MOUNT AIRY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 
123 
MOUNT AIRY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 
The undersigned having for a series of years devoted 
himself to the pursuit and practice of agriculture, and 
having with deep concern regarded its condition as a 
profession or calling, could not but perceive that there 
was wanting, something indispensable to give character 
and energy to an occupation acknowledged to be the 
most useful, and embracing in its extended range the 
most numerous class of the people in these United 
States. He has therefore been long convinced that the 
great desideratum to be supplied, is an education, com¬ 
mensurate with the high destinies of the landed interest 
—a training in rural economy pending the progress of 
the student in literature, so that when he shall graduate, 
he may not only have achieved the usual attainments 
acquired in mere literary institutions, but exhibit a tho¬ 
rough and well grounded knowledge of practical and 
theoretical agriculture and horticulture, and possess in 
a superior degree, the presumable addition of good 
health and habits; being thereby the better fitted to enter 
upon the general duties of life, or into any profession 
as well as that of agriculture. This presumed felicitous 
condition of the graduate needs no demonstration, for it 
must be admitted, that the training and exercises of a 
properly conducted agricultural college, will be natu¬ 
rally promotive of the priceless blessings of robust 
health, industrious habits, and a well regulated mind. 
In the eastern and middle States many laudable efforts 
of late years have been made to improve and elevate 
the position of 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 now perceive that education is the 
one thing needful, without which all efforts are unavail¬ 
ing, in furtherance of the great object 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 disappointment, if not in dis¬ 
gust. Why % Because they had not been fitted by edu¬ 
cation for the pursuits of agriculture. They had to 
depend on hirelings, and no money could procure, 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 therefore be able to 
direct and instruct in all the leading interests and opera¬ 
tions on his estate, for it is as much as he can hope, or 
under the circumstance expect, if his laborers 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 attendant sciences, the undersigned contem¬ 
plates founding an agricultural college at Mount Airy, 
his residence, eight miles from the city of Philadelphia, 
a site favorably known for its healthiness and beauty, 
and as having, until recently, been for many years*a 
seat of learning, and now, in gardens, grounds, and 
buildings, admirably suited for the purpose. 
Students will be admitted at ten years old and up¬ 
wards. The younger pupils in the elementary branches 
of the scholastic department will receive special and 
particular attention. The more advanced in years and 
learning, on entering, will be classed according to their 
qualifications, and all will be carried forward as rapidly 
and understanding^ as practicable, to a perfect and 
thorough completion. In the agricultural department, 
a similar classification will be made in View of the age 
and capacity of the students, and their exercises propor¬ 
tioned accordingly, Each little boy will have his bud¬ 
ding 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, j 
and the necessary manipulations of producing; after 
an hour spent in this healthful recreation, he will re¬ 
turn to the class-room, and resume his studies. As he 
advances in years and strength, he will be introduced 
to the more weighty and important concerns of agri¬ 
culture, in which the senior classes will be engaged. 
The exercise or labor of all, however, will amount to 
no more than will be deemed necessary for healthful 
recreation and change, to diversify and lighten the mo¬ 
notonous 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 inherit an estate will know 
more than their gardeners, overseers, or land stewards, 
—be conversant with the breeds, character, and proper¬ 
ties 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 planta¬ 
tions 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 honorable fame 1 
These views are respectfully submitted by way of 
prospectus, affording a glance at the aims and merits of 
the contemplated institution, and for the purpose of 
eliciting such share of patronage as will encourage 
the undersigned to carry out his long cherished 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 dollars per annum, 
for board and tuition, payable half-yearly in advance— 
no extras, except for modern languages, for which it 
may be necessary to make some additional charge, all 
of which, when properly matured, will be stated in a 
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 application be 
made, as the opening of the college is contingent upon 
the number of students offering, and as much of the 
materiel necessary to its perfect organization must be 
withheld until it is ascertained that sufficient patronage 
will be accorded. 
A word, as to the undersigned himself. To those who 
know him, it is needless to say, that this great under¬ 
taking is prompted by no interested motive whatever; 
for all the capital to be employed, and all the trouble 
and anxiety incurred, he expects not a dollar by way of 
profit or remuneration for his services. He therefore 
wishes to stand in the proper attitude before all, and leave 
to all the means of making a fair estimate, and coming to 
a proper determination so far as they may feel interested. 
Philadelphia, Feb, 22^, 1847. James Gowen. 
We take great pleasure in commending Mr. Go wen’s 
noble enterprise to the public, and can assure them that 
they may place every confidence in his plans. He is a 
gentleman of ample means; of a liberal and enlight¬ 
ened mind; of great perseverance; and whatever he 
promises, will be faithfully performed. His farm at 
Mount Airy is one of the best in the United States, it 
having been cultivated on the most enlightened and 
scientific principles for many years. Now is a golden 
opportunity for parents to properly educate their boys; 
for whatever be the profession of the man, a knowledge 
of the principles of agriculture will be of great service. 
