Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-09-14
Bismarck, Sunday, September II, 1918
BuShel.Of. Wheat Proposition

The boys at the North Dakota Agricultural college
have organized a unique propaganda for the purpose
of building a boys dormitory, by inviting the farmers
OF the state each to contribute one bushel Of wheat
to defray the expenses OF the building. This action
on their part indicates considerable initiative, and the
proposition should appeal strongly to the farmers of
the state. One bushel of wheat is a small contribu-
ton, in view of the splendid results that would likely
follow.
The average farmer, while hauling wheat, fire.
quently spills a bushel or more when the hind wheel
Of his wagon encounters a rut, and he thinks nothing
Of II. Moreover, a minute or two of time at a setting
would recover a bushel of wheat, otherwise wasted.
There are about $4,000 farmers in the state, and
Il farmers would contribute on an average one bushel
each, nc. one would feel the sacrifice and the boys at
the Agricultural college would have a safe and com.
Portable place to live while attending school.
The boys certainly are entitled to a dormitory.
The farmers should have demanded it years ago.
Their children, while away attending school at the
Agricultural college, should be properly housed.
The boys feel the need of a dormitory and have
effected an organization to secure one in this way,
having faith IN the generosity and good will of the
farmers generally.
1t may be argued that the funds should be appro-
priated by the legislative assembly, which is true;
but even then the money would com out of taxes
to which farmers contribute much the larger portion.
Every farmer contributing, therefore, will be aiding a
generous cause.
The Agricultural college is distinctively an insti-
tuition operated primarily in the interests of agricul-
ture, the mechanic arts and their associated sciences.
Farmers and others desiring to give their children an
education calculated to :neet the demands of country
life and home making, find in this institution special
facilities for that purpose. The Agricultural college
can be made the finest OF its kind of any in the
northwest if each farmer will give it a little personal
attention and make the small personal sacrifice sug-
gested by the A. G. boys" Moreover, II the farmers
of the state would agree to contribute, each one
bushel of wheat annually for ten years, while they
would scarcely feel the sacrifice, it would enable the
Agricultural college authorities to build up an insti'
tuition that would be in keeping with the greatest OF
all industries, and which would have a material bear
ing upon the future prosperity Of our state. The pest
thing that can be said OF this plan is that it would
not conflict with the interests of any other educa-
tional institution.
Many of the great educational institutions of the
country have been built up and are largely sustained
by private donations. Farmers, however, have never
yet acquired the habit of making donations for per-
manent improvements having a direct bearing upon
their own great industry, but ouch great things can
be accomplished by each one contributing a tr'he-
inst the price of one bushel Of wheat annually-that
this idea should bear fruit without question. Inc
Agricultural college boys have organized a movement
entirely creditable in itself and one that should
appeal to every farmer in the state. In substance II
means that the dormitory the boys ask for will cost
a farmer one bushel of wheat. tie can donate 'he
bushel of wheat, and the boys will enjoy their dorinl-
tory, or he can withhold the bushel Of wheat and the
? bows, unlike those in other educational institutions Oh
the state, will have to board in town ana take the"
chances against temptations.