USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 2 > Part 18
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In 1886, President Greenough resigned, the vacancy being filled by the election of Prof. H. H. Goodell. Henry H. Goodell was born in Con- stantinople, Turkey, May 20, 1839, was fitted for college at Williston Sem- inary and was graduated from Amherst College in the class of 1862. During the war for the preservation of the Union he served as 2d and then as Ist lieutenant of the 25th Conn. Vols. and afterwards as aid-de- camp on the staff of Col. Bissell of the 3d brigade, 4th division, 19th army corps. From 1864 to 1867, he taught at Williston Seminary, being called to the professorship of modern languages at the Agricultural College in 1867. His connection with the college since its organization, coupled with executive abilities of a high order, well fitted him for the presidency, and the friends of the college have had frequent occasion to congratulate them- selves on his acceptance of the office. Other important changes were made in the faculty in 1886; Henry E. Alvord was elected professor of agricul- ture, Charles S. Walker college pastor and professor of mental science and political economy, Charles H. Fernald professor of natural history. April 16, the General Court passed a resolve making perpetual the allowance from the state treasury of $10,000 annually, first granted July 5, 1883. Later in the year a further grant of $7,500 was made for repair of build- ings and other needs of the college. The South dormitory, the chapel and library building and the laboratory of the experiment station were com-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
pleted in 1886. New apparatus was bought for the chemical, physics and natural history departments. The college grounds were connected with the . Amherst water-works by a four-inch iron main. A fire brigade was organ- ized among the students under direction of the military commandant; 750 feet of hose and a hose-cart were purchased for its equipment. Hon. Mar- shall P. Wilder donated several hundred volumes to the college library. In 1887, the college executed a formal lease of certain lands to the experiment station. During the year well-known scientists lectured before the students on special topics. In 1888, extensive repairs were made on the college buildings. William P. Brooks, a graduate of the college, was appointed to the chair of agriculture.
Feb. 25, 1887, the national Congress passed an act to establish agri- cultural experiment stations in connection with the agricultural colleges which had been organized in the several states under the provisions of the Morrill land grant. Their object and duty should be to conduct original researches or verify experiments on the physiology of plants and animals, diseases to which they are subject and remedies for the same, the chemical composition of useful plants at different stages of growth, the comparative advantages of rotative cropping, the capacity of new plants or trees for acclimation, analysis of soils and water, the chemical composition of manures, natural or artificial, with experiments designed to test their com- parative effects on crops of different kinds, the adaptation and value of grasses and forage plants, the composition and digestibility of different kinds of food for domestic animals, scientific and economic questions involved in the production of butter and cheese, and such other researches or experiments bearing directly on the agricultural industry of the United States as should in each case be deemed advisable, having due regard to varying conditions and needs of the respective states or territories. The United States commissioner of agriculture should furnish forms for the tabulation of the results of investigations or experiments, should indicate such lines of inquiry as seemed to him most important, and should furnish such advice and assistance as would best promote the purposes of the act. Each station should make annually on or before Feb. I a detailed report to the government of its operations, including a statement of receipts and expenditures. Bulletins or reports of progress should be published by each station at least once in three months, copies of such bulletins to be sent to each newspaper in the state where published, and to such indi- viduals actively engaged in farming as might request the same. The bul- letins and annual reports should pass through the mails free of charge. The sum of $15,000 per annum should be appropriated to each state from the United States treasury, for expenses of the station. By an act approved April 20, 1887, Massachusetts accepted the provisions of this giant. At
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THE HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION.
a meeting of the Agricultural College trustees held March 2, 1888, it was voted to establish a department to be called " The Experiment Department of the Massachusetts Agricultural College," which name was subsequently changed to the " Hatch Experiment Station of the Agricultural College." A committee was appointed with full executive powers ; at a meeting of this committee held March 10, the organization was completed, the follow- ing being chosen as officers : Director, H. H. Goodell ; agriculturist, W. P. Brooks; horticulturist, S. T. Maynard ; entomologist, C. H. Fernald ; meteorologist, C. D. Warner; treasurer, F. E. Paige; auditor, J. H. Demond. The committee entered into an agreement with the board of control of the State Experiment Station, the latter agreeing, in consideration of a payment of $5,000 annually, that such chemical work as was de- manded should be performed at the station. Work was begun at the Hatch Experiment Station in April, 1888.
In 1889, the English department was reorganized, and under the super- vision of Prof. George F. Mills gained in usefulness and importance. The farm buildings were enlarged and remodeled. Two large silos were built. About 28,000 feet of tile were laid for underdrainage. A small barn was built for special work in connection with dairy matters, for the general work involved in the handling of crops under experiment and the mixing, weighing and measuring of fertilizers. An insectary was built for the breeding of insects discovered on all useful plants, and for experiments with insecticides. The General Court appropriated $10,000 annually for four years, for the endowment of additional professorships and for general expenses. One-half this sum was to be used as a labor fund.
