5th. To afford the means of a general education to the farming class. This the Agricultural College endeavors to supply. The labor system preserves the student's health, and the habits and love of wholesome work. The professional part of the course gives him an insight into the nature of the objects and forces with which he has to deal. Added to this are the branches of study which help to make an intelligent and useful citizen, which cultivate his taste, and enable him to give expression to his knowledge and opinions.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION.

Candidates for admission into the Preparatory Class must be not less than fourteen years of age, and must sustain a satisfactory examination in Arithmetic, Geography, Grammar, Reading, Spelling, and Penmanship.

Candidates for admission into the Freshman Class, or for any advanced standing, must sustain an examination in all the previous studies of the course.

DEPARTMENTS OF INSTRUCTION.

ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY.-The primary forces-Heat, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, etc.; Chemical affinity and the laws of chemical combination; Elementary Substances-their history, properties, combinations and uses; application of Chemistry to the Arts and Manufactures; Organic Chemistry. In the study of Elementary Chemistry, the facts and principles of the science are illustrated by experiments.

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY.-General Analysis; Analysis of Soils; Analysis of Minerals, use of the Blow-pipe; Analysis of Manures; Analysis of the Ashes of Plants; Alkalimetry and Acidimetry. In prosecuting Chemical Analysis, the student spends three hours a day in the Laboratory, under the direction and supervision of the Professor in Chemistry, applying with his own hands the tests required to determine the composition and properties of bodies, thus securing a practical knowledge of the methods employed in these investigations.

AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY.-Formation and composition of soils; the relations of air and moisture to vegetable growth; Connection of heat, light and electricity with growth of plants; Nature and source of food of plants; Chemical changes attending vegetable growth; Chemistry of the various processes of the farm, as plowing, fallowing, draining, etc.; Preparation, preserving and composting of manure; Artificial manure; Methods of improving soils by chemical means, by mineral manures, by vegetable manures, by animal manures, by indirect methods; Rotation of crops; Chemical composition of the various crops; the Chemistry of the dairy. The instruction in Chemistry is imparted both by lectures and text-books.

PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE.-First Year.-Laying out of farms; Arrangement and planning of farm buildings; Farm implements; General principles of tillage; Principles of draining; Laying out and construction of drains; Methods of seeding; Harvesting of crops; Principles of stock-breeding; Breeds of domestic animals-their characteristics and adaptation to particular purposes.

Fourth Year.-General principles of farm economy; Manures, their management and mode of application; Succession of crops; Preparation of the soil for particular crops; Cultivation of crops; Management of grass lands; Stockhusbandry; Care of animals and principles of feeding; Fattening of animals; Management of sheep. In addition to the above course, instruction is given in the field in the various manual operations of the farm.

BOTANY.—A course is first given in Physiological Botany; Systematic Botany is then taken up, the natural orders being studied as to their botanical characteristics; their size and geographical distribution; their relative importance; the genera and species having agricultural value; those having commercial or medical value; those having ornamental value; and those which are obnoxious or detrimental, as weeds or poisonous plants. The orders are illustrated by diagrams, and numerous living and dried specimens. The living specimens are dissected and examined by the student, and their genera and species determined. The indigenous plants, together with those cultivated in the gardens and grounds, afford material for the study of this department of botany. In the study of Vegetable Physiology, structure is illustrated by means of diagrams. Several excellent microscopes are used in the study of minute structure.

HORTICULTURE. In the course in Vegetable Physiology, the relations of that science to Horticulture are pointed out. The Sophomore class being employed during the year in the gardens and college grounds, is afforded abundant oportunities for the application of the instruction received in the class-room. It is intended that each student shall have practical experience in every cultural operation. In addition to these methods of instruction, a course of lectures is given on the history, theory and practice of horticulture.

ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY.-In this department, particular attention is given to the Anatomy and Physiology of domestic animals. The course is illustrated by anatomical preparations and diagrams, representing the comparative structure of the organs of locomotion, digestion, circulation, respiration and reproduction of each branch of the animal kingdom. Dissections of animals are made, to render the student familiar with the appearance, situation and relation of the organs of the animal system in a state of health, and the changes produced by disease. Opportunities are given for the study of the minute structure of the various tissues by means of the microscope.

ZOOLOGY.-Principles of the classification of animals, as founded on their structure and embryonic development. Descriptive Zoology, comprising the systematic arrangement of animals in accordance with their natural affinities, in classes, orders, families, etc.; habits and geographical distribution of animals.

