SECRETARY'S REPORT. 51 



years, and the college must go into operation within five years 

 from July 2d, 1862. A measure of such intrinsic importance, both 

 present and prospective, must receive the favorable consideration 

 of the Legislature. It cannot afford to refuse a donation so 

 beneficent. 



Assuming, then, that an agricultural college is to be founded, in 

 accordance with the provisions of the act, the questions of locu- 

 tion, buildings, departments, &c., must be considered. And while 

 it would be premature at this time to decide upon any fixed defi- 

 nite plan, it may be well to mention some details by way of sug- 

 gestion, that may properly be considered when arrangements are 

 made to put the college into operation, with the hope that they 

 may serve as a ground work upon which others may rear a more 

 finished structure. 



Instead of connecting it with some classical institution already 

 established for another purpose, and making the agricultural sub- 

 ordinate to the literary department, it ought to be located entirely 

 independent of any other school, in some place which is central in 

 respect to geographical position, population and social advantages, 

 where enough land comprising the greatest possible variety of 

 soil susceptible of improvement by cultivation, can be obtained to 

 constitute a suitable farm. 



The /arm is indispensable. It is the most appropriate arena to 

 impart and illustrate important lessons, to interrogate nature, 

 witness all her processes and operations and gain valuable instruc- 

 tion. By means of it the principles of science can be directly 

 applied to agricultural operations, so that by 'the union of science 

 and experiment, the results produced will indicate the precise 

 practical value of these principles, and aid the student to obtain a 

 correct knowledge of the best and most profitable methods of cul- 

 tivating and managing a farm. He will institute experiments to 

 test disputed modes of culture, to ascertain the adaptation of our 

 climate and certain soils to particular crops of desirable plants, 

 the fertilizing properties of various manures, and will determine 

 other questions of vast importance, requiring accurate and method- 

 ical investigation. And an annual report is required to be made 

 of the progress of each college, recording any improvements and 

 experiments made on the farm, with their costs and results, and 

 such other matters as may be supposed to be useful, and a copy 

 sent to all the other colleges, so that each may be the recipient of 

 the knowledge attained by all the others. 



