CONCERNING- THE AGRICULTURAL 
COLLEGES. 
PARKER EARLE. 
Nature of hostile criticism: real provisions 
of the. National Endowment Aet\ a preva¬ 
lent misconception: instruction in general 
learning and applied science provided for; 
agriculture and the mechanic arts on a 
par with other studies; the. Rural charged 
with a common mistake; need of an inves¬ 
tigating commission; discussion to be based 
on actual facts; the University of Illinois; 
honorable system. 
The several agricultural colleges and uni¬ 
versities established in pursuance of the act 
of Congress in 1.862, which made liberal grants 
of public lands to the States for this purpose, 
have in recent years been the subject of much 
criticism in the agricultural and semi agricul¬ 
tural press. Some of this criticism has been 
made in a friendly spirit and with a helpful 
feeling, and much of it has bean given in a 
decidedly hostile spirit, from which all fair¬ 
ness aud regard for facts as they exist have 
been carefully eliminated. Of the strictures 
of this latter class of writers I wish to say 
little, except that they are uniformly based 
upon assumed facts, aud are, in many eases, 
inspired by personal malice, as in the case of 
certain well-known and frequent assailants, 
who are discharged employes of these col¬ 
leges, or defeated candidates for positions 
therein. 
But our friendly critics—I speak from the 
standpoint of a trustee of oue of these, colleges 
aud have considerable knowledge of the facts 
surrouuding this discussion—have apparently 
been misled by the many utterly untrue state¬ 
ments which have been promulgated by the 
parties aforsaid, and also by a partial miscon¬ 
ception of the laws of Congress and of the 
States, under which these iustitutions have 
been organized, and the legal limits fixed for 
their operation. Of this I wish now to speak 
briefly. 
It is generally assumed by all of our critics 
that the colleges and uuiversities endowed by 
the General Government, and by many of tb© 
States, were create* 1 especially to teach agri¬ 
culture and agricultural science only. This 
is a grave mistake, and possibly lies at the 
foundation of most of the criticism which has 
been lavished upon us. The Act of Congress 
donating public lands for this purpose ex¬ 
pressly says that the endowment shall support 
in each Stab* “ a t least oue college, where the 
leading object shall be, without excluding 
other scientific and classical studies , aud in¬ 
cluding military tactics, to teach such branch¬ 
es of learning as are related to agriculture 
and the mechanic arts, in such mauner as 
the legislatures of the States may respectively 
prescribe.” That is the organic law under 
which these colleges have been incorporated 
by the States. Every State that has estab¬ 
lished institutions of learning upon this en¬ 
dowment, or has given it to colleges already 
organized, has accepted a sacred trust; aud 
every board of trustees that has acted under 
this grant has been equally pledged in law to 
carry out the distinctly expressed intention, 
aud liberal, broad-minded purpose of Con¬ 
gress in passing this Act, to create great 
schools of general learning aud of applied 
science—schools of agriculture, of technology, 
aud of literary culture. It would be dillicult 
to use language more specific to express the 
idea that it was not to teach farming simply, 
or agriculture as u science aud au art alone, 
that this great iuvestment was made, but 
to teach as well all the sciences relating 
to the mechanic arts, and that other scientific 
studies and classical learning should not be 
neglected. It seems that C 'ngrass did not 
think it wise or just, where so many interests, 
and so many classes were iu need of better 
facilities for education, to endow the agricul¬ 
tural interest only with these superior advan¬ 
tages. It used the people's wealth to build up 
institutions which should help all industrial 
classes. And recognizing the fact that classi¬ 
cal aud literary culture is essential to the 
complete, education of men and women every¬ 
where, it especially stipulated that it should 
not be left out. 
Now most of the criticism of the manage¬ 
ment of these colleges, has been made because 
they have taught, something else besides funn¬ 
ing, and have uot been able to attract n suffi¬ 
cient proportion of students to study agricul¬ 
ture alune. But 1 wish to say in this connec¬ 
tion, tluif if there is any college established 
under this act or reaping the profits of this 
laud grant, that is maintaining au agricultur¬ 
al college simply, without giving equal advan¬ 
tages to the mechanic arts, aud which excludes 
classical studies, then that iustitutiou is untrue 
to the purpose of Congress, aud to its own ob¬ 
ligations as a grantee under this most liberal 
act—quite as much so as are those old colleges 
which accepted the endowment for their re¬ 
spective States and have failed to provide 
adequate agricultural and technical courses. 
The great Congressional endowment was not 
made in any narrow spirit or for the benefit 
of a particular class, but was evidently in¬ 
tended to create facilities for the higher edu¬ 
cation of all and to place the most practical 
and the most liberal means of culture within 
the reach of all the people. 
Did the Congress of 1862 make a mistake? 
