244 



Mount Airy Agricultural College. 



Vol. XI. 



the Farmer, but in the main, all have proved 

 futile. In vain were Clubs and Societies 

 formed ; these could but invoke or inspire 

 others to associate, and spend as they did, a 

 little time and money in the cause ; for all 

 must now7 perceive that Education is the one 

 thing needful, without which all efforts are 

 unavailing, in furtherance of the great ob- 

 ject in view. In vain did Capitalists, charmed 

 with the Rural, and desirous of setting an 

 example, purchase Farms, and quit the 

 Cities; for they soon returned in disappoint- 

 ment, if not in disgust. Why? Because 

 they had not been fitted by education for the 

 pursuits of Agriculture. They had to de- 

 pend on Hirelings, and no money could pro- 

 cure, for it is not procurable, the intelligence 

 and skill adequate to the superintendence of 

 the Yards, Stables and Stock — the Soils and 

 Manures — the Crops and Cropping. Every 

 Planter or owner of a Farm, should there- 

 fore be able to direct and instruct in all the 

 leading interests and operations on his es- 

 tate, for it as much as he can hope, or under 

 the circumstance, expect, if his labourers 

 carry out his orders in the detail. 



To educate youth in the leading branches 

 of popular learning as taught in our Colleges, 

 with the addition of practical and theoretical 

 Agriculture and Horticulture, with their at- 

 tendant sciences, the Undersigned contemp 

 lates Founding an Agricultural College at 

 Mount Airy, his residence, eight miles from 

 the City of Philadelphia, a site favourably 

 known for its Healthiness and Beauty, and 

 as having until recently been, for many 

 years, a seat of Learning, and now, in Gar 

 dens, Grounds, and Buildings, admirably 

 suited for the purpose^ 



Stadents will be admitted at ten years old 

 and upwards. The younger Pupils in the 

 elementary branches of the Scholastic de- 

 partment will receive special and particular 

 attention. The more advanced in years and 

 learning, on entering will be classed accord- 

 ing to their qualifications, and all will be 

 carried forward as rapidly and understand- 

 ingly as practicable, to a perfect and tho- 

 rough completion. In the Agricultural de- 

 partment, a similar classification will be 

 made in view of the age and capacity of the 

 Students, and their exercises proportioned 

 accordingly. Each little Boy will have his 

 Budding and Pruning Knife, his miniature 

 Rake and Hoe, and in fine weather will 

 daily repair to the Gardens and Nurseries, 

 and there be taught the nomenclature of 

 Plants, flowers, &c., their culture, habits, 

 and properties, and the necessary manipula- 

 tions of producing: after an hour spent in 

 this healthful recreation, he will return to 

 the Class-room, and resume his studies. As 



he advances in years and strength, he will 

 be introduced to the more weighty and im- 

 portant concerns of Agriculture, in which 

 the senior Classes will be engaged. The 

 exercise or labour of all, however, will 

 amount to no more than will be deemed ne- 

 cessary for healthful recreation and change, 

 to diversify and lighten the monotonous and 

 depressing drudgery of the mere student. 

 In this way, by a varied course of study, 

 rural exercise, and popular Lectures, it is 

 intended to accomplish the important work, 

 and to give to Agriculture an impulse that 

 cannot fail to raise it to the rank it should 

 assume, and ought to hold throughout the 

 land. 



The Graduates of this College will be 

 Scholars, and Gentlemen, who, if they in- 

 herit an Estate, will know more than their 

 Gardeners, Overseers, or Land Stewards, — 

 be conversant with the Breeds, Character, 

 and properties of Stock, the mechanism and 

 use of Implements,— the quality of Soils, 

 and the adaptation of Manures, and withal, 

 practical Surveyors; while the taste acquired 

 for Rural Life, will render the management 

 of their Plantations a pleasing occupation, 

 combining both pleasure and profit. If on 

 the other hand they should have to acquire 

 an Estate, what other Graduates could hope 

 to compete with them in the acquisition of 

 Property and honourable fame? 



These views are respectfully submitted 

 by way of Prospectus, affording a glance at 

 the aims and merits of the contemplated In- 

 stitution, and for the purpose of eliciting 

 such share of patronage as will encourage 

 the undersigned to carry out his long cher- 

 ished design. If, therefore, eighty students 

 shall offer, on or before the first day of July 

 next, he will open the College on the first 

 day of September following, with a Faculty 

 combining the best talent, both in Literature 

 and Rural Economy. 



The Terms will be Two Hundred Dol- 

 lars per Annum, for Board and Tuition, pay- 

 able half-yearly in advance — no extras, ex- 

 cept for Modern Languages, for which it 

 may be necessary to make some additional 

 charge, all of which, when properly ma- 

 tured, will be stated in a special prospectus, 

 when the requisite number of Students shall 

 appear to be forthcoming. 



Parents wishing to avail themselves of 

 this plan of educating their Sons, will please 

 address JAMES GOWEN, Mount Airy, 

 Philadelphia, stating age, and acquirements 

 in learning. It is requested that early ap- 

 plication be made, as the opening of the 

 College is contingent upon the number of 

 Students offering, and as much of the mate- 

 rial necessary to its perfect organization 