In 1890, under the provisions of the free scholarship act of 1883, 62 students were admitted to the college. All counties in the state were represented except Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket. Eighty-nine students availed themselves of the benefits of the labor fund. Two working biolog- ical laboratories were opened during the year, in charge of Professors Fer- nald and Maynard. James B. Paige, a graduate of the college in 1882, was elected to the chair of veterinary science. Extensive improvements were made upon the farm, the labor being performed by students who were compensated for their services from the labor fund.
The college, since its establishment, had been seriously hampered in its work by the inadequacy of the funds received as interest upon its endow- ment. Had the land scrip been sold at $1.25 an acre, which was about the current price when the Morrill bill was passed in 1862, the interest on the fund thus established would have amply supplied the needs of the institution for many years. The placing of so large an amount of scrip upon the market in 1862 and the years immediately following lowered the price nearly one-half. The Massachusetts college was not the only one that
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
found its income insufficient to meet its expenses. In nearly every state which had established an independent institution under the provisions of the Morrill act such institutions had been largely dependent upon state bounty for payment of their running expenses. Such conditions were not anticipated by those who had been instrumental in passing the Morrill act and, in 1890, an attempt was made to remedy them by supplementary legislation.
April 30, 1890, Senator Justin S. Morrill of Vermont introduced in the United States Senate " A Bill to establish an educational fund, and apply the proceeds of the public lands and the receipts from certain land-grant railroad companies to the more complete endowment and support of col- leges for the advancement of scientific and industrial education." The second section of this act provided :
"That there shall be. and hereby is, annually appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be paid as hereinafter provided, to each State and Territory for the more complete endowment and maintenance of colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts now established, or which may be hereafter established, in accordance with an act of Congress approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, the sum of fifteen thous- and dollars for the year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety. and an annual increase of the amount of such appropriation thereafter for ten years by an additional sum of one thousand dollars over the preceding year, and the annual amount to be paid thereafter to each State and Territory shall be twenty-five thousand dollars."
These sums were to be paid from funds received by the treasury for the sale of public lands and the receipts from land-grant railroad companies. They should be paid by the secretary of the treasury to the state or terri- torial treasurer, and the latter should pay them over to the treasurers of the colleges entitled to receive the same. The provisions governing the receipt and expenditure of these funds by the colleges were in many respects simi- lar to those attached to the original grant. No portion should be applied directly or indirectly to the purchase, erection, preservation or repair of any building or buildings. This bill was endorsed by the officers of agricul- tural colleges and experiment stations, by agricultural societies, granges and the friends of agricultural education throughout the country. It was passed by Congress, signed by the president and became a law Aug. 30, 1890. The question then arose as to the disposition of the funds awarded to Massachusetts under the provisions of this act. Of the income arising from the fund established by the original grant the state had allowed one-third to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and two-thirds to the Agricul- tural College. With this division the officers of the institute had never been fully satisfied, and they made a determined effort to secure at least one-half of the new appropriation. In this they were unsuccessful, the funds being
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OCCUPATIONS OF GRADUATES.
divided between the college and the institute in the same proportion as the income from the original grant.
The year I891 was a prosperous one at the college. A portion of the funds arising from the new national grant were received and were expended in adding to the equipment of various departments. The General Court passed a resolve continuing the labor fund for a term of years and also granted an appropriation for rebuilding the plant-house and erecting a rose- house. The standard for admission was raised and a higher grade of scholarship required. The military department adopted a new system of tactics. During the fall term President Goodell traveled in Europe for the benefit of his health, the college, in his absence, being in charge of Prof. C. H. Fernald, as acting president. April 5, the barn of the Hatch Experi- ment Station was burned.
In 1892, the college rolls bore the names of 190 students ; of these, 16 came from other states than Massachusetts, while the remaining 174 repre- sented 110 towns in the state. A gratifying gain had been made in the percentage of graduates. Of the 643 who had entered and left the institu- tion prior to 1886, only about 37 per cent. had graduated ; since that time 236 had entered and 52 per cent. had graduated. One young woman entered the freshman class in 1892, and did excellent work, but was com- pelled to leave owing to a lack of funds. Since the college opened its doors to students in the fall of 1867 it had received, not including the students pursuing the course in 1892, 879 men. Of that number 361 had completed the course, receiving the degree of B. Sc. Of the 348 living graduates, considerably more than one-half were engaged in farming or closely allied pursuits. Of farmers there were 92, agricultural editors, 4; engaged in the fertilizer business, 7 ; teachers in agricultural institutions, 21 ; experiment station directors, 3 ; veterinary doctors, S ; professors of veterinary science, 2 ; assistants in experiment stations, 22 ; assistants in Board of Agricul- ture, 2 ; assistants in Gypsy Moth Commission, 2. One-seventh of all the graduates were employed in agricultural colleges and experiment stations, including 3 college presidents, S professors of agriculture, 5 professors of horticulture and botany, 3 directors of experiment stations and several vice- directors. Of graduates not engaged in agricultural pursuits, 9 were law- yers, IS engineers, 11 teachers, 18 doctors, 2 dentists and 5 clergymen. Two had been masters of the State .Grange, two lecturers, and everywhere they were found at the head of local granges, and farmers' clubs and agri- cultural organizations.
