Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-06-09
FARMING SCIENCE
Together with Practical Agncul-
ture Taught in School in
New York.
STARTED AS AN EXPERIMENT FIRST
Found to- Fill a Long-Felt Want il
Spite of the State AgricuI-
turaI Colleges.

New York. June 9.-The signing Of
contracts within few days for the
purchase of the School of Practical
Agriculture of 415 acres of land near
Pouglkeepsie marks the beginning of
a movement for the permanent estab-
lishment near New York of what the
promoters call one of the most unique
educational institutions i'll the coun-
try. Less than two years ago n num-
Der of citizens prominent in political
and social life met at the residence of
Abram $. Hewitt and r. Fulton Cut
ting and formed themselves into an
organiZatiO for establishing, expert
mentally, Il school where the practice
rs well as the theory of farming could
be taught. Professor George Il. Powell,
Il recognized authority on scientific ag-
riculture, undertook the organization
of the school.
Success of the School Immediate.
a number of, ladies and gentlemen
agreed to finance the project in its eX-
perimental stage. The original COM
mittee of promotion. of which Hewitt
was chairman, included Il. Fulton
Cutting. Jacob II. Schiff. John G. Car
liSle. Mrs. Seth Low. Mrs. Josephine
Shaw Lowell. Walter w. Law and
William l.. Dodge The original school
establishment was at Brar Cliff Ma
nor, provided by the generosity of Law.
who also furnished Il building to ac-
commOdate thirty-five students and
the necessary staff. The success of the
school was immediate. and the OriGi-
majors then concluded to extend the
facilities.
Fills "A Long Felt Want.
The board of trustees was then or
ganiZed with the following officers:
Theodore l.. Van Norden. president;
Abram s. Hewitt and William +.
Dodge. vice presidents; Il. Fulton Cut
ting. treasurer. and Thatcher II. +.
Luquer.- secretary. In speaking of the
school, President Van NOrden said yes
terdaY: aside from my official con
nection with the school / have taken
Il deep interest in the progress. We
have demonstrated. l think. beyond
doubt. that there is need and OppOr-
tunity for Il practical farming school
in this country on the plan carried out
by our director. Mr.. Powell. Our need
now is money resources for the equip
ment of the foundation of the school
at POughllpepSie and when this equip
mcnt is completed we will need CON
trihutionS To Il fund for the endow-
ment of the school"
How About an Agricultural College?
Hewitt said: IF those who are
friends of practical education and of
general social betterment could real
iZe as we do the great needs and great
cr opportunities Of this school l be
lieVe that we would have little diff
Guilty in obtaining that generous finan-
cial support tnat at this time seems
necessary to insure the establishment
of this institution upon n basis COM
menSurate with the extent and import
ance Of the work it has to do" Will
liam +. Dodge said: ANY American
who has Travelled in France and has
witnessed the thrift and order of those
smaller communities where agriculture
is profitahly practiced must welcome
the application To our soil of those
methods which have made the sue
ccSSful farmer abroad"