|
"We extract from the Annual of the State Agricultural College for 1871, from which source most of the statistics embodied herein are drawn, the following list in detail of — FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
In compliance with the conditions of the Congressional land Grant, there have been appropriated by the State the following sums:
The endowment fund of the college consists of two hundred and four thousand three hundred and nine acres of land, embracing all which was received by the State under the Congressional grant. "At the same session of the Legislature in which this munificent endowment was confirmed to the Agricultural College, Governor Kirkwood and Senators Gue and Clarkson formed a scheme for realizing an immediate fund by leasing the lands, instead of offering them for sale. This scheme was approved by the Legislature and passed into a law which authorizes the trustees to lease for a term of ten years any of the endowment lands. The lessee by the terms of the act pays annually in advance eight per cent interest on the appraised value of the land, with a right to purchase at the expiration of the lease. In the case of failure in the prompt payment of the interest when due, the land with all improvements reverts to the College. The lands embraced in the grant were subsequently appraised, and Hon. Geo. W. Bassett was appointed Agent of the Board at Fort Dodge, for the granting of leases, and the collection of interest money accruing therefrom. Under the efficient management of Mr. Bassett the lands have been leased, and the proceeds, when fully paid in, amount annually to thirty-six thousand dollars; which sum is "appropriated," according to the terms of the Congressional grant, "to the endowment, support and maintenance" of the Agricultural Colege. Owing, however, to the forfeitures on account of the non-payment of interest when due, the actual annual income of the College is not above thirty-one thousand dollars." Thus it may be seen on what basis this institution rests, and how justly every citizen of our State regards it with grateful pride. It may not be deemed improper to insert here the text of the special act of our legislature, forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquors within two miles of the college. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That from and after the fourth of July next, no person shall open, maintain, or donduct, any shop or other place for the sale of wine, beer, or spirituous liquors, or sell the same at any place within a distance of two miles from the Agricultural College, in Story county; Provided, That the same may be sold for sacramental, mechanical, medical, or culinary purposes. Any person violating the provisions of this act shall be punished on conviction by any court of competent jurisdition [sic], by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars for each offense, or by improsonment in the county jail for a time not exceeding thirty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Approved, April 7, 1868. It is thus seen that in addition to the usual regulations of a sanitary nature established by all educational institutions, the lawmakers of Iowa have enacted this stringent law for the purpose of protecting the students of this institution against those dangerous, and often fatal temptations to whose dreadful influences they are so frequently subjected. This law has the hearty approval of our citizens, and its violations if any are of a covert nature. We regret that want of space forbids the insertion here of many other facts, of a statistical sort, and others, relating to the course of experiments already inaugurated at the colleg farm, and their promised results as indicated by the reports of the several departments. A chapter also on the government, police regulation, and general management of the College and Farm would be highly instructive, and of great interest, not only to those who contemplate availaling themselves of the advantages offered by the institution, but to the general reader. Those, into whose hands this little work may fall, and who desire information in detail on the subjects referred to, can, by addressing the Secretary of the Faculty procure a copy of the College Annual for 1871. We append further extracts from that work, of a general interest, mainly with a view to show forth the present condition of the institution. We commence with the "The farm originally purchased for the use of the Agricultural College comprises six hundred and forty-eight acres, and furnishes a great variety of soils for different experiments. It is watered on the east side by Squaw creek, and by Clear creek on the north; and near the center are two never failing springs of pure water. On three sides, east, north, and west, the farm is bordered by groves of timber, embracing in all one hundred and sixty acres by the finest woodland. The entire farm is fenced; about three hundred acres are under the plow, and are cultivated by the labor of students. By vote of the Board of Trustees, May 1870, an addition of one hundred and ninety acres, lying north of the farm, has lately been purchased. This tract will supply grazing for the stock, which must largely increase to answer the necessities of the College." The design of the State, as indicated by the action of the Legislature, is to enlarge and multiply the College buildings proper, and also add to the general facilities for experimenting in all those branches of education in any manner relating to farm culture. These improvements will be made from year to year, no doubt as fast as possible, having due regard to the economical expenditure of appropriation made for this object. The day is long passed, when the institution itself can be denominated experimental, however the enterprise might have been regarded at the outset. The policy now is to lay foundation walls sufficiently broad, and thereon as time passes, erect such superstructures as shall be a credit and source of pride years hence to the citizens of our rapidly growing commonwealth. We insert here the following College Annual. COLLEGE BUILDINGS "The main College building which contains the dormitories, recitation rooms, chapel, library, museum, &c., &c., is one hundred fifty-seven, by sixty-one feet on the ground, and four stories high, with a basement for dining-room, kitchen, store-rooms, &c., &c. It is located in the center of an enclosure of one hundred and ninety acres, which contains the vegetable