2. In December, 1859, Evan Pugh was appointed president, and discharged the duties of professor of chemistry and scientific and practical agriculture. He was a man of great energy of character, and, having studied in the agricultural and mining schools of Germany, drew around him a large number of pupils. His death, in 1864, together with the disturbed condition of the country, dimin ished the number of students. In 1867 the plan was so far changed as to include, with a scientific course on agriculture, mechanical and civil engineering, metallurgy, mineralogy, and mining.

3. The institution has an experimental farm of 400 acres, on which experiments will be instituted with a view of ascertaining the best system of rotation of crops, the most suitable manures, and the best method of applying them, together with the best methods of plant culture as applied to the productions of the garden, the field, and the pleasure ground. All the students in this department are required to assist in the work, and to record the experiments in a memorandum book. They will, in connection with this, pursue the study of botany, physiology, mathematics, drawing, veterinary surgery and medicine, and the English language. Other classes will attend to mechanical and civil engineering, embracing surveying and levelling, road-making and topographical surveying, together with a full course on chemistry, metallurgy, and mining.

The expenses are $130 per annum, which will be diminished by the system of compensated labor that has been established.

RHODE ISLAND.

One hundred and twenty thousand acres were allotted to this State, and the scrip was sold for $50,000, or 413 cents per acre. It was given by the legisla ture to Brown University, for the establishment of a scientific department, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes. As the scrip was sold on time, payable in five instalments, the last of which is due in August, 1870, the university has not yet received from it a sufficient income to enable it to open a scientific department.

VERMONT.

or in civil

Vermont received 150,000 acres in scrip. The legislature, in accepting this gift, established an Agricultural College, and subsequently incorporated this new institution with the University of Vermont, at Burlington. Instruction will be provided in the scientific department of the college for students who wish to pur sue a course of three years in analytical and agricultural chemistry, engineering, or in mining and metallurgy, and also for young men who desire to obtain such instruction as can be furnished them by a course of lectures specially adapted to the wants of agriculturists, to be given in February and March Students of the three years course will study the French language, branches of mathematics which relate to the practical uses of life, botany, including forestry, field engineering, drawing, and the English language. The charge for tuition is $15 per term. Students in the laboratory incur an additional charge of $40 per annum.

WEST VIRGINIA.

the various

courses

$90,000, and appropriated by the legislature to the endowment of an Agricultu ral College at Morgantown. An academy and female seminary had previously been founded at this place, both of which, together with the funds belonging to them, were tendered by the trustees to the State as a partial foundation for the new institution. These funds, including buildings and grounds, were

The scrip allotted to this State, amounting to 150,000 acres, was sold for

estimated

at nearly $50,000. The avails of the scrip are invested in bonds of the State, bearing six per cent. interest. With this moderate endowment the trustees propose to maintain a preparatory department, a college proper, a scientific and an agricultural department. The college opened in September, 1867, with a president and six professors, and 138 students in the different departments.

WISCONSIN.

1. The national land grant allotted to Wisconsin amounted to 240,000 acres. It was located within the State, and is valued at $300,000. It was given to the State University, established at Madison, on the basis of a grant of lands by Congress for this purpose of 46,000 acres, from which 2 University Fund" of $300,000 had been realized. The present available income of the united institutions is about $13,000.

2. It was made the duty of the board of trustees to purchase an experimental farm of not less than 200 acres, in the immediate vicinity of the University, and to make such improvements as will render it available for the purpose of experiment and instruction in connexion with an agricultural course. They were able to make such a purchase, on favorable terms, of lands contiguous to those already owned by the University, and the two now form one tract of 235 acres. The farm was purchased by Dane county, for the Agricultural College, at a cost of $40,000. It has a diversified soil, and is well adapted to the purposes of the institution. The students of the college perform much of the work upon the farm, and are paid for their labor. Five acres of this farm have been granted to the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, which is now planting it with vines, trees and shrubs.

3. The course of study in agriculture is so arranged that one can devote his whole time to this subject for three years, if he elects to do so; or he may connect himself with the College of Letters or Arts, and devote as much time as he pleases to the agricultural studies. An able and earnest corps of instructors give promise of success to the institution.

The following course of study has been adopted:

First year.

Botany.-Including microscopic examination of tissues; the germination and growth of plants; the general principles of classification in the different departments of natural history; the limitation of species and the origin of varieties.

Practical agriculture.-Location of farm and division into fields; arrangement and planning of farm buildings; farm implements and general principles of tillage; princip es of drainage; and harvesting of crops.

Physical geography and climatology.-Dews, frost, fogs, clouds, rain, hail, snow and winds: local causes affecting climate, such as proximity to mountains, to forests, or to bodies of water; effect produced by removing forests, or by planting screens of timber; meteorological instruments, their methods of use and advantage to the agriculturist.

Horticulture.-Hotbeds, their construction and management; methods of propagating plants by layers, budding, grafting, &c.; varieties of small fruits, and best method of cultivating them; general management of nurseries; landscape gardening.

