importance demands and deserves. There is reason to hope, however, that this evil is, all the world over, in process of cure.

It is almost needless to repeat here what has been already so explicitly urged in the foregoing Report, with regard to the desirableness and importance of establishing a Provincial Agricultural College, and making it part of a graded System of Public Instruction in the various branches of knowledge essential to Scientific Farm Management. I sincerely hope that some well-considered scheme of this sort may speedily commend itself to the Government and Legislature of Ontario.

Finally, among other methods of rendering service to the Agricultural interest, I think your Department would do well to employ an able Lecturer to visit all parts of the Country, address Meetings of Farmers, promote the organization of Farmers' Clubs, rouse attention to the necessity of improved methods of Agriculture and urge the importance of a higher standard of mental culture, and a general uplifting of that noblest and yet most despised of human pursuits,-Life on a Farm. I do not at this time enter into argument in support of the suggestions I venture to throw out; to do so would unreasonably protract this Report; but I hold myself in readiness to supplement this Report by way of appendix, evidence, quotation of authorities, and array of facts, as may hereafter be found needful, or expedient. I regret that this Commission did not fall into abler hands, but "if I have done slenderly or ineffectively, it is that which I could attain unto;" if I have appeared on any point dogmatic, I beg that it may be attributed to warmth of interest in a favourite pursuit; and respectfully submiting all to your official consideration and judgment.

GUELPH, June 8th, 1870.

WM. F. CLARKE, Commissioner.

SUGGESTION AS TO ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FOR ONTARIO.

Letter to the Provincial Secretary of the Reverend W. F. Clarke, relating to the Farm and College.

I avail myself of your kind permission to reduce to writing the substance of some representations lately made by me to you, in reference to the projected Ontario Agricultural College. I do this the more gladly, because I fervently hope that now, at length, this more important public enterprise will be undertaken. Too long have we been behind the States of the adjacent Republic, in providing for educating our young farmers for an avocation, the intelligent and successful prosecution of which necessarily underlies our prosperity and wealth. It is high time that we should be able to point to a well-managed and flourishing College of Agriculture, as proof that our Rulers have a wise care and regard for the fundamental interest of our Country.

Foremost among the points to which I earnestly desire to direct your attention, and that of your Colleagues in the Government, are the important questions of location and Site. In regard to the former, I can only reiterate the views I expressed in my Report addressed to the late Commissioner of Agriculture, under date of June 8th, 1870, and published as an Appendix to the Commissioner's Report for that year.

In fulfilling that part of my Commission, which enjoins it upon me to "submit an economical and practical scheme for the establishment of an Agricultural College in this Province," I feel no small degree of hesitation and diffidence, in view of the magnitude of such an undertaking, and the difficulties which beset it. Besides person

ally visiting and inspecting several of these Institutions in the United States, I have, since I had the honour to receive a Commission from you to report on this subject. made it my business to "read up" in regard to it, and attentively consider the various discussions, plans and experiments which may be said to form the history and literature of Agricultural Education. I find a remarkable unanimity of opinion among the leading Agriculturists of the world, as to the importance of special training for the business of Farming, and no less that it is the duty of the State to provide such training.

