EDUCATION, Agricultural. The methods of scientific instruction in all branches of farming.
Most of the early attempts to establish systematic agricultural instruction were made through schools of secondary grade. This was the natural consequence of the fact that the early development of agriculture was largely dependent on the development and ap plication of chemistry. The two earliest col leges of agriculture to be established were at Hof wyl in Switzerland and Krumau in Bo hemia. They were started in 1797. The former exerted a marked influence upon the develop ment of agricultural education, especially that of a secondary grade. Its influence was felt in this country through the pupils that were drawn from this country and by the work of °Association of the Fellenberg System of Education." The first professorship of agriculture in a collegiate institution in this country was held by Samuel L. Mitchill of Columbia College. He also held chairs in natural history and chemistry at the same time. The position was established in 1792. Just when the first school devoted largely to the interest of agriculture was es tablished in this country is difficult to determine. During the early part of the 18th century a large number of agricultural societies were active and many of these organizations were interested in promoting systematic instruction in agriculture. The writings of Washington, Franklin and Jefferson bear testimony to their interest in the subject.
In spite of the fact that it is difficult to determine the beginnings of schools of agri cultural instruction, it is relatively easy to de cide upon the first institution in this country that attained such a measure of success that It attracted general attention. This honor be longs to Gardiner Academy which was estab lished at Gardiner, Me., in 1821. In the leg islative act providing for its incorporation it is stated that it was "designed to prepare youth by scientific education to become skillful farm ers and mechanics." In 1823 the legislature made provision for some aid from the State treasury. This was undoubtedly the first State aid that was ever granted to an agricultural school in the United States. This institution had a fair measure of success for several years but was finally forced to close its doors in 1823, because of decline in student body and a lack of financial support. Many other attempts were made with varying degrees of success to found schools during the first half of the 19th century, but none met with a marked degree of success. All declined after, at most, a few years
of existence. Among these institutions may be mentioned Agricultural Seminary, Derby, Conn., 1824; Cream Hill School, West Cornwall, Conn., 1845; Farmer's College, College Hill, Ohio, 1833; Fellenberg School, Whitesborough, N. Y., 1831; and Mount Airy Agricultural Col lege, Mount Airy, Pa., 1847. .
The movement for agricultural education be gan to assume more serious proportions when efforts were made to secure State and Fed eral aid for the support of agricultural col leges. To whom the credit belongs for these suggestions is impossible to say with certainty. It is agreed, however, that through the influ ence of far-seeing men in several sections of the country pressure was exerted in behalf of State and Federal support of colleges of agri culture at about 1850.
In Pennsylvania the present State College is due to the activity of the State Agricultural Society that took definite steps in 1850-51 to secure an agricultural school. In New York State several attempts were made but all of the early ones were without great measure of success. To the State of Michigan belongs the honor of having the oldest college of agri culture in North America. This institution is also the first to be established entirely on the basis of State support. The State Constitu tion adopted in 1850 made provision that the State legislature should establish and maintain a college of agriculture. The law providing for its establishment became effective 12 Feb. 1855. Immediately a bitter fight followed over the location of the institution. There was a decided effort made by those who were in terested in the State University to have the College of Agriculture made a part of that insti tution. This movement was opposed by the State Agricultural Society and this organiza tion was successful as the college was finally located at East Lansing. This location, apart from a literary institution, is of considerable interest because of the influence that it exerted upon the establishment of '