226 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



we must have a comprehensive course of study, and ample time 

 to pursue the allotted studies. Possibly the designated time of 

 four years, may prove, on trial, to be too extended, but we are 

 happy to learn that most, if not all who have entered the first 

 term, have enlisted for the full course. It is well to ha^'e the 

 standard high, and it will be an easy matter to reduce the time 

 to three years, if on trial, it is found expedient. We were 

 particularly gratified with the exercises in gymnastics, under 

 the direction of Prof. Goodell. These exercises tend not only 

 to develop muscle and promote health, but also induce a gentle- 

 manly bearing and a graceful motion, qualities in which farm- 

 ers are sometimes accused of being deficient. The elasticity, 

 precision and grace of manner '^ which are usually taught in our 

 fashionable seminaries by an expensive course of dancing les- 

 sons, may as well be inculcated in a thorough gymnastic course. 

 Dancing, indeed, is only one form of gymnastics, and if neces- 

 sary, can be incorporated into the course ; but so far as we 

 could judge from the lithe and manly motions of the young 

 men under Prof. Goodell's training, it will not be necessary to 

 put them through the mazes of the polka and schottish. We 

 hope to see the graduates of the Massachusetts Agricultural 

 College as distinguished for their gentlemanly habits and 

 polished manners, as are the graduates of West Point. Rustic- 

 ity should not be derived from and associated with life on the 

 farm. There is no reason why a farmer should not be a gentle- 

 man, in the highest sense of that word, — gentle, both in thought 

 and manner ; and one of the advantages which we hope will 

 accrue to the farming interest from the establishment of the 

 Agricultural College, will be an improvement of manner in our 

 rural population, so that rustic shall no longer be synonymous 

 with clownish, as Webster now has it. 



The examination of the class by Prof. Stockbridge, upon his 

 teachings of practical agriculture, both in the field and the 

 recitation room, proved that the strong common sense and keen 

 observation of the Professor, had made an impression upon 

 his pupils. The class had labored under the disadvantage of 

 having no text-book, adapted to their wants in this fundamental 

 part of their education, a deficiency which we trust some of the 

 learned professors of the college will remedy ere long. 