It might have provided for the building of 
agricultural schools alone in each State. But 
it did not do so. It used careful language to 
state that agriculture should be one of the 
leading objects of this measure, but that 
means for promoting general learning should 
not be neglected. Our critics assume that 
agriculture alone was provided for. If they 
will study the laws uuder which we are act¬ 
ing, they will at once see what au unjust mis¬ 
take they have made. Aud when I speak of 
our critics, I mean to include you, my dear 
Rural, for you have fallen into the same error 
with all of them. In the issue for Dec. 25th, 
in au editorial on "The Hatch Bill,” you speak 
of the ‘‘various boards which control the ex¬ 
penditure of the money obtained from the 
sale of public lauds for the purpose of estab¬ 
lishing agricultural colleges.” And you ex¬ 
press the fear, in substance, that these 
college boards which have so badly adminis¬ 
tered the great trusts already committed to 
them, could not safely be given control of the 
new fund proposed for agricultural experi¬ 
mentation. 
(Tb be continued.) 
lUoman’g Work. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY LOUISE TAPLIN. 
OP INTEREST TO WOMEN. 
Christine Terhune Herrick says in the 
Ladies’ Home Journal that by beautifying the 
everyday table, the housekeeper refines aud 
educates her children. The boys and girls 
who have been accustomed to seeing the best 
kept for company aud the common and un¬ 
clean made to serve for family use are not 
only awkward and ill at ease among elegant 
surroundings, but lose respect for the guard¬ 
ianship that does uot hold consistency as au 
essential in domestic matters. 
Frances Power Cobbe says that little girls 
may fitly play with toys and dress dolls aud 
chatter iu the norsery for hours over some 
weighty concern of the baby house; but it is 
a pitiful sight to see grown women making all 
life a child’s play. Rise, I pray you, to the 
true dignity of a human being, to whom petty 
feelings and small vanities, aud servile, 
wheedling tricks, must be repuguaut aud 
abominable. 
A useful gift is a blotting book, which may 
be made iu a variety of styles, according to 
the ingenuity of its maker. A very pretty 
one described in the Dorcas Magazine has the 
recipient’s siguature first sketched aud then 
worked iu crewel stitch across it, uot straight, 
but in slightly sluntiug direction. The signa¬ 
ture must be enlarged until it is effective 
enough to ornament the cover. Underneath 
it put a flourish such as a peu would make. 
Thu blotter cover may be of velvet, plush or 
coarse liuen cloth,the lining should be of silk or 
satin. Other blotter covers are made in book 
form of Coarse browu paper. The facsimile 
of a quill pen, post-office stamp, dated at 
Blottville, with the legend “Absorbed 
Thoughts,” painted in a light sketchy manner 
on the cover. Leaves of blotting paper are 
tied iu with bows of narrow ribbon. 
, Mr. Blaikie, the author of “ How to get 
Strong” highly recommends the use of dumb¬ 
bells to all women, especially when other ex¬ 
ercise seems impossible. Of course they must 
be light, those weighing two pounds he ad- 
rises. Ten minutes use each day, if persist¬ 
ed iu, will do wonders in developing the chest, 
back, aud anus, and is of incalculable use to 
growing girls, who have a tendency to bo hol¬ 
low-chested. Another thing Mr. Blaikie in¬ 
sists on is the face that a slow, listless, dowd- 
liug walk is of no earthly use, as far as exer¬ 
cise is concerned. One must, walk briskly to 
derive any benefit from it. and this is a fact 
women often lose sight of. 
We have all heard of nervousness, dyspepsia 
aud palpitations of the heart being attributed 
(Continued on page 110 .) 
ill ic.ccU»ncouss ^ (lvcvti.sintj 
For $35.00 
Wodeliver on trial, 
Fully warranted, 
nil inrtiil parts for 
1’. S. Standard 
S>TonWagon Scale*. 
8 l.» cover* cost of 
timbers end work. 
Larger si*o» in pro¬ 
portion. 
Ilhotra/rtl btw/c FKFK 
OSCOOD & CO. 
BlMilUXTON. K. V. 
Catarrh Cured 
Catarrh fa a very prevalent disease, with dis¬ 
tressing and offensive symptoms. Hood's Sar¬ 
saparilla gives ready relief and speedy enre, as It 
purifies the blood and tones up the whole system. 
" I suffered with catarrh 15 years. 1 took Hood’s 
Sarsaparilla and now I am not troubled any 
with catarrh, and *my general health is much 
better.” I. W. Lillis, Chicago, HL 
“I suffered with catarrh six or eight years; 
tried many wonderful cure,, inhalers, etc., spend¬ 
ing nearly one hundred dollars without benefit. 
I tried Hood's Sarsaparilla and was greatly im¬ 
proved.” M. A. Abbky, Worcester, Maas. 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Sold by all druggists. $ 1 ; six for $5. Made 
only by C. I. HOOD & CO., Lowell, Mass. 