Second year.

Chemistry. The laws of chemical affinity and combination: its application to arts and manufactures: chemistry of germination and nutrition, of vegetable growth and of fermentation: analysis of minerals and soils; of manures and ashes of plants.

Zoology-Principles of classification and natural history of domestic animals; comparative anatomy and embryology; entomology, including classification of insects, habits of noxious species, and best means of checking their ravages, and habits of useful species.

Practical agriculture.-General principles of farm economy; animal, vegetable, and mineral manures, their mode of application; preparation of the soil for particular crops; management of grass lands; improvement of soils by drainage, sub-soiling, &c.; industrial statistics.

Third year.

Forestry. Planting and management of forest trees; soils adapted to their growth; relative value of different kinds of trees for fuel, building, and other purposes.

Agricultural chemistry.-Composition of soils; the relation of air and moisture to vegetable growth; chemistry of the various processes of the farm, as ploughing, fallowing, draining, &c.; preservation and composting of manures; chemical composition of various crops, and of the dairy.

Animal husbandry.-Breeds of domestic animals, their characteristics and adaptation to particular purposes; principles of stock-breeding; veterinary surgery and medicines.

In closing this brief review of what has been done in establishing industrial colleges, it is proper to congratulate the farmers of the country on the advantages which must flow from this princely donation of nearly 10,000,000 acres of the public lands. It has not only turned public attention to the desirableness of a Îigher education of the industrial classes, but it has also supplied, in a great part, the means for procuring it. Something will be gained in all the States by the use of this fund. It may be, in some cases, injudiciously appropriated; the instruction may be superficial, or have little practical utility; but it is an important step in advance. In all cases we may hope that something will be learned from sister institutions; that experience will correct mistakes; and, as the public mind more carefully considers the subject, additional facilities for giving instruction and for elevating the character of the colleges will be afforded, either by private benefaction or by the liberality of the State. It will be seen that some of the States have so wisely managed the funds set apart for this purpose, and have laid so broad and deep the foundations of the new institutions, that they will prove to be of inestimable value in the long future of the country. It might seem invidious to particularize them, and it is not necessary to do so. Each of our readers will form his own conclusions. It is a source of gratification that so many give prominence to practical instruction in agriculture. The grant was intended for the benefit of farmers; for those whose leisure or whose means do not allow them to pursue an extended course of study in existing schools, and who design to follow the business of farming. It does, indeed, provide the means for becoming skilful in the mechanic arts, but the masses in our country are farmers, and farming is the foundation on which our national prosperity rests. It was intended to give dignity to labor; to clevate it above mere drudgery and routine, and to render it intelligent. It wisely provided for the purchase of a farm as an appendage of the college, for the theories of the schools can never alone make practical men. It is only as these theories are tested by practice that they have value. Besides this, if young men are to be farmers, they should not for years be withdrawn from labor. They must not lose their habits of industry, nor their taste for rural life. They must not acquire the pernicious notion that labor is degrading,. and that "gentlemen" cannot engage in it. Instead of regretting, with a writer in the North American Review, that the term "ngricultural colleges" has been popularly used, it may be deemed an appropriate designation for institutions of learning, formed for the express purpose of educa ting the young for the noblest pursuit in which man is ever engaged. It is the term used in the reports on the bill, and in all the discussions on its passage, both in 1858 and 1862. If it is a reminder of labor and of tilling the soil, so much the better and more properly is it used.

It was, doubtless, intended by the framer of the bill, and expected by its advocates, that a farm for experimental purposes would be attached to the college, and that manual labor, to some extent, would be required of the students. The language used by the advocates of the bill, and especially by its framer, leads to this construction of the intent of Congress. When the bill came before the House in 1858, on the report of the Committee on Public Lands, Mr. Morrill said:

We need to test the natural capability of soils, and the power of different fertilizers; the relative value of different grasses for flesh, fat, and milk-giving purposes; the comparative

value of grain, roots, and hay for wintering stock; deep ploughing as well as drainage; the vitality as well as the deterioration of seeds, breeds of animals, and remedies for the potato disease, and for all insects destructive to cotton, wheat, and fruit crops.

And again, speaking of the different governments of Europe, he said:

They have established ministers of instruction, model farms, experimental farms, botanical gardens, colleges, and a large number of secondary schools for no other purpose, and they need no higher or nobler, than the improvement of the industrial resources, the farms and farmers of the respective countries.

In his speech in 1862, on the passage of the bill, he used this language:

The opportunity of obtaining a sound education, adapted to the wants of the individual, will be offered at reduced rates; a love of useful labor will be promoted, and thus health and usefulness must be advanced.

After speaking of our colleges and classical schools, and saying that they are chiefly occupied in supplying the learned professions, he continued:

Other institutions are wanted where the idea of labor shall be uppermost, and where the esprit du corps of those instructed will seek highest honor in no other direction.

