306 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



course of education, and without intending to cast a doubt 

 upon tlic utility of such studies to develop the mind and heart, 

 exalt the aspirations and improve the taste, it is enough to say 

 that they are not absolutely necessary in agricultural colleges, 

 and that during the period (none too long) in which tho stu- 

 dents arc passing through the course as laid out, there is none 

 too much time devoted to the more special studies appertain- 

 ing to the direct object of the institution. 



As tho Act of Congress especially includes military tactics as 

 a leading branch to be taught in all colleges receiving the 

 bounty of the nation, and without expense to the State, and 

 details an accomplished officer to instruct the classes in such 

 tactics, it may appear supererogatory to say more upon the 

 subject ; but your Committee cannot refrain from alluding to 

 the interest which all the young men take in the drills, the 

 evident beneficial effect upon their bearing and health, and the 

 value of the accomplished soldiers and officers thus made for 

 the future service of the Commonwealth, in the event of another 

 call to send forth her sons for herself or the nation. Were 

 no other result accomplished by this institution, the money of 

 the Commonwealth could be no more judiciously expended, and 

 yet this instruction is but an incident to the regular course. 



The two members of your Committee who have visited the 

 college have, as before stated, given special attention to the 

 farm, both on account of the criticisms current regarding it, and 

 because to one of said Committee, at least, the farm is the major 

 part of tho premises. At our first visit last winter certain parts 

 of the barn adjuncts were in admired disorder, owing to the 

 violence of the gales in the fall and the inundation of the cel- 

 lar. For the latter reason the manure could not bo properly 

 composted, nor were the cattle above so arranged a«d bedded 

 as seemed right in the eyes of the more advanced farmers ; but 

 under the personal direction of the farm superintendent, who 

 brings to his work not only muscle, but intelligence of a high 

 order, the proper remedies were applied to these disorders, and, 

 with the exception of a restoration of the cattle-sheds in the 

 yard, to rebuild whicli there are ho funds, everything about 

 those premises is in good keeping, and the excellence of the 

 crops, taken from the fields in which this imperfectly composted 

 manure was mingled, attests a careful culture. And it must 