IOO Doses One Dollar 
37th ANNUAL STATEMENT 
OF THE 
Life Insurance Co., 
OF HARTFORD, CONN. 
January 1, 1887. 
Premium Receipts in 1886.83,030,946.26 
Interest Receipts In 1886 . 1.617,992.24 
Total Receipts during the year. 4,648,938.30 
Disbursements to Policy-holders, 
and for expenses, taxes, &e. 3.696,332.66 
Assets January 1, 1S87.31,545,930.77 
Total Liabilities.26.196.060.41 
Surplus by Ct. and Mass, standard. 5.349,870.36 
Surplus by standard of N. Y. 6,800.000,00 
Policies In force Jan. 1, 1887. 
63,293. Insuring...92.262,969.44 
Policies issued in 1886. 
6.728, Insuring.13,027,993.00 
MORGAN G. BULKELEY, Pres. 
J. C. WEBSTER, Vice-President. 
J. L. ENGLISH, Secretary. 
H. W. St. JOHN, Actuary. 
GURDON W. RUSSELL, M. D.. Consulting Physician. 
T. J. MUMFORD, Manager, 165 Broadway, 
New York. 
W. L. DOUGLAS 
$3 SHOE. 
Stylish, Durable, Easy Fitting. 
The best $3 Shoe in the World. 
W. It. DOUOLAS 
$2.50 SHOE 
equals the $3 Shoes adver- 
tised bv other firms. 
Our 
SHOE FOR HOYS gives great satisfaction. The 
above are made la Button, Congress and Lace, all 
styles of toe. Kreru pair warranted; name and price 
stmnpAl on bottom of rich »hoe. No others genuine. 
Sold by 2,000 dealer* throughout the l'. S. II your 
dealer does not keep them, send name on postal to 
W. I.. DOUGLAS, Brockton, Maas., for free 
Information. Shojs mailed, postage free. 
FOR A 2 GT. STAMP 
Will...,, J atrial sampleor Williams Harbors’ FUr Soap. 
A sure cure for Chapped Hands, 
Tbniisl, a •'Stia.lnc 8o*j>," It la unrquallml for the To,In. 
For ».lr bj all lirurw'.f 4. 
THS X. E, TULlAYS CO., Olutsnfeory, Conn, 
Manufacturers for 50 years of "genuink 
Yankee” and other celebrated Shaving Soaps, 
CANADA HARD.WO OD IM.KACHED 
ASHES! 
Cheapest fertilizer In use. Supplied La car lots. In hulk, 
bags or barrels. (Qualit y guaranteed,! Price and analy¬ 
sis sent free. Address. CHAS. -STEVENS, 
Box 437. Sapuuee, Ontario, Canada. 
WORK 
FOR ALL. 830 a week anil ex ponses 
paid. Valuable outfit anil particulars 
free. P.O. VICKERY, AoacsTx. Haros 
U ft M r 8TU l)Y. Rook keeping. Business Forms 
•1 V* IVI U Penmanship, Arithmetic, Short hand, etc., 
thoroughly taught by MAIL. Circulars free. 
BRYANT & STRATTON’S, Buffalo, N Y 
NEW 
Sample Book of beautiful cards, 14 Games, 
12 tricks In magic, 4.16 Album verses. All tot 
a2c. stamp. STAB CARD CO., Station IS, Ohio, 
CONSUMPTION, 
I fi&vo •positive mmed? fortbo above disease ; by Its uao 
thousands of of the wnrst kind and of Ion* standing 
have been cured. Indeed, so strong Is n»y faith In Its efficacy 
that I will send TWO BOTTLES FREE, together with a VAU 
UABL.K TREATISE on this disease, to any sufferer. Give ex- 
* P. 0. •ddxes#* DR« T, A. SLOCUM, m Tearl Si. N. Y 
THE ASPINWiLL POTATO PLANTER. 
Plants Potatoes In a single operation. 
THOROUGH. ACCURATE and RELIABLE. 
Send for circular to 
ASPINWALL M’F’G TO.. 
Three Rivers, Mich. 
N. C. 
Mention this paper. 
BECKER’S 
Patent Wash- 
fngMachlnelm- 
proved. The 
best, cheapest, 
and most desir¬ 
able washer 
made. »asily 
workeYl. and 
washes perfect¬ 
ly clean. Des¬ 
criptive Circu¬ 
lars and Price 
Lists mailed 
BAUGHMANVYerk. Pa. 
BONE JIEAL FOR POULTRY. 
30 It,, boxes.*1.40 , 100 It. bags.$3X0 
60 lh. ” 2 . 2 *, ! 2i«> it. bids . 5.50 
GRANULATED BONE. 
