The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-13
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE
An Experiment That Is TO Be Tried
in New York State.
Scientists to Teach Men and Women
Higher Cultivation and Less Acres
Use of Fertilizers and Proper
Feeding of Animals to BE Taught.

NEW YORK, Aug PA school for in
struction in the latest and most practical
methods of agriculture is about to be es-
tablished at Briarcliff Manor, and though
all things in the beginning must be some
what in the nature CT experiment, this
scheme for the education of professional
agriculturists, having among its trustees
such men as the Hon. John G. Carlisle,
Walter w. Law, r. Fulton Cutting, the
Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, Walter L. Suy-
dam, Francis w Holbrook, the Hon Will
liam E. Dodge, Norway Williams, William
A. Keener, the Hon. Jacob ]. Miller,
Charles E. Pellew, Theodore Havemeyer,
and William ]. Schieffelin, is already well
started On the high road TO success. Added
to this the director, Mr.. George T. Powell
has received the assurances of the hearty
endorsement and sympathy of such we'll
known educators as DIR. Gilman of Johns
Hopkins and the Hon. Seth Low of CO.
lumbia University.
The idea of this school may be said to
have originated in an investigation which
was begun some five years ago into the
causes of the agricultural depression ex-
The soil having been wora out by con-
slant use and comparatively nothing done
TO Teplenish ii, the farmer must now learn
how to supply as economically as possible
this loss of fertility. The influence of the
Government agricultural experiment sta
tons has proved TO be a powerful factor
Tor good. for there is al air of prosperity
about the farms situated in their vicinity
which is sadly lacking elsewhere, while
In the neighborhood Of Middletown, Conn,
the farmers do not hesitate 10 acknowl-
edge their Indebtedness to the information
supplied TO them by Prof Atwater con-
corning the commercial value Of the proper
use OF FERTILIZER. and to its use is ascribed
the TACT That the producing value of farms
IN that section has been increased three
fold.
The Practical Side.
The higher cultivation of fewer acres is
likewise suggested, SO that the harvesting
of the largest possible crops would be at
tended by less cost than prevails under
the present system of many acres under
poor. cultivation. Were this advice put
into practice there would soon be the added
advantages TO be derived from a more
closely settled community, for thus better
schools and churches would be possible,
and the social intercourse engendered
would do much to alleviate the loneliness
of country life which is such a source of
complaint for young people. This closer
proximity should mean the establishment
of rlore clubs and forms of public enter
tainment, which would be 10 the interest
of both young and old; for from organiza-
ZION the farmer must gain much pecuniary
benefit, and the young people would de-
rive the mental stimulus that comes from
interchange OF ideas. the lack of which
they now deplore. Perhaps. when they
have learned from Mr.. Riis just how the
other half lives they may come to some
realization of the conditions which sur
round the majority Of the working people
in large cities, where the oyerstocked
labor market means low wages and poor
living Then they will know that the
amusements for which they pine are more
than Offset by the good air and pure food
which. since they have always been accus-
toned to them. they have come to regard
not as privileges enjoyed by those who live
in the country, but as prerogatiyes Of
mankind.
Graduates of the new school Will easily
find profitable employment if such is de-
sired, while If they are property owners
the knowledge they have gained viii en-
able them TO work their land TO the ut
most advantage. Himself a practical and
scientific farmer, Mr.. Powell has the best
Of rcasons-the fact that he has done So
for believing that farming may be made |
to pay fair profit. Sixty-six acres are TO
be devoted TO the use OF the school, and
already several interesting experiments
are being made in chemical feeding and in
pruning. The various kinds Of vegetables
berries, fruit and nut trees are now under
greenhouses are in course of
construction, and some fine effects in
landscape gardening are TO be completed
during the summer, so that the grounds
VIII present a most attractive appearance
when the school opens in September
The Site of the Building.
The school building. situated upon the
hillside. contains library, dining hall lee
mre and classrooms with dormitory to
forty students; everything
has been done to make it a comfortable
and sanitary home for those in residence
Views Of the beautiful hills can be OBJ
tanned from every window while across
the valley can be seen the picturesque
stone church and school belonging TO
Briarclin Manor. In the same direction
lies Briarcliff Farms. where the students
are TO be accorded the opportunity of
in operation the different depart
ments of what is the best-equipped dairy
farm in this country. Stocked as il is with
SIS head of cattle. 1000 chickens, 500 pigs,
etc, ell fed and housed in the most APP
proved sanitary fashion, yet every one
bringing TO the owner its fair share Of
profit it can be readily seen that here is
an object lesson of untold value.
The course OF study is planned TO in
clude horticulture. botany, chemistry, geo