There is also a very decided preponderance of opinion, that such training must be provided for by the establishment of Agricultural Colleges, distinct from Colleges and Universities of a general Literary and Scientific character. I do not know of an instance in which a Chair of Agriculture connected with a general Institution of learning has been successful in drawing around it any large body of Students, or exerting any appreciable influence upon the Agricultural interest of a community, or Country. As with the Professorship of Agriculture in our own Provincial University, although filled by one of the ablest Agriculturists of the age, the one word "failure" gives the history of all such arrangements. Agriculture is overshadowed by other Studies; Farming is elbowed out by other professions; Agricultural Students feel themselves of an inferior grade to those who are studying for the Legal, Medical, or Clerical professions, and operated on by a variety of unfavourable influences, the Agricultural Class in a general College, or University, is invariably a dwindling and unsuccessful affair. It would seem as a matter of theory, that a School of Agriculture affiliated with our noble Provincial University, and profiting by its existing facilities for pursuing such studies as, although pertaining to a general literary course, are also cognate and necessary to an Agricultural Course, ought to prosper and be widely useful; but stubborn facts refuse to sustain the theory, and prove beyond successful dispute that to teach Agriculture effectively there must be a separate College for the purpose, with a Model, or Experimental, Farm attached, where the Students can be taught the practice as well as the principles of Agriculture, and where, without sacrifice of respectability. or loss of caste, they can doff the gown and trencher, put on the smock-frock, and handle the Hay-fork, or the Hoe in the actual manipulations of Farm work. This is just as needful in a process of Agricultural training, as it is that Medical Students should have Hospital practice, or that Students of Law and Divinity should have exercise in Elocution and Public Speaking. I would, therefore, very strongly urge, that, if anything be attempted in the way of any Agricultural College for Ontario, as I fervently trust there will, no design be entertained to connect it in any way with the University of Toronto, or any other existing Institution of learning, or indeed to locate it in Toronto, or any other leading City of the Province, but, "that choice be made of some Country Town of sufficient size to furnish Society, Market and Business facilities; that the place chosen be the centre of some such wealthy Agricultural region, as there is no lack of such in our magnificent Province; and that there, where it can exert an influence peculiarly its own, mould the surrounding public sentiment to respect for the dignity of Labour, and be strong in the esteem of an advanced Agricultural population, it pursue that beneficent and useful career which, I feel sure, were it established wisely and well, under such circumstances, would be predestinated for it." I come next to the question of Site. In conversation with the late Minister of Agriculture and others on this point, I strongly urged these four requisites to a suitable choice. Firstly, a plot of Land comprising all varieties of Soil, so that useful experiments might be conducted for the general good. Secondly, a high and if possible undulating stretch of ground, affording opportunity for laying out the Estate tastefully, and giving a commanding position for the College Buildings. Thirdly, an unfailing supply of running water. Last, but not least, a healthful neighbourhood.

Before I conclude, I beg leave to make a few general suggestions. It seems to me very desirable that in the Estimates ere long to be submitted to Parliament, an item for maintenance of the Agricultural College should be comprehended. No large sum will be required, but enough ought to be provided to admit of the appointment of President and Farm Manager being soon made, and to supply the requisite means for the preliminary expenses those Officers must incur. The President should be able to relieve the Minister of Agriculture of the multitudinous details that will require attention before the Institution can be put in operation, while it is only fair that he should have a part in the arrangements over which he has to preside, and for whose efficiency he will be responsible. He will require time to prepare his own Course of Lectures, for. I take it the Chief Officer should act in the capacity of Professor in some depart

ment. To secure the greatest efficiency of the Institution, its Presiding Officer should visit similar Colleges to inspect Apparatus, that he may make choice of the best; to investigate Courses of Study and Modes of Teaching, that the most approved may be adopted; to enquire into conditions of success and causes of failure; and in general to qualify himself as thoroughly as possible for his post of duty. In addition to all this, which will consume some time, the President would require to take steps to awaken interest in the College, among those from whose families the Students are to come. It is only a few of our more intelligent and enterprising Farmers who appreciate the need and value of such an Institution, or will be disposed to send their Sons to it. It is desirable that all parts of the Province should be made to feel that the College is theirs, and that representative young men should be got from every Section, who, on completing their Studies, will go forth as missionaries of Scientific Agriculture to their several neighbourhoods. I can think of no better plan whereby this needful preparatory work is to be done than by the holding of Agricultural Conventions, like the County Educational Conventions held by the Chief Superintendent of Education in the interest of our Common School System. Each County, either by Statute enjoining it, or by representations memorializing it, should establish one, or more, Scholarships in the projected College, to be competed for by the young men of the County, who being Senior Pupils in the Common Schools, and having studied the First Lessons in Agriculture now taught in them, would emulate each other in the endeavour to obtain such useful Prizes. Thus a select class of Students would be secured, a portion of the expense of maintenance provided by the Municipalities, and a wide-spread interest awakened and kept up in the subject of Agricultural Education. Besides attending and addressing such County Meetings the President should make large use of the Press in expounding the objects of the College, and commending it to the support of the Country. His early appointment alone can secure all this in time to make it morally certain that the Institution will open with a full supply of Students, and under auspices of encouragement and vigour.

