Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-04
President.

legislature a charter for that purpose.
Among those interested in the movement
were Chas. B, Calvert and Chas Carroll Of
Carrollton.
The preamble of the charter recited that
the state of Maryland had made provision
for the education of her youths In other
and less important lines of Industrial life,
but had neglected to provide for their edu-
cation In the vocation of agriculture. The
following were appointed a committee to
carry out the provisions of the charter:
Jas T. Earle. John o. Wharton, Nicholas
B. Worthington. Chas. Il. Calvert, Walter
w. w. Bowie. Geo. H. Hughes, Ramsey
McHenry. ]. Carroll Walsh and A. B.
Davis.
Records show that the average farmer
ridiculed the idea of going to college to
learn how to farm" and it was with great
difficulty that the committee creaed a sem
iment favorable to agricultural college.
In about a year. however, =, 900 shares of
stock had been sold in the corporation at
$50 a share and the committee reported
that everything was in readiness. meet
ing of the stockholders held and the
following were elected a board of directors:
Thos. Perry Allegheny county; John 0.
Wharton, Washington county; Geo. r. Den
mis-. Frederick county; A.. B. Davis, Mont
gomery county; S. T. C. Brown, Carroll
county: Charles Carroll. Howard county;
J. c.. Bruno. Baltimore city; VIM. II. Pur-
nell, Worcester county; John Merryman,
Baltimore county; Richard McHenry, Har-
ford county: c. B. Calvert. Prince George
county; Walter Mitchell, Charles county;
J. H Sothron ST Mary's county; Z. /.
Graham, Talbot county; NJ B. Worthing-
ton. Anne Arundel county: G. NJ. Eldridge,
Cecil county; Jas. Alfred Pearce, Kent
county: Saml. Hamilton, Talbot county; j.
T. Earl Queen Anne county; w. T. Colds
borough. Dorchester county; r. C. Carter,
Caroline county. and DR.. G. NJ. Dennis.
Somerset county. Chas. B. Calvert was
elected the first president of the board.
Part of Calvert Estate.
The trustees purchased from Charles Il.
Calvert tract of land belonging to the
original Calvert estate, situate in Prince
George county, about eight miles from
Washington and thirty-two mites from Bal
timore, and erected thereon a large and
substantial building. This building is still
used for dormitories for the students.
The first faculty consisted of George G.
Shaffer professor of agriculture; H. ID.
Cough. professor of mathematics; Batista
LORNA. professor Of languages, and DR..
Benjamin Hallowell professor of philos-
ophy,
Dr.. HalloweH was president of the fac
ulty. In that day he was regarded as the
foremost educator in the United States. He
was the pioneer in the great scheme of IN
dustrial education. For many years his
school at Alexandria. Va. held first place
among the institutions of it's class. Ill
after an administration of one year.
The college existed a private enter
prise until 1866, when, on account of finar-
ciai embarrass ment, II was compelled to
appeal to the state legislature for aid. This
assistance was granted upon the condition
that the college make over to the state a
half interest in its property. This PROPOSE
ton was accepted, and In the general read
justment which followed the state became
practically the owner of the institution
ha x-p total
seventeen.
President Silvester's Administration
During the fifty years which have passed
from its founding the college has had
many presidents OF ability and intermittent
periods of prosperity. Capt. Richard w.
Sylvester was elected to the presidency in
1892 He was born in Virginia and is a
graduate of the Virginia Military Insti-
tute. After a successful career as presi-
dent of Charlotte Hail Academy he as
sumed charge of the Agricultural College.
AT the beginning of his administration
there was but one building on the college
campus. Now there are nine substantial
structures with modern appliances and
equipments.
The progress made by the college under
the management of President Sylvester is
shown by the following: Average annual
attendance for the fifteen years preceding
1892, fifty students; average annual at
tendance for the fifteen years following
1892, 100 students; value of property in 1892,
s6S. coo; value of property In 1905. S198. 60,
values of facilities for instruction 1892,
5000: value of facilities for instruction
1908, $50, eco; money appropriated by state
for buildings since 1892. sif3.S66; value or
buildings erected since 1892. 1874. 1878
The curriculum OF the college comprises
three courses. the agricultural. mechanical
and scientific. The technical training In
these different departments Is thorough and
efficient.
Good Work for Farmers.
The Agricultural College Is said to be
doing a great work for the farmers of
Maryland. Thousands Of bulletins show
ing the result OF scientific experiments
In every department of agriculture and
horticulture are sent out each year. and
experts from the college are constantly