These extracts show conclusively what was the "intent" of the framer of the bill, and of Congress in regard to a farm, and to manual labor to be performed on it by the students. And we appeal to all practical men, to all intelligent farmers, whether agriculture as a science and an art can be successfully taught in any other way than by reducing theories to practice, and testing, by experiment, the teachings of the lecture-room. If young men are to be educated for professional or mercantile pursuits let their training be adapted to the ends they have in view; but if for a farmer's life, the most healthful, most independent, and noblest mode of life, they must not be withdrawn from labor at a period when tastes and habits are forming, nor from the occupations which demand for success an ever increasing interest in them. We rejoice in witnessing the highest possible mental culture, in whatever direction it is found. Our old colleges are noble institutions which deserve well of every lover of his country. There is to be no rivalry between them and those under consideration, unless it be in striving which shall do most to elevate the character of our citizens, and to promote the enduring prosperity of our common country.

THE STATE REPORTS OF AGRICULTURE.

A concise digest of the salient points and more important and practical features of the latest issues of the several State reports, published by State boards of agriculture, or agricultural societies, is deemed a desideratum in the national report of agriculture, both for the intrinsic value of the matter collated, and for the purpose of showing the progressive agriculturists of the whole country what the several States are doing for the common cause. Such publication will also prove a stimulus to the many States which either possess no active boards or societies, or fail to compile and publish their transactions. It is the aim of this department of the government in every practical way to co-operate with town, county, and State organizations in aid of agriculture; and this plan, of uniting by a chain of mutual interest and profit the State with the national reports, is believed to be eminently useful and entirely feasible. Want of space prevents the presentation of valuable matter in detail; it can only be expected that important facts or statements shall be hinted at or given in epitome, that readers of this volume may be incited to examine the several documents mentioned, and thus a wider appreciation of valuable local matter may be secured.

Although it may be said that but little has been found in these reports (those for 1866) which was not known before, yet the verification of much that was known, or but partially established, has been in many instances of sufficient importance to demand a record in this review. It is possible, also, that subjects meriting attention have been overlooked, though the design has been to notice everything of value. Many of the discussions of topics presented by members of the State boards and societies are instructive, and will be found suggestive and valuable, and it is regretted that so little room can be given them, notwithstanding the fact that comparatively few resulted in the establishment of principles. The latter, it is true, is difficult where circumstances attending the experiments are diverse, and when possible, and the matter is of sufficient importance, to establish uniform practice in any branch of agriculture, means should be taken by the State boards to secure such result. From reading the discussions, we are more than ever satisfied that these influences are so diver sified that they cannot always be applied with safety even to a neighboring farm; that what would be good and safe practice on one farm, or in one neighborhood, or one section of country, would not be good practice on another, even in the same State. It is, therefore, very important to have the successful practice on one farm compared with the best practice on others in the same neighborhood, and not only results but the causes in detail given, which can be best effected through local societies or farmers' clubs. These results should be reported to the county societies, which, when compared and well digested, should in their turn be sent to the State Agricultural Society, to be prepared for publication in the annual volume. We have much to learn before it is fully established that we know where and how to put the right crops in the right places.

It is to be regretted that out of 20 State Agricultural Societies in correspondence with this Department but 10 have issued reports of their transactions for 1866. Of the 10 not issuing reports, the secretary of the Delaware State Society writes:

No other reports than those found in newspapers of the locality after exhibitions have been published.

The secretary of the Kentucky State Agricultural Society writes:

Our State has made no appropriation for the society since 1861; hence we have not had the means to publish a report. We have just been able to hold a fair yearly, offering only small premiums, just keeping the organization alive, hoping our legislature would be more liberal. So far we have been disappointed.

The secretary of the Maryland State Agricultural Society writes:

Our society has not as yet made any publication of reports. We have but recently organ. ized, the old association having ceased to exist at the beginning of the war. The State has appropriated $25,000, and the city of Baltimore a like amount, for the purchase of a suitable show ground; and it is the intention of the officers to prepare at once for an exhibition this fall.

The secretary of the State Agricultural Society of New Jersey writes.

In reply to your favor requesting a copy of the publications of this society since 1860, I have the honor to say that I take no very great pride in saying there are none such. During the war our society was quiescent, holding no fairs. In 1856 the society was formed into a joint stock association, and purchased grounds in the vicinity of Newark for a permanent establishment.

The secretary of the State Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania writes:

I regret to inform you that we have published no volume since 1863. Our transactions are published by order of the legislature; the appropriation has failed since 1863. We have sufficient matter to make two volumes.

The secretary of the State Agricultural Society of Wisconsin writes:

When the war broke out the legislature, with our concurrence, stopped publishing: happily, however, the last legislature passed a law providing not only for filling the gap to the present, but for the future, regular, annual publications of the society's reports. I am now preparing the material for a volume, embracing the official transactions of the society for the yours 1861-62-763-'64-'65-'66-'67.