Extensive additions were made to the equipment of the various depart- ments in 1892. The veterinary department was thoroughly equipped with working models of the horse and the principal parts of the body. A small laboratory was fitted up with microscopes, culture ovens and sterilizers for
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
the study of germ diseases. The zoological department was supplied with a collection of mounted animals, clastic models, diagrams and charts show- ing the operations of life throughout the entire animal kingdom. The chemical department was given a complete new outfit and to the physics department the apparatus necessary for the study of electricity. Extensive additions to the library were made in the departments of political economy, agriculture, zoology and chemistry. In the agricultural department a beginning was made for an economic museum and implements and appar- atus of all kinds were collected in an effort to represent the history of agricultural machinery. A collection of soils was made and samples gathered of all artificial and commercial fertilizers used in the state. For making these additions some $20,000 was made available under the pro- visions of the new Morrill act. The General Court passed in 1892 a resolve allowing $8,ooo for the use of the horticultural department. The Durfee plant-house was remodeled, extensive additions being made. A tool-house was erected and a cold grapery completed. The little stream flowing across the college grounds was dammed, making a pretty artificial pond, which not only adds to the beauty of the landscape but affords a plentiful supply of ice for use at the college. A new barn was built for the Hatch Experiment Station. In the report for the year announcement was made that since the establishment of the labor fund over 150 young men had been aided and $20,000 had been paid out for work in the direct line of their studies which had also contributed materially to the improve- 'ment of the college grounds.
The General Court in 1893 passed a resolve appropriating $40,000 for the use of the college, of which $19,000 should be available that year. This sum was to be used for the erection of two model barns. The old college barn, beside being inconvenient of location and inadequate in accommodations, had become infected with the germs of tuberculosis. Work on the new structures began in the summer of 1893. They were intended to accommodate 100 head of cattle, 14 horses, 75 sheep and So hogs. They would also afford storage room for 300 tons of hay. 325 tons of silage, several carloads of grain and 144 tons of roots. Accommoda- tions would also be afforded for a dairy school. Alterations were made on other college buildings. A hard-wood floor was laid in the drill-hall and a gallery constructed at one end. The toom formerly used as a chapel was completely remodeled and fitted up as a laboratory for advanced students in chemistry. The meteorological observatory was connected by wire with the telegraph office at the center village. Daily weather forecasts were received from Washington and weather signal flags were displayed from the tower. Arrangements were also made to receive frost warnings. The college made an interesting exhibit at the World's Columbian Exhibition
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ADDITIONS TO EQUIPMENT.
at Chicago. From April 1, 1892, to Oct. 1, 1893, the college received under the provisions of the Morrill act of 1890, $56,668.66 ; the expen- ditures for instruction and equipment were, during the same period, $43,921.74. At the beginning of the college year in September, 1893, the studies of senior year were made elective. A two-years' course was established, 23 students entering its first class. Five assistant professors were appointed in the departments of agriculture, chemistry, English, botany and mathematics; two of the men receiving appointments were graduates of the college. In November, Sir Henry Gilbert delivered the Rothamsted American lectures at the college.
In 1894, the General Court passed a resolve appropriating $7,500 for an electric lighting apparatus at the college. June 9, the old college barn was burned ; the origin of the fire was supposed to be incendiary. The new barns were completed in the fall. A new system of sewerage was introduced. During the spring term a course of lectures on forestry was delivered by Dr. B. E. Fernow, chief of the division of forestry at Washing- ton. Prof. C. D. Warner resigned as professor of mathematics and was succeeded by Prof. Leonard Metcalf. In 1895, the General Court passed a resolve appropriating $4,800 for building an addition to the insectary and erecting a gun-shed. The military department was equipped with two new breech-loading rifled cannon which took the place of the old 12-pounders. The State and the Hatch experiment stations were consolidated under the name of the Hatch Experiment Station of the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Latin, as a requirement for entrance and as a required study was dropped, but was given a place in the elective course. The two-years' course was dropped from the curriculum. A series of short winter courses was adopted, free to all citizens of the state without limitations as to entrance examinations. In the spring of 1896, a course in dairying was arranged. The General Court passed a resolve appropriating $11,000 for extending the laboratories of the experiment department and for purchasing the Clark property adjoining the college grounds.
