THE WISCONSIN FARMER.

J. W. HOYT,

VOL. XVI.

ence.

Our Proposed Agricultural College.

No. 1.

tural colleges, should be carefully avoided by us; especially those which relate to inadequate endowment, hasty and injudicious location, and premature opening. If we are to

It would now appear that this institution, concerning which we have had so much talk and even legislative discussion, in the time past, is soon to have a veritable legal exist-learn nothing from the experience of others, The lands donated by Congress have it will be in vain that we have waited for the been formally accepted, selected and entered results of their endeavors. according to law, and the faith and honor of the State have been pledged to this-that a college, devoted especially to the interests of agriculture and the mechanic arts, shall have been actually established on, or before, the second day of July, 1867. And, accordingly, the question is no longer, "Shall we have an agricultural college in Wisconsin?" but rather, What shall be its style of organization? how shall it be amply endowed and put in operation within the period required by the law of Congress? where shall it be located, and by whom managed?

In a State of such resources and actual present wealth, and with two hundred and forty thousand acres of land to stand upon, as a nucleus and beginning, we ought to be able, within a very short time, to secure a broad and sure foundation for an agricultural college. And this we must not fail to do.

As to location, it must have the best in the State, without so much regard to present cost. Michigan thought to be economical, and so located her college in the woods, because the lands for the experimental farm could there be had at a low price; but, as the penalty for so narrow and short-sighted a policy, the institution has barely escaped failure, and for a score of years, at least, will have to contend with serious consequent embarrassment

It is not our purpose, here and now, to discuss these several questions; merely to urge the great importance of the enterprise, and the necessity that the friends of industrial education prepare for a vigorous, self-sacri- | Wisconsin will hardly need caution on this ficing and persistent effort in its behalf.

The founding of a great institution of learntn involves immense labor, the liberal giving of material aid, the yielding up of individual preference and prejudice, and a reasonably patient waiting for results. And then, most important of all, there must be clear seeing and wise planning.

point so long as she continues to suffer from the insane policy which governed in the location of her Lunatic Asylum.

Again, we must make the Agricultural College as nearly as possible a complete and finished institution. with the beginning of a really model farm, before inviting pupils to its halls.

Several serious mistakes made by our sister In conclusion, we would urge, with double States, in their endeavors to establish agricul- emphasis, that the management of the insti

tution be spared the blighting touch of the mere politician. It is designed for the special good of the industrial classes of the people and the general advantage of all the great interests of the State. Let its conduct, then, be entrusted to the wisest and best of its friends.

Agricultural Journalism.

The press is to-day the first power of the world. The forum, the pulpit, the rostrum and even the battle field acknowledge its supremacy and subordinate themselves to it almost as readily as if its decisions were the decrees of Fate. And it is well, for the press is the voice of the intelligence of mankind, uttered for the instruction and guidance of the masses who must otherwise grope in dark

ness.

More strictly speaking, the press is not merely a voice: it is many-voiced, uttering words of stimulation and of wisdom for every pursuit and occasion in life. But with what it is doing for Industry we are solely concerned, at this time.

What has journalism done for agriculture? Almost everything. The man of science and the careful observer stand behind it, to be sure; but as teachers of the million they were powerless but for it.

culture has made such progress within the last few decades of years.

The most important occupation of man the most essentially and rapidly advanced,—this is honor enough for agricultural journalism, and when its office shall have come to be justly appreciated, it will take and maintain its legitimate rank-the peer of every other; not only in importance, but also in profit and honor. To this end every intelligent reader of an agricultural journal has a mission to fulfil, so long as there is a farmer within his reach who has not yet felt the advantages of this department of the press.

Farmers, the great interests of a more intelligent and progressive agriculture are thus in your hands as well as ours. will be recreant, and who will be faithful?

Unpardonable Leaks.

Who of you

A penny saved is a penny earned," said Poor Richard, a long time ago. It was truth then and it is truth still. And that is the reason so few farmers make their labor as profitable as they might: they dont save their pennies, and so fail of the benefit of much of their earnings. Their treasuries are like "broken cisterns that can hold no water." They toil day and night, denying to themselves and their families leisure and facilities for improvement, and making life in the A life-time ago, when agriculture was alto- country anything but that beautiful poem it gether routine and traditional, when the farm-might be, and yet voluntarily relinquish a er was at the mercy of the elements and large per cent. of all they gain by their nigforces of nature, instead of being their direct- gardly self-denial,simply through a miserable, or and master, as he ought to be and will be lazy neglect to gather up the loose ends of in the wiser future, there was not only no their business in all its departments. science at all, but men laughed at the idea of a profession of agriculture. To-day the great masses are beginning to see and acknowledge that agriculture is fast becoming a science, and the most difficult and complex of all sciences. The Scientist it was who made the discovery and the demonstration, but it is agricultural journalism that has popularized that science and laid it before the million, with authentic records of its proven applica- weather, cracking, rotting, rusting and going bility in practice. And thus it is that agri-to wrack, generally.

One will lose the full value of his own wages in the depreciation of his farm implements and machinery from want of careful housing and painting, after use. It would require but two or three hours to haul them all in and snugly pack them away under shelter, and yet from spring until autumn and from autumn until spring, his plows, harrows, cultivators, reapers and mowers, stand out in the