506 [ASSEMBIT 



An experimental farm of not less than 200 acres, composed of 

 varied soil, on which suitable dwelling-houses should be erected, may 

 be purcha.ed in fee, by the persons selected to carry out the object. 

 The investment should be judicious. No attempt should be made to 

 imitate some of our higher schools that have private endowments 

 and legislative bounty vested in brick and mortar; a fatal mistake 

 for those who have had the guidance of our first and most celebrated 

 colleges. 



The trial farm may be under the superintendence of a scientific and 

 practical farmer, whose duty it shall be to watch over the moral and 

 physical conduct of the pupils residing within the precincts of the 

 department. 



lie should be very conversant with rural economy, and teach the 

 pupils the practical operations of farming, and keep a vigilant eye 

 on them in the refectories and dormitories, and govern this little com- 

 monwealth in like manner as a prudent man directs his household. 

 Let him keep an accurate account of the incomes and expenditures 

 of the establishment. 



A matron who is familiar with domestic economy and the various 

 operations of a dairy, and who is estimable for her general informa- 

 tion and amiable and motherly deportment, may take charge of the 

 household and dairy department. 



The time of the pupils should be divided between manual farm la- 

 bor and study. The superintendent here has a theatre on which to 

 display his precepts and examples. 



The experimental farm, if cultivated upon the best principles of 

 agriculture, and with a view to profit, will attract the attention of 

 the public. Here new and improved farming utensils will be receiv- 

 ed on trial and their merits and deserts duly appreciated. A museum 

 and general depot will here unfold its rich treasures, and valuable 

 specimens congregated from every part of the habitable globe. A 

 collection of seeds, grain and roots, both foreign and indigenous, nay 

 more, those in process of acclimation, should be stored in the grana- 

 ries and cellars; on the one hand, as the appropriate specimens of the 

 vegetable kingdom, for lectures; on the other, for sale. A workshop 

 with great propriety may be attached to the school, in which the in- 

 dustrious student may have an ample opportunity to be relaxed from 

 his intellectual toils, and develope his physical constitution to the high- 



