344 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



by Isaac D. Farnsworth, took place in the military hall of 

 the college. Four contestants from each class appeared, and 

 were well received by their friends and fellow-students. 



On the day preceding commencement, the juniors, soph- 

 omores and freshmen were examined in botany, surveying 

 and chemistry by Professors Clark, Peabody and Goessmann, 

 while on commencement day the graduating class was exam- 

 ined in agriculture by Professor Stockbridge, in the military 

 hall, in presence of the trustees of the college, the Board of 

 Agriculture, and a large concourse of their friends and the 

 friends of the college, who had gathered to ascertain what 

 these young men knew about farming. 



Among the subjects discussed were the following : Fer- 

 tilizers, rotation of crops, ploughing-iu of crops, plant-growth, 

 construction, composition, how exhausted soils could be re- 

 stored to fertility, stock-husbandry, the comparative merits 

 of Durhams, Ayrshires, Jerseys, etc. The young men gave 

 evidence that they had studied and mastered the theoretical 

 part of agriculture, and showed that they had views on the 

 subject of stock, and convictions as decided, and could give 

 reasons for their opinions, and were quite as Avell agreed as 

 the grave and reverend seniors that were present, and became 

 so interested that they could not refrain from enlisting as 

 disputants in the absorbing topic. 



The cadets, under the command of Lieutenant Merrill, 

 U. S. A., assembled on the parade-ground, and were re- 

 viewed by His Excellency Governor Washburn, and other 

 officials. Their marching, bearing, evolutions and drill were 

 commendable, and showed them soldiers, as well as students. 



The degree of Bachelor of Science was conferred by His 

 Excellency on thirteen young gentlemen, with some well- 

 timed paternal advice tending to encourage them to press 

 onward and upward, to battle for the right, and do their duty 

 as men, since the reputation of their alma mater was com- 

 mitted to another class to foster and cherish. Four of these 

 appeared on the stage with theses well written, ^vell delivered, 

 full of thought and full of proof that they had something to 

 show for their four years' drill in this institution, yet only in 

 its infancy. 



Hon, Justin S, Morrill, L^nited States senator for Vermont, 



