網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

The next year, 1886, a professor of agriculture was appointed, the winter farmers' class continued, being attended by 30 students. The State legislature in the fall of 1886 appropriated $3,500 annually for the establishment of an experiment station.

In accordance with the provisions of the State Experiment Station law the trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College proceeded to appoint a board of control for the station. The board at once took possession of the old medical college building, which was placed at their disposal for the use of the station by the university, and proceeded to make such repairs and alterations as were needed, and to construct and equip the laboratory and other rooms required for exerimental work. The director and his assistants, as soon as the fixtures and apparatus were in readiness, began the investigations and researches specified in the organic act, specially the analysis and testing of fertilizers, natural and commercial, licensed and unlicensed, and the study of new fodders with reference to their adaptation to our soil and climate, their chemical compositions and feeding values. The results of these researches have been published and distributed from time to time in bulletins and are incorporated in the annual report of the station.

The appropriation was continued by the State for three and a half years and was withdrawn on account of the passage by Congress of the so-called Hatch Act, which gives $15,000 annually to the university for conducting the work of the experiment station. But as the money from the national appropriation could not be used for building, a limited extension of the State appropriation was granted by the legislature of 1888, amounting to $5,250. In 1888 a farm of 104 acres was purchased in South Burlington and a full line of experimental work instituted. During the winter of 1887-88 a regular course of farmers' lectures was conducted with an attendance of from 60 to 130 at each session, and also a short course in agriculture was offered, attended by 9 students. This short course has been gradually lengthened until now there is a four years' agricultural course leading to a degree, as also a two years' course, which is so arranged as to enable the student to devote his whole time to the study of the principles and processes of

1The measure which Senator Morrill has for many years patiently urged upon Congress for "the more complete endowment and support of the colleges," which owe their existence to his wisdom and energy, became a law, August 30, 1890. This act provides for paying to the colleges established under the act of 1862 $15 000 annually, increasing by yearly additions of $1,000 to $25,000 “to be applied only to instruction in agriculture, the mechanic arts, the English language, and the various branches of mathematical, physical, natural, and economic science, with special reference to their application in the industries of life, and to the facilities for such instruction," with the further limitation that "no portion of said moneys shall be applied, directly or indirectly, under any pretense whatever, to the purchase, erection, preservation, or repair of any building or buildings."

farming and to those branches of science most closely related to agriculture. The catalogues of 1891-92 embraced 26 agricultural students distributed among all of the 4 classes. The winter course of lectures was continued each winter up to 1891, inclusive. During the winter of 1891-92 its place was taken by a dairy school lasting four weeks and attended by 50 pupils. The farm in South Burlington was so far distant from the university as to render it of little value for the purpose of instruction and to make it difficult to carry on successful experimentation. In 1891 a second farm was purchased adjoining the university property and a full set of buildings erected, the farm and buildings together costing about $35,000. The university is thus at present one of the best-equipped agricultural colleges for the purpose of experiment and instruction. The faculty of the agricultural department has grown correspondingly, until at the present it comprises 16 men, 5 of whom give their entire time to the agricultural department and the rest give instruction in this and in other departments.

Applicants for admission to the agricultural course must be at least 15 years of age, must bring satisfactory testimonials of good character, and be prepared to pass a satisfactory examination in the branches of a common school education, particularly in English grammar, geography, and arithmetic.

to

Agricultural students who are residents of Vermont are not required pay tuition; no laboratory fee is charged, and no charges made for use of chemicals and apparatus. The actual cost of apparatus broken is charged to the student to insure carefulness in its handling. There is a Commons Hall on the university grounds, at which good table board is furnished to students at cost. The rate of board at present is from $2.50 to $2.75 per week. Good board, with room, may be obtained in private families at $3.50 to $4.50 a week.

The agricultural students have all the privileges of the library, reading room, museum, etc., the same as the other students. They also have the advantages of the presence of the State Agricultural Experiment Station, where the newest theories are being tested and the most approved methods used.

INSTRUCTION IN THE MECHANIC ARTS.

The act of Congress establishing the national colleges places "the mechanic arts" side by side with agriculture in its provisions for education. The term "mechanic arts" was evidently intended to be interpreted largely as equivalent to "the other industrial arts." Under this head this institution has provided for instruction in the departments known as the civil engineering and the chemical. These terms, it should be understood, include a variety of subjects besides chemistry and engineering proper, and in fact embrace a large part of the field of science as applied to the industrial arts.

[graphic][merged small]
[graphic][merged small]
« 上一頁繼續 »