ENTOMOLOGY.-The course in Entomology is illustrated by a valuable collection of native and exotic insects. Particular attention is given to the study of species injurious to vegetation; and the best method of checking their ravages is discussed. Students, by collecting and preserving specimens of our native species, become familiar with their habits in their several stages of development. MATHEMATICS AND CIVIL ENGINEERING.-The Preparatory Class spend some time in the review of Arithmetic. The following branches of Mathematics and their application follow: Algebra, Geometry, Plane Trigonometry, Spherical Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Surveying, Leveling, Plotting, Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Arches, Framing, Bridge and Road Building. Students have the use of chain, compass, and other instruments for practice; and receive instruction in the field as well as in the lecture-room, each student being required to take charge of field surveys, and to become practically acquainted with the use of the Level.

GEOLOGY.-A Course of daily recitations in Geology during the second half of the Freshman year, is illustrated by maps, diagrams and specimens.

ENGLISH LITERATURE. Instruction in this department is given by means of text-books and lectures. Rhetoric-Style. History of English Literature. Rhetoric-Arguments, Conviction, Persuasion, Fallacies in Reasoning. Select portions of English Classics receive critical examination in a course of reading prescribed for each class. The classes have regular and systematic instruction in the art of the selection, arrangement and expression of the matter related to the assigned or chosen topics for composition.

PREPARATORY.-The Preparatory course is designed, by a review of the ordinary branches of a common school education, to prepare the student to enter upon the regular College course of study. It serves also to qualify him to teach during the winter months.

COURSE OF STUDY.

PREPARATORY CLASS.

First Half Year.-Arithmetic, Robinson's Higher; Descriptive Geography, Mitchell's School; English Grammar, Green's.

Second Half Year.-Algebra, Robinson's Elementary; Natural Philosophy, Olmsted's School; Composition, Quackenbos'.

College Course.-FRESHMAN CLAss.

First Half Year.-Algebra, Robinson's; History, Webber's; Geometry, Robinson's; Book-keeping, Bryant & Stratton's.

Second Half Year.--Trigonometry, Robinson's; Surveying, Davies'; Practical Agriculture; Geology, Dana's.

SOPHOMORE CLASS.

First Half Year-English Literature, Chambers', Spaulding's; Botany, Gray's; Elementary Chemistry, Youmans'.

Second Half Year.-Entomology, Harris'; Analytical Chemistry, Fresenius; Botany, Gray's, Darlington's, Lindley's; Horticulture.

JUNIOR CLASS.

First Half Year.-Physics, Snell's Olmsted; Agricultural Chemistry, Johnstone's; Inductive Logic, Herschel's.

Second Half Year.-Physics; Rhetoric, Whateley's, Day's Praxis; Animal Physiology, Dalton's.

SENIOR CLASS.

First Half Year.-Zoölogy, Carpenter's; Practical Agriculture; Mental Philosophy, Wayland's; Astronomy, Snell's Olmsted; Landscape Gardening, Downing's, Kemp's.

Second Half Year.-Civil Engineering, Mahon's; Moral Philosophy, Haven's; Political Economy, Carey's, Walker's; French, Fasquelle's.

Declamations and Compositions throughout the entire course.

MANUAL LABOR.

Each student not exempt for physical disability, is required to labor three hours a day on the farm or in the gardens. The number of hours may be increased to four or diminished to two and a half. Some compensation (see means of defraying expenses) is allowed; but the labor is regarded as an essential part of the educational system of the College, and is performed with special reference to illustrating and applying the instruction of the lecture-room. Students are not employed in those kinds of work only in which they may be most proficient, but, as the work is classified, each is made acquainted with all the operations of farming and gardening. The Sophomore Class work the

entire year under the direction of the Professor of Horticulture. The Juniors spend the year under the direction of the Professor of Practical Agriculture The other classes alternate between the farm and gardens.

MEANS OF ILLUSTRATION.

1. A farm of 676 acres, of which about 300 are under cultivation. 2. Botanical gardens of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. 3. Vegetable gardens, small fruit garden, apple orchard, pear orchard, general lawn and grounds. 4. Galloway, Ayrshire, Devon and Short Horn Cattle; Essex, Suffolk and Chester White Swine; Southdown, Cotswold, Spanish Merino and Black-faced Highland Sheep. 5. A Chemical Laboratory and Apparatus. 6. Philosophical and Mathematical Apparatus. 7. A Museum of Animals and Minerals. 8. The Cooley Herbarium--a very valuable collection of plants. 9. Museum of Vegetable Products. 10. Library and Reading Room. 11. Buildings, Workshops, Tools, etc.