On the supposition that either the Farm already purchased, or a better one, will be available before Spring, it is needful that some preliminary plan of work be adopted, and a Manager, or Superintendent, put in charge. By whom he is to be appointed, or to what individual, or body, of Officers, he is to be amenable, are matters of detail, into which I forbear entering.

This Communication has necessarily been written amid the pressure of many other duties. Earnestly hoping that it may have some little influence in shaping the history and promoting the success of the projected College.

GUELPH, February, 1872.

WM. F .CLARKE.

THE REVEREND W. F. CLARKE'S REPORT ON FARMS AT GUELPH.

THE REVEREND W. F. CLARKE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.

I beg to report that, in accordance with your desire, I have instituted very thorough inquiry as to property contiguous to the Town of Guelph, suitable for the Site of an Agricultural College, and have succeeded in obtaining a binding offer, good for twenty days, of about 400 Acres in one block, at $24,000, or $60 per Acre.

This piece of Land adioins the North Ward of the Town, indeed some 30 Acres of it are within the corporation limits; it is close to two of our most important macadamized Roads, and fulfils all the requisites for an Experimental, or Model, Farm; being composed of choice and varied Soil, in an excellent state of cultivation. It is very beautiful for situation, having an undulating surface, and comprising a most commanding Site for Public Buildings; it is well watered, being bounded on the west by the north branch of the River Speed; and is undeniably one of the healthiest spots in the world. There are two substantial Farmsteads on the property; one consisting of a beautiful Stone Residence with ample Barns, the other not so valuable, but still

commodious enough for a Farmer's Family. The place is well fenced, a large portion of the outer Fence being of Cedar posts and boards. About 50 Acres are partially wooded, say about half as thickly as in a state of nature. Possession of the Estate can be had at once, except a portion which is rented as a Race Course, and the lease of which at $200 per annum, has about a year to run.

I am confident that every Person competent to form an unbiased judgment will pronounce the property everyway fit for the Site of an Agricultural College, and I am also quite certain that among the many desirable properties adjacent to the Town of Guelph, the one of which I submit an offer, has no superior, if indeed it has an equal. I may add that my enquiries have been made through a third party, that neither he nor those whom he has approached have had any knowledge of the purpose for which the Land was wanted, and that as compared with the figures at which other properties contiguous to Guelph are held, the Estate offered is remarkably cheap. Trusting that this Report will prove satisfactory.

GUELPH, 13th February, 1872.

WILLIAM F. CLARKE.

NOTE. The Farm at Guelph having been purchased by the Government, the President of the Agricultural Association referred to it as follows:

AN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE FOR ONTARIO.

In the Address of the President of the Provincial Agricultural Association, the following reference is made to the new Agricultural College for Ontario:

"It is proper to direct your attention specially to the proposed Agricultural College and Model Farm. During the present year the Ontario Government have purchased the Farm of Mr. Stone, near Guelph, for the purpose. It is one of the best Farms in the Province, and in every respect admirably fitted for the Institution. It is pleasing to be assured that it will be soon opened for the reception of Students. In Ontario we need an Institution in which teaching the Science and Practice of Agriculture is the leading feature. We have tried the same experiment which has been so often tried elsewhere, with invariably the same result, that is, we have tried to unite an Agricultural School with a literary Institution, (The Toronto University), on the theory that an Agricultural Student should combine a Literary Course with an Agricultural one; the result has been failure. The literary has over-shadowed and extinguished the other. The general has overpowered the special. Notwithstanding the teaching of an able Professor in our own University College this has been the result. The same thing is the case at Cornell University. A large Endowment was given to New York for an Agricultural College, and that was ceded to Cornell, and an Agricultural Faculty was established, but as part of a great Literary Institution, and the result has been that in a University Roll of several hundreds the Students in a given time number less than twenty. We propose that our Farmers' Sons shall receive that kind of training which has a special reference to the profession of Agriculture; in other words, that as in the case of other professions, they shall be trained for their own profession, taught Scientific and Practical Agriculture, and that they shall also be taught to feel that the profession of Agriculture is a noble pursuit, a pursuit first in importance to the world, and largely free from temptations to vice, and very favourable to the practice of virtue. The Ontario Government have secured the valuable services, as Principal, of Professor McCandlers, formerly of Glasnevin, Ireland, and lately of Cornell University. Under his auspices we hope to have a prosperous career for our Ontario Agricultural College and Model Farm. To the Farmers of Ontario this Institution belongs, and they ought to give it their confidence and extensive patronage.