30 ft. boxes .$1.25 pm ft, bags..#2.75 
60 ft. “ 2.0<l | 200 ft, bbls. 5.00 
CRUSHED OYSTER 8 H ELI,8. 
50 ft. boxes.* .75 I 21*, !t, bags.$2.00 
100 ft. •' . 1 til | .SO ft. bbls. .... 825 
Expressly manufactured for fowls from superior 
stock. Pure anti sweet. Sent by freight, on receipt of 
price. Samples. 5 cents. Fine ground Ovstcr Snells 
same price as crushed. C. H. Dempwolf& <’o., 
YORK CHEMICAL WORKS, YORK, Pa. 
EVERY FARMER 
Use the Halt aiI ny fttand.it rd 
Corn ft h viler ih<l l-X*L Iron p ecu .mil #au aa jour naeu- 
ing ana *vtnding it horue, thu* saviac toll tnd teaming to and 
froui Us« Grist Mill. Thi* work can he dnn* rvloy. windy day*, 
when Out-door work fd suspended on the Ftrrn, Tne same Mill 
will rrut com stalks, eaw wood., run churn ai«d gKod-siotis, pump 
wan*. 
THE BEST 
is the 
CHEAPEST 
HIS OWN 
MILLER 
—:v"’a " , . ** *‘' wrn ^ueiierm. iron 
r reil Mill*. I-.K-L fttalk Cat ter*. Horse Powers, Jacks, 
Saw i S'lfiJar.i Haying Tool*. L* tin 5 of A nil-Friction. 
Rfc«er*lVW. Swivel and Rod Hay UarrWs, Harpoon and Grapple 
Hrr^? If4v F.trkA PqM>»rs Floor Hciok« Al*o 4 full Itne of 
~ *ml Pump# f..r Farm, Orr, .nn’tilxl, Villaga 
“ 4,i ^ay puri<<«M. Srud for fivMujue ami 
1 a uliable wanted in All utmostynM :«?rritorv. 
t’. 5s WIND ENGINE & PUMP C0-, Batavia, IIL 
Mnromber's Hand Planter, for Corn, Beans, 
and Beet Seed. The bust in the world. Money refund¬ 
ed If It does not prove satisfactory, after a fair trial. 
Agents wanted send for circular aud terms. 
8. M. Macouiber Jt l'o.. MTr's, Adams. Grand 
Isle Co., vt. Gvn'l Agents: t. C. Stoddard. North 
Brookfield, Mass.: E. Btuv*; M ison, Litchfield, Conn.; 
H. M. Smith & Co., Richmond. Va. 
S25Q WILL BUY 
_ _ THE BEST 
SAWMILL 
Yet offered for the money. 
*tTAA'.VD POP CIRCULAR. 
RICHMOND MACHINE WORKS. 
UlrllMOM*. INDIANA, 
HOMPSON’S 
SEEDER 
CLOVER 
and CRASS 
1 Sows Clover. Flax, Rad Top. and all kinds 
of Grass Seeds, any quantity to the acre, as 
evenly and accurately as the best grain 
, drill. Unrivalled for fast and accurate 
work. , -k Indispensable for sow¬ 
ing in windy weather. 
Send for deeorip- 
X. tire circular, tea- 
’> ’uaaanUls, Ac., to 
\ E. THOMPSON 
. . SoJ Of vin/tieturer, 
■ miuiTi. iiicH. 
A K *tg i O-spiiHUSe H.LV3 1.IJU. Y 
YfVdAid-ACMsvaiuxe • a Q 3 eeeappu .{ottpert 
| -dttfs ’<i| -OOl saxaq ^not jo vj; ntuQ 
pus peej '.vj.ooio ;n p«:( eq ,,j saffutfavd •«><•<, 
■telJeq .-uni(i,m .vtfiiqetl puguon jo .uueday 
• (in.) .50 --''I '-ntiv u spioii •siqanoo jo [ 
06 Ji'i It pe-n .non o.vtsq - 0 |,|«(s .1 v pi: -tjx 1105 ; 
•IPB09 u| MSJOfl .tuiq i ,nu,ioo;i ptrii nnpiud 40J 
sem*4S IT pu« 3«'U,lx | •spwujut’i (soiu*i 
I eiH .ui pesu s: H'I,U1 ) pun SHSIIOU -»ej 
gQIdS s.agvM 
CdfUlwohes. S»dcctlons. etc., and ageuts’ new Sample 
vUU fanls for a 2c stamp. I.ivin A Bao.. Cadiz, Ohio. 
Its causes, and a now and sticcess- 
1 fill V I K K at your own home, by 
1 eio who was deaf tweuty-elght 
, yours Treated by inosr of the noted specialists 
without benefit. Cured htmsclf iu three months, 
and since then hundreds of others. Full particulars 
sent on application. T. 8. PAGE, 
tXo. .41.\ Vest {31 st 8t.. Ne w Vorn City. 
