AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 219 



tinually topics of the most healthful, useful, and elevating 

 character. 



6. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AT C1RENCESTER. 



In England, it is now proposed to establish a seminary exclu 

 sively agricultural in its character. The preliminary steps have 

 been taken, and the foundation laid for an agricultural college. 

 A considerable sum of money has been subscribed, a farm of 

 about five hundred acres has been taken, and the accommoda 

 tions for about two hundred pupils are in a course of preparation. 

 It has been felt as a serious want that, while every other pro 

 fession law, physic, and divinity has its exclusive means and 

 institutions for education, and the army and the navy have their 

 schools, agriculture, the most important and extensive of all the 

 arts, and without which it would be difficult to say where would 

 be the sinews of war or the means of commerce, or what use 

 there would be either for law, physic, or theology, should have 

 no place for the teaching of those arts and sciences, and for the 

 making of those experiments, on which its success so mainly 

 depends. The plans are not fully matured, nor the course of 

 instruction prescribed ; but the scientific qualifications of some, 

 and the practical character of others of the gentlemen concerned 

 in its establishment, and standing as its sponsors, warrant the 

 best efforts for its success. The farm is taken at a moderate 

 rent, through the liberality of its noble proprietor ; and it is 

 hoped that, aided by the resources of the farm, the expense of a 

 pupil for boarding and tuition may not exceed twenty-five or 

 thirty pounds a year that is, one hundred and twenty-five, or 

 one hundred and fifty dollars. Twenty thousand pounds, or one 

 hundred thousand dollars, were deemed the necessary capital 

 with which to begin the establishment ; and, to the great honor 

 of England, there are few objects of determined public utility, 

 for which, from its abundant resources and public spirit, ample 

 funds may not be obtained. This is a sort of joint stock com 

 pany, in shares of twenty-five, or thirty pounds each, in which 

 the subscribers will have, as is right, the preference in recom 

 mending pupils to the foundation. 



