Milford chronicle., 1907-01-11
The College Farm.

The agitation that has been re-
Gently started with a view to secur-
ing State appropriation for farm
for the use of Delaware College and
Experiment Station has received
hearty support from the farmers OF
the State. Tho farmers themselves
are beginning to realize that it is inn
possible to receive the greatest bene-
fit from the appropriations which
the Federal Government has gener-
ously made for the benefit OF the
agricultural interests of the State
without farm under the control OF
the Agricultural Department OF the
College and Experiment Station, to
the end that experiments in fruit
growing, soil fertility, plant breed
ing for better varieties, as well as
for disease resistance varieties, dairy
ing and meat production, including
poultry culture, can be carried on
uninterrupted for a long period of
years. This would make it possible
to test new systems of farm manage
ment, which would bring out meth
DDS to help the farmer out of the old
ruts; not only making his operations
more pleasant and more profitable,
but also tending to keep his boys
and girls on the farm as well as to
attract city people to Delaware
country homes.
The Delaware College is, we under
stand, the only land college that
does not have farm where students
in agriculture can be taught by
actual practice, the principles OF
fertility, grain growing and judging,
stock feeding and judging, drainage,
irrigation, farm machinery, the use
and election of building materials
and other valuable knowledge; all
of which serve to make the young
farmer master of his calling, and
more useful citizen.
Without a farm where students
may get the practical training the
Agricultural Department Of the Col
lege can never expect to have agri-
cultural students, for the day OF
"book farming" if it ever existed,
is now gone forever. The farm itself
is becoming a factor in agricultural
education, which is ever increasing
in importance, and all class room
and textbook work is bearing more
and more directly upon the soil, its
equipment, care and management.
There has been a tendency on the
part of some to question why more
Of the Federal funds have not been
devoted to- agricultural equipment,
and for instruction in technical ag-
riculture. These questions have
been raised by those who are not
familiar with the provisions of the
Federal fund, After the passing Of
the first Morrill, Act, it was pre-sup-
posed that suitable land and equip
ment has been provided by the State
for the use eff the college and station.
In consequence, if all the second
Morrill, fund amounting to $1,000
600 per year were placed at the dis
posal Of the Agricultural Department
OF the College, it would not help
natters an Aany way, for with it
neither could land be bought not
buildings erected. The College has
buildings to meet all present needs
for teaching agriculture. The great
need is a farm with suitable build
ings, which, if they are to be had at
ali. must be provided for by the State.
When these are obtained, a part Of
the Morrill, as well as Of the Hatch
and Adams funds can be used tor
purchasing equipment and for main
tenace.
! There is no denying the fact that
ilethe Agricultural College and Expert
loment Station in other States have
nilt. led materially in developing new
diameultural industries, introducing
from crops, and encouraging new
says, says ne tier systems Of tillage. The
'i I-al,,,. have been to Increase the
bs T robbsTyon per acre Of aiming land
( they stc,p9sequence to nEease its
hNorfoP. Va e four States -DS laware,
~ ew jersey and PNpnsyl-
" IRE has, according to
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