The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-02-03
VAIL AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL
Donor Explains Reason for Gift to the
State


Lyndonville, Jan. 31.--Theodore N
Vail, donor of the Vail Agricultural
school to the state of Vermont, under
date of the 18th of the present month
wrot to Gov. Horace F. Graham con-
cerning the status of the two agricul.
tural schools in the state and today
the letter is made public. with the
announcement that copies have been
sent to each member of the Legisla-
ture and to the state newspapers. The
letter is as folows:-
Hon. Horace F. Graham.
Montpelier. VT.
"My Dear Governor:
81 can but infer from what / hear
and read that there will be an attempt
made to bring the questions of agri-
cultural schools into either or both
partisan or sectional discussion with
possibility of an introduction Of
personalities. That a question so i'm
portant in its interests to the youth
of the state should not be considered
outside of all other than its real mer-
its Is to be deplored, and while hesi-
tate to enter into any discussion,
am impelled to present for your con-
sideration. and that of the Legislature
which must settle this question, a
brief statement of the reasons which
lead up TO the present status.
Some years ago my interest was
aroused in the possibilities for the
recovery OF New England agricul-
ture, which has suffered directly. from
the development of the virgin lands
not only of our own country but Of all
the new countries of the New World.
also from the superior attractiveness
OF the industrial centers for the coun-
try youth.
''In an address made at Boston
some years ago as forcible present
ment of this as was possible for me
to make, was made. | pointed out the
effect of and the elimination OF over
production followed as it has and al
ways will be by soil exhaustion fol-
lowed by the adjustment OF consump-
tion to production: the effect of ad-
jacent markets created by the upbuild-
ing Of commerce and industry. was
discussed and analysed, and the con-
clusion could but pointSto the possibil-
tiles here at home. and that New Eng
land agriculture could probably pro-
vide for New England consumption
in all food stuffs that were possible
to be raised in New England.
And further, that the improvement
of the agriculture working and rural
living conditions. had made country
life and rural industries, as compared
with urban life, superior from every
point of view: that the New England
rural youth could find on the New
England farm opportunities that in
the near past they would have had to
go elsewhere to find.
1T was pointed out also that in ev-
cry branch OF industry, the sciences.
mechanics and technic had been great
ly advanced. That not only had rea-
sons been found for practices follow
ed by tradition, but new methods and
new practices had been discovered
and invented and pointed out by the
research and investigation of learned
and able men working in laboratories.
1T was also pointed out beyond
question that to avail OF these oppor-
tunities some knowledge OF ell that
had been done. some instruction as
to how to do and why is was neces-
sary, must be had.
THE agricultural colleges were
many and good, but they we're for a
different purpose, and while of advan-
tage to those who intended to work
the farm. we're more advanced than
absolutely necessary, took up too
much time and did not as a rule give
the pratical training in the actual
work.
"There was needed school with a
farm and course which could give the
youth training in actual operation to-
gether with instruction as to why
things should be done in certain
way and at a certain time, which
would condense into a couple of years
a pratical training and education
which would only be acquired In years
If at all on the farm and at the high
school, and 1t should be put within
the reach of all.
This was the genesis of the Lyn-
don Agricultural school. At that time
there had been no school Of its kind
in Vermont, whatever there might
have been elsewhere. There was no
discussion about an idea of establish
ing one in Vermont. 1t was started
to demonstrate and establish the idea
and the necessity. That this was
done. was demonstrated by the de.
mand for similar school In every
county. and the transformation of one
of the normal schools of the state in.
to an agricultural school, and that a
course in agriculture should be given
at the high schools.
"The teaching of the theory in the
high school should be encouraged and
introduced as well and where the
practical training can be had at home
it will be of great benefit, but with the
best of teaching and the best Of train
ing, not co-ordinated as 1t can only be
done at a special schools, the result
can never be equal to that of special
| school.
"The question before the Legisla
ture is not whether there shall be ag
| ricultural schools. but whether those