DEGREES.

The Degree of Bachelor of Science is conferred upon students who complete the full College Course, and sustain all the half yearly examinations in the same. The Degree of Master of Science is conferred upon graduates of three years' standing, who give evidence of having been engaged during that period in scientific studies.

EXPENSES.

Tuition is free to all students from this State. Students from other States are charged $20 a year for tuition.

Board and washing are furnished at College Boarding Hall, (where students are required to board, unless permission to board elsewhere is granted by the Faculty,) at cost. The cost of board the past season has been $2.60; washing, 42 cents per dozen. Room-rent for each student is $4 a year, paid quarterly, in advance. Rooms are furnished with bedsteads and stoves; students furnish everything else. Mattresses and pillows may be rented of the College. The cost of furniture for rooms will vary with the taste of the students occupying them. Rooms can be comfortably furnished at a cost not exceeding four or five dollars for each student. A matriculation fee of $5, entitles the student to the privileges of the whole course. This fee is appropriated to the increase of the Library. At the opening of the year each student is required to pay to the Secretary $10, as an advance on board, which is allowed in the settlement of accounts at the end of the year.

Students receive remuneration for the labor they perform, the amount paid depending on their ability and fidelity. The highest wages for the present year have been seven and one-half cents per hour. The lowest rates do not exceed two or three cents per hour, if the student fails to render more valuable service. The wages for labor are applied on their board, in the quarterly settlements.

The winter vacation affords the student an opportunity for teaching. These earnings, added to the wages received during the term, will, if he is industrious and economical, enable him to defray a large part of his College expenses.

The report of the President, T. C. Abbot, for the year 1866, (30 pp., 8vo.) presents a full summary of the operations of the institution, with an able discussion of the various features which have here been successfully developed.

MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY. Hyattsville P. O.

I. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT.

THE MARYLAND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE is the result of a public sentiment in the State in favor of such an institution which began to be exhibited more than twenty years ago. In 1845 the Board of Visitors and Governors of the Frederick County Academy established a Department of Agricultural Chemistry, and appointed Professor William Baer to fill it. In 1847, George D. Coad, Esq., chairman of the Committee of Agriculture in the House of Delegates of Maryland, in an able report recommending the appointment of an Agricultural Chemist for the State, expressed the hope that there would soon be "courses of agricultural education in the public academies and schools, or schools for that special purpose established."

In 1848, at the first anniversary meeting of the Maryland State Agricultural Society, the orator of the occasion, Col. Wilson M. Cary, urged "the necessity of professional education for the future farmers of the State," and "the introduction of those sciences immediately connected with their pursuit, into our colleges and seminaries of learning."

In 1850, Dr. White, of Montgomery county, introduced into the House of Delegates a proposition to enquire into the expediency of requiring the academies of the State which receive aid from the public treasury, to provide for instruc tion in Geology and Agricultural Chemistry. About the same time, Hon. Wm. Williams, President of the Senate of Maryland, offered to the State Agricultural Society one hundred and fifty acres of land in Somerset county, for the purpose of establishing an Agricultural College.

In 1854, Ramsey McHenry, as chairman of a committee of the State Agricultural Society, prepared an address "to the citizens of Maryland and contiguous States," urging the establishment "in connection with an experimental farm, of an educational institution to be entitled "The Agricultural College of Maryland." In the same year James T. Earle, in behalf of the State Society, addressed a memorial to the Congress of the United States, which was endorsed by the Committee on Agriculture of the U. S. Senate, and embodied in an able report of Mr. Morton, the chairman. Mr. Earle's associates on the committee were Oden Bowie, Governor of the State in 1868, Col. George W. Hughes, Clement Hill, and Francis P. Blair, aided by Hon. Charles B. Calvert, member of Congress. The specific recommendation of the memorial was the purchase of Mt. Vernon and establishing there, under the auspices of the Government, a National Agricultural and Educational Institution.

The prevailing sentiment indicated by these and many other expressions of interest in behalf of agricultural education, led to the belief that a large sum might be realized from individual subscriptions towards founding an Agricultural College, and application for a charter was made to the State Legislature of