The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-19
SCIENTIFIC
Plenty Of Schools for Them and No
Need to Establish One In This Town.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir. The
proposition of Mr.. Beekman Undcrhill
In THE SUN of March $ to operate agri-
cultural schools within the city OF New
York for the specific purpose of training
city born, city bred mechanics and ar
tisans to be scientific farmers would
be met with no small amount of de-
rision by men who are already earning
a comfortable income by applying prac-
teal. scientific methods TO their farm
ing operations.
WHY should such schools be estab-
lished within New York city? The me
chanics and artisans" and Others Tex
cluded by Mr.. Underhill) would not pur-
sue their new occupations in the city.
They would seek land away from the
surging crowds on which to apply their
newly learned principles. Perhaps Mr..
Cnderhlll does not know that the State
of New York maintains a school for
the study OF practical agriculture at
Ithaca. In connection with Cognell Uni
versity, which liz free to all residents OF
the state. The term lasts twelve weeks
and is held during the winter. While
there are seven or eight courses open.
a maj desiring b. learn agriculture can
take the course in general agriculture.
and the following winter take = special
course in dairying, horticulture. vege-
bbA' SOU utlllib BpultiN VI any VI NI'
various courses according to the farmer
students desire. Such schools ARE not
maintained only in New York. but Con-
necticut, Massachusetts. New Jersey.
pennsylvania and many other states
In the East and West also support such.
The teaching of experience Is con-
trary TO Mr.. Cnderhill's expressed BE-.
LIEF thai II Is possible TO produce more
scientific farmers in New York city by
AF4g .IFraafF O.. FhaNY saF11 "a fAttVA
occupy lng thousands ~ acres OF farm
land throughout the country. Il has
been well said that in agriculture ex-
perienCc liz more than half the battle.
II comes within my knowledge that
men OF my acquaintance graduating
from an agricultural college. having
only some slight experience gained dur
ing their vacations, have failed 10 male
the farm pay. SO filed were they with
scientific data that they overlooked many
Of the common farm practices, while on
the other hdnd ] kno a large number
of Young men who studied in the short
course colleges. working the other
nine months as ~farmhands. who are
farmers on the high road TO success.
because they know the social con-
d.tions in the farming communities, un-
derstand the labor problem and are thor
oughly satisfied that they want to be
a ~ e. 'NtAt 'NN'A 'Aa = W
important one, since many Of the back
TO the landers" do not wish 10 humble
their pride to such an extent as be-
comes a necessity in doing many of
the things necessary on the farm.
The point raised by Mr.. Underhill
that bankers will give financial assist
ince 80 men who graduate from the pro-
posed schools Is not a statement backed
10y good business sense. Lot us assume
a parallel case a young man goes to
one Of tho large universities and studies
the manufacture OF textiles. He gradu-
ates with honors. and wishes TO open a
mill OF his own Not having sufficient
capital Of his own TO foat his project,
no applies TO a banking house in an at
tempt TO negotiate the necessary loan.
VIII the banker, upon learning that the
Young maj has had no mill experience.
ISSUE the loan? Yet Mr.. Underhlll be-
lieves that these same bankers will
finance farming projects under similar
conditions. whereas farming is a far
more hazardous business han is manu-
featuring because Of its dependence on
a~tmoSphericsl conditions.
am an experienced farmer, a student
OF a short course agricultural col
lese and familiar with the subject. ow-
ing - my own experiences In trying 10
obtain loans on which TO commence
farming operations. fully realize the
value OF farm experience not only from
the operating side. but from the social
standpoint but what is more imports NJ.
20 become thoroughly convinced hat the
farm life is the life desired and this
experience should be had before enter
Ing any college or other school OF ag-
riculture. W. W. T, Jr.
New YORK, March rs.