The college and its faculty have for many years sustained intimate relations with the State Board of Agriculture, the State Grange and the various agricultural societies throughout the state. The Board of Agricul- ture has acted as the board of overseers of the college. Prof. C. A. Goess- mann has served for many years as chemist of the Board of Agriculture. and at the present time Profs. J. B. Paige, C. H. Fernald and S. T. Maynard are also officially connected with the board. Professor Goessmann has also the appointment of state examiner of fertilizers, and all fertilizers sold in Massachusetts at a price exceeding $10 per ton must be analyzed at the station and secure from the inspector a guaranty of composition and value. The members of the faculty are in great demand as speakers at agricultural
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
institutes and other gatherings of farmers. Prof. C. S. Walker has been for several years chaplain of the State Grange. That Massachusetts excels in the agricultural education imparted at its college is proven by the con- stant and increasing demand for the services of the graduates of that col- lege at the colleges and experiment stations of other states.
The students at the Agricultural College have organized and sustained many institutions, some of them enduring but a brief period, others gaining strength with the years and with the increased number of students at the college. Four secret fraternities are now in existence, the D. G. K., Q. T. V., Phi Sigma Kappa and College Shakespearean Club. Of these the D). G. K. is the only one to own a fraternity building where undergraduate members reside. The students have taken much interest in athletics, and sustain base-ball, foot-ball, athletic and tennis associations. A college glee and banjo club has been well sustained for several years. The college Y. M. C. A. is a prosperous organization that has exerted a strong influence for good on the lives of the undergraduates. The college has its paper, the Aggie Life, published bi-weekly and serving as an excellent exponent of life at the college. The Index is published annually by the junior class, the Cycle at commencement-time by the D. G. K. fraternity. Other organiza- tions, not alluded to above, are the Natural History society, the Reading Room association, the Washington Irving literary society, the Polo club, the Boarding club, the Press club, the Clark Cadet band.
Such, in brief, is the history of the Agricultural College, the second great educational institution to be established in the town of Amherst. Much might be written of its earlier struggles, when it was yet in the exper- imental stage, ere the people of Massachusetts had become acquainted with it or learned how valuable was the education it had to offer, when it was necessary to make annual appeals to the state for funds, appeals too frequently unheeded or answered in grudging fashion. It had its times of trial, of discouragement, of seeming failure. Much might be written, also, of the good it has accomplished, of what it has done for the education of youth and for the cause of scientific agriculture in Massaschusetts and in New England. An extended history of the college will some day be written, a history containing much of value but for which space cannot be found in the town history. Enough to realize and to say that the college has fulfilled in ample measure the highest hopes of its founders, that it has turned the attention of the agricultural classes towards the problems of scientific agriculture, and has aided in their solution, that it has gained the respect and confidence of all classes in the state, conquering the prej- udices of that class of economists who believe in limiting outlay without regard to the promise of returns.
The Agricultural College has furnished a practical, useful education
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
to hundreds of young men, many of whom could not afford the expense of a course at a purely literary college even would such a course prove of equal benefit to them in their chosen occupation. It has stimulated a waning interest in agricultural matters and furnished convincing argu- ments to the young men of the state as to why they should remain upon the farm rather than seek employment in the cities. It has impressed upon the public mind the dignity of agricultural pursuits, proving that head-work is as necessary as hand-work in the successful conduct of a New England farm. The work of the college has been ably supplemented by that of the experiment stations. The series of experiments conducted by the latter have been of great practical benefit to all persons living in the state, engaged in agriculture and kindred pursuits. The department of chemistry has kept them fully apprised of the value of the different kinds of fer- tilizers, home-made and commercial, of the kinds of fertilizers demanded by certain soils and for the production of special crops. The department of entomology has taught the best methods of warfare against insect pests. The department of horticulture has informed them concerning the nature of and remedy for plant disease, as well as of the best varieties of fruits. The department of agriculture has given them the results of experiments with crops, of feeding experiments with cattle for the production of meat and milk, and much other information of value.
CHAPTER LXIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS.
In Chapter XXVI brief sketches are given of the lives of some of the more prominent among the first settlers and early inhabitants of the pre- cinct, district and town. This History would be far from complete did it not contain something more than passing mention of others who have served the town in a variety of ways, strong men in the community, leaders in thought and action, town fathers in something more than the sentimental meaning of the term. It is a difficult and delicate task to select from a long list of honored names, representative of those sterling qualities that go to make the highest type of New England manhood, a comparative few for particular mention. In making this selection especial reference is had to public service as well as to high standing in the community. It would be easy to extend the list almost indefinitely, but lack of space forbids.
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