garden, vineyard, orchard, nursery, ornamental grounds, and various buildings belonging to the College. Two new wings of the main building, for which the last legislature appropriated fifty thousand dollars, are being constructed, and will be ready for occupation in the spring of 1872. The present building supplies dormitories for a hundred and sixty students. When the wings are added it will accommodate two hundred and twenty. West of the college building are the Work Shop, and Laboratory; the former a wooden building furnished with suitable tools, and containing a steam engine which drives various machines for laundry and other purposes; the latter a brick strructure sixty by thirty feet, with one story for students in analytical chemistry, and a basemtnt [sic] which furnishes apparatus and lecture rooms, for general chemistry and physics. Southward from the college at proper distances from each other, are three professor's houses built of brick, one in process of construction for Prof. Anthony, the other two being the residences of Prof. Jones and the President. ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS The grounds in the vicinity of the college building have been laid out with care, and ornamented with lawns, shrubbery, and trees. A broad terrace immediately in front is bordered with flowering plants and shrubs. Over a mile of graveled road has already been constructed, and more than a thousand evergreens planted in groups on the borders. It is believed that in a few years the college grounds will become the finest specimen of landscape gardening in the state." The laws which govern and regulate the State Agricultural College prescribe the following course for study. We subjoin the text of the act referred to, relating to this subject. "The course of instruction in said college shall include the following branches, to-wit: Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Botany, Horticulture, Fruit growing, Forestry, Geology, Mineralogy, Animal and Vegetable Anatomy, Meteorology, Entomology, Zoology, Veterinary Art, Plane Mensuration, Leveling, Surveying, Book Keeping, and such Mechanic Arts as are directly connected with Agriculture; and also such other studies as the Trustees may from this time to time prescribe not inconsistent with the purposes of this act." Reference to the above act discloses the additional fact that an average of two and a half hours per day of manual labor is required from each student, to be as regularly performed as the daily recitations. Experience is daily confirming the opini9n that this regulation is of a very salutary nature. "Protracted study without adequate exercise is injurious alike to muscle and brain." With rare exceptions, the students have engaged in daily out-door work with a heartiness which has been very gratifying to the officers of the College. The purposes which manual labor subserves in the Agricultural College may be briefly stated:
We close this chapter with the following extract from the College Annual, relating to the appointment and examination of candidates seeking admission to the institution, together with the ordinary expenses per College term: The preparatory department, heretofore belonging to the College has been discontinued. No person may enter the the Freshman class at an erlier age than fourteen years, nor any higher class except with a corresponding increse of age. Parents are earnestly advised, not to send their children here at an earlier age than sixteen years, unless they have attained to unusual maturity of character. Candidates for admission will be examined in English Grammar, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Geography, Arithmetic, and the Rudents of Algebra so far as Simple Equations. These several branches lie at the foundation of a good scholarship, and proficiency in each and all of these will be a condition of admission. Accepted candidates will deposit $10 with the Cashier as security for the payment of their bills, and have their names entered upon his books, after which they are considered as being members of the college, in full standing and entitled to all its privileges. A. S. WELCH, Pres., and Prof. of Moral & Mental Philosophy. Students pay actual cost for board, fires, light, laundry, use of musical instruments, damages to the property of the College when caused by themselves, a fair part of the chemicals consumed by themselves, care and general repairs of the College buildings and furniture, and for such other incidental expenses as specially belong to them as a body. Students pay nothing for tuition and rent, nor for the general expenses of the College. Students are paid for their labor at its value to the College, the rate per hour varying from three to nine cents. Hereafter upon entering the College, each student will deposit ten dolalrs with the Cahier, as a security for the payment of his bills. He will settle all bills for each month, at the Cashier's office, on the second Saturday of the month following, the original deposit being retained till final settlement. Any student who neglects to make such monthly settlement, except for reasons satisfactory to the President, may be dismissed by him for such neglect. Damages to the College property will be charged to the damager if known, but if its author is undiscovered it will be assessed upon the section where it occurs, or upon the whole school. Students supply themselves with bedding and towels, and with carpets if they desire them. All other furniture, including mattresses, is supplied by the College. For the past year the rates of charge have been as follows:
A fair estimate of expenses for next year may be set down as follows:
In addition to the above, charges will be made to students of certain classes as follows:
Students' earnins vary with their age, health, strength, and previous knowledge and skill, the time they devote to labor, and their general efficiency. The past year students have earned in some instances as much as $120, and have, by economy, fully paid their College expenses. An average of earnings for the past year has been $54, including the young, the sick, and the inexperienced. On the next page will be found a list of the presnt [sic] college faculty. A. S. WELCH, A. M. GEO. W. JONES, Jr., A. M., ---------------------,* JAMES MATHEWS, WILLIAM A. ANTHONY, B. Ph., ALBERT E. FOOTE, M. D., GENERAL JAMES L. GEDDES, CHARLES E. BESSEY, B. S., I. P. ROBERTS, MARY LOVELACE, AUGUSTA MATHEWS, MARY Mc DONALD, CHARLES E. BESSEY,
|