-see to

"The Government and Parliament are supplying these valuable privileges,-se it that your Sons take advantage of them."

THE NECESSITY OF A PRACTICAL EDUCATION FOR FARMERS.

At a recent Meeting of the Farmers' Club of Markham Township, Mr. John Gibson, the President, discussed the question of "Education as applied to Rural Districts." The question of so establishing a Model Farm and Agricultural College was also dis

cussed.

Captain H. P. Crosby, M.P.P., understood that the question for discussion to-day included all branches of education, that immediately affected the education of Farmers' Sons, which would include the Model Farm and Agricultural College, and also the High Schools. The question was simply which was the best system to educate Farmers' Sons to make Farmers, and to make Farming a profession. He believed that Farmers should have Colleges established for the sole benefit of educating their Sons to follow Farming, as well as others to have Colleges to educate their Sons for Doctors, Lawyers, Ministers, and Mechanics, or Merchants. There were Colleges established in Canada for the education of all the professions, and he hoped that Farming would be elevated to a profession, that Farmers' Sons might become proud of the calling, and they be induced to stick to it as a profession; then instead of its being considered an inferior calling, it would be one of the very noblest of professions. The Farmers were the bone and sinew of the Country, and should demand their inalienable rights. They should have the means to educate their Sons to represent their own constituencies in the Legislative halls, and be prepared to fill all the places of public trust in rural constituencies. The better people were educated the better citizens they became, and there was no class of the population of Canada that were more entitled to a higher education that Farmers' Sons. The Press throughout the land advocated it, and the majority of the people demanded it, hence the Sandfield Macdonald Government had established the Agricultural College and Model Farm, and the present Government were carrying through the measure begun by them, and he hoped that soon the Curriculum would be such as would give those attending a thorough knowledge of Scientific Farming. Many Farmers' Sons at present felt that the calling of a Farmer was undignified, and too frequently sought to get education enough to get behind the Counter, into a Warehouse, or some other business. This was a great mistake. Just see the number of failures that occur in these classes, as only about one in fifty succeeded. Educate our Sons to believe that Farming is one of the noblest callings, as it is, and many that would otherwise despise it will become proud of it, and stick to it as a profession. An Agricultural College, with Degrees to confer and honours to be won, will have that tendency. If, as was anticipated, only a few of the many received the advantages to be derived from this College, they would exercise a wonderful influence in the neighbourhood in which they located. Some would follow their example, others would try to excel the College Farmer, and a spirit of emulation would be created and could not fail to be beneficial. Competition was healthy and good. Our Ploughing Matches and Agricultural Fairs had a tendency to foster this spirit of emulation, and had proved a blessing to the Country. Old Country Farmers coming in and introducing their system of Farming, had proved a great blessing, by setting good examples, and Scientific Farming would still increase the profits of Farming, and elevate it to a profession. So soon as Farming became popular, we would find men going into it and following it, and becoming successful. He did not think the Agricultural College and Model Farm would be so much used as a Stock Farm, but more for educating, in testing Seeds, Manures, and treatment of Soils, Farm Engineering, Draining, etcetera. There are so many good Farmers in the business of breeding and importing of Stock, and doing it successfully, that the Government would not interfere with them, as they had already proved a blessing to their Country and to themselves. As with other Educational Institutions, when established, this College and Farm would develop the branches the most desirable to be taught, and the discussions produced would draw public attention to Farm Education, and thus prove beneficial in that way. It would also keep pace with the times, as our Common Schools have done. The system of teaching and the Text Books have been greatly improved within the past few years. The High School was only a link between the Common Schools and Colleges, but a very necessary one, and should be nourished and supported rather than crippled by the County Council.

Captain Milne said, when he proposed this question for discussion, seconded by the Honourable David Reesor, he thought it one of great importance to the Farmers, and a very proper subject to be discussed by this Club. He had long felt that our Sons