AGniCULTURAL COLLEGES. 



This Department has received various letters asking its views relative to the 

 best system of instruction for the agricultural colleges to be established under 

 the act of Congress of July 2, 1862, donating public lands to the several States 

 and Territories to provide colleges for the benefit of agriciiltural and mechanic 

 arts. As Congress had in view the establishment of at least one college in each 

 of the States and Territories, and as the experience of the United States in 

 such institutions has not been either extensive or successful, it is highly neces- 

 sary that public sentiment should be awakened, that by enlightened action 

 success may be obtained. This public sentiment cannot be acted on, in this 

 matter, more speedily than through this Department, and hence it now complies 

 with the request in these letters ; not expecting to control this public sentiment' 

 but simply to aid in its development, and to be the means of uniting its action. 



But there are other reasons why the Department must ever be deeply inter- 

 ested in the successful establishment of these colleges. Some of them are the 

 following : 



1. The Department needs much the aid it would derive from these colleges. 

 They will have experimental gardens and farms, skilful professors to properly 

 conduct experiments, to carefully note them, and to properly report them. 

 Hence, when the Department imports new seeds and plants, it can, through 

 their aid, at once determine then- adaptability to this country, and the climate, 

 soil, and cultivation proper to each. The distribution of seeds, cuttings, &c., 

 could then be made on a most economical basis, because they woxild be distri- 

 buted only where they could be advantageously grown. Seeds, when thus 

 tested, could be grown by these institutions, and thus a large sum of money now 

 sent abroad would be distributed at home. 



2. From these colleges would be received reports of the experiments made, 

 and these would be placed before the farming public through the reports of the 

 Department, and thus, with the seeds and cuttings distributed, would be com- 

 municated the mode of cultivation adapted to each. 



3. A great object with this Department must be to systematize the agriculture 

 of the United States ; and how can this be so well done, over a country so 

 extensive, and of such diversified latitudes and products, as by the aid of local 

 institutions, under the direction of high intelligence, and aided by the special 

 agencies which will be found in them ] 



4. To render most practicable and useful such systematized farming, the aid 

 of institutions having local influence will be essential, as instructors of 



