Year: 1869

K


temporary, the Newport Express


AGRICULTURAL EDITOR EXPRESS


If country wasalilicted by famine and
a vast store Of seed was within their reach
to plant and SOW and start an abundant
crop, the inhabitants thereof would be
worthy of cen.ure and contumely if they
should refuse to prepare the ground by
narrowing, plowIng or other reception of
such seed. So consider we are guilty if
we allow the price of $4,000 acres Of
land to lie invested in an agricultural col
legc, ami make no effort to prepare the
minds of the people 10 receive the knowl-
edge applicable to their business, or pre-
pare them so to appreciate this knowledge
that they viii be induced to senl young
men there to receive that knowledge that
will be ike good seed well sown, and like
ly to yield an abun lant harvest.


1t is true that to pursue the occupation
of farmer one needs as much skill and
more varied accomplishments than in any
other profession known. Architect to
build, MERCHANT to buy and sell, chemist
10 know the necessary constituents Of fer
tile soil, manurcs, cattle, food, ETC., bo-
tanst, entomologist, geologist, pomologlst,
mechanic, physician, physiologist, ETC.,
and in most of these various arts so tho
rough knowledge is desirable that special
study of the topic, under good teacher,
with copious illustrations and practical ap-
plicatioas would be the most judicious
course.


At an Agricultural College student
would naturally expect to see specimens
of rocks, ami learn over which lay the
most fertile soil see the skeleton OF do
nestle animals, and learn the most desir-
able forms how to breed for the attain
mcnt of certain objects, and how to judge
of the diseases that affect the bones and
bodies of these animals; he would see
insects that bring disaster to the van ious
crops of the country. and learn how to
destroy them; he would see the birds that
are friends to the farmers or his enemies;
he would learn OF the thousands Of plants
that are cultivated, or are the spontaneous
growth of our farms. These, and many
things, farmer could learn and be ben
e6tted by them, but he cannot learn them
by himself. do not know "a farmer that
has learned them, but fund is invested
to aid in the diffusion of just such kLowl-
edge. Yet the halls Of the agricultural
college in this state are not crowded, and
we, an agricultural people, do not seem
concerned about it. Now hcw shall the
ground be prepared for the reception OF
the seed, or who shall bring to the minus
of the farmers foretaste of this knowl-
edge, SO that they will take more active
measures to avail themselves Of it?


This plan presents itself to me. When
our common schools were neglected a
Board of Education was organized, and
the secretary of the Board, }. S. Adams,
was allowed thirty dollars for each county
institute held by him. We all know with
what zeal and success he labcred, and
schools have been improved. favor the
same system in regard to agriculture.
Have the State appropriate a moderate
sum (perhaps $40 or $50 dollars would do
to commence with,) for holding an Agri-
cultural Institute in every county. Some
would favor putting the money in charge
of the societies, but | apprchend more
good would arise to have a certain sum
given to one man who should visit every