercantile and agricultural pllr-
suits in the midst of a Woodworking but
Intelligent and progressive community, had
come to Congress in the prime of life with
an open mind toward every measure which
promised to widen the opportunities and in
crease the welfare of the masses and had
in it the promise of attaining practical re-
suits by business-like methods
A bill was finally passed by Congress In
1862 and approved by, the President, and
under the Morrill, act, as 1t was called the
amount Of land actually obtained by the
states which awaited themselves of the ben
efits of the law ranged from 24OO0 acres
for Alabama to 100000 acres for New York
In a few states like New York and Nichi-
gan, where the number Of acres received
was large and the sale OF land was skill
fully made, large funds were obtained and
strong institutions were established. The
total fund received from this land amounts
to over $1O,OOO.OO9, and 1,24O 900 acres still
remain to be sold. -
Without taking into account the general
educational agencies throughout the coun-
try the American system for agricultural
education, 1t exists at the close of the
nineteenth century, comprises a number of
important branches whose functions may be
more or less clearly differentiated
Under the provisions of the several laws
on the subject, sixty-four colleges are in
operation in the several states and terri
tories. OF these, about sixty institutions
maintain courses in agriculture. In four
teen states separate institutions are main
tanned for white and colored students
constitute national system of higher edu-
cation in the sciences and Industries
through the Association Of American Agri-
cultural College and Experiment Stations.
the office of experiment stations of the De-
partment of Agriculture. and the bureau of
education Of the Department of the In
terror.
Agricultural and mechanical colleges have
been organized in Alabama, Colorado, Com
necticut, Delaware. Florida, Iowa. Kansas,
Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi
Montana, New Hampshire, New Jer-
sey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North
rloh