University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

Page 17 text:

« ■ [ «• THE INDEX. 7 ing the number of companies and bringing the entire organization into as simple and compact form as possible. The Editors would here express their regret that no more time is devoted to the study of the mental sciences. We most cordially indorse the words of the Professor of those sciences, that the su- preme object of the Agricultural College is to make farmers, men in every sense of the word. Popular opinion has complained that such studies ought not to be in the curriculum of an agricultural college, that it would be of no after use to the graduates. We, as students, indignantly reject such comments, and demand of the col- lege that facilities for such study be enlarged, rather than con- tracted. Most of us are from the farms, we are acquainted with the practical side of agriculture, we want to study the theory here, to gain a liberal education. If the design of the institution was to turn out ploiigh -joggers, it has been a costly experiment. That class of farmers is in the majority already. Nothing further is required to fit a young man for that position than horny hands and an empty head. But a progressive farmer has other things to become ac- quainted with. He mui3t not only be versed in physical philoso- phy, but, as he is dealing all the time with other men, buying and selling, he must understand human nature; and what is that but a department of mental or social philosophy. The establishment of a nursery in connection with the Horticul- tural Department, should be noticed as a valuable source of instruc- tion to the students. This was a needed supplement to the oral in- struction in horticulture. Every one, during the Junior year at least, has field practice in all the different branches of fruit culture. « The students will not forget that they have lost one pleas- ant and genial friend this term, Mr. Johnson. Long and faith- fully did belabor at the college. Always readjT- to take and return a joke, his team was a favored seat with every one. May success go with him in his new home. The editorial would be incomplete were it to fail to speak of the departure of ' 78. Faculty and student may well think of that class with pride. Strong in numbers and vigorous in intellect, it ■

Page 16 text:

■ - - 6 THE INDEX. our faithfulness to win the esteem of him, whose worth is felt in other lands than our own. Our college has lost this year the services of Dr. Packard, Lec- turer upon Useful and Injurious Insects, the Doctor having been called to anew field of labor. We feel the loss keenly as the oppor- tunity of hearing his lectures was one of the privileges of the Junior year. It is earnestly to be hoped that the Trustees will soon fill his place, although they cannot make it good. After glancing at the amount of damage annually wrought on a few farm crops only, by the ravages of such insects as the potato beetle, phylloxera, the grasshop- per and the cabbage fly, whicli cause an annual loss of tens of mil- lions of dollars, no one in the Commonwealth is able to say that the study of the habits of these insects, and of the means of protecting ourselves from their attacks, is not of the most vital importance in the education of the embryo farmer. Lieutenant Totten left college at the end of the Summer term, and is now with his regiment on the Plains. He was an officer who thoroughly understood his duties, and one who was ever on the alert to execute thgm in a manner most beneficial to the interests of the college. One does not have to search far to discover improve- ments introduced by him in and around college. Whatever he touched seemed instinctively to drop into mathematical form and ar- rangement. Most flattering to himself were the changes that he introduced in the dress and appearance of the cadets. No, military discipline and study is one of the most essential parts of the educa- tion gained at the M. A. C. No successor having been appointed by the Government at the commencement of the Fall term, the Faculty secured the services of Captain Smith. He adopted a most excellent practice by requiring all upper classmen to act as squad drill masters of the Freshmen. By this course those men that assist in the drill will be made more careful and reserved in their conduct, and far better fitted to per- form their duties in the Battalion. Captain Smith was subsequent- ly relieved by Lieutenant Charles Morris, detailed for this place by the President of the United States. Commandant Morris has varied somewhat from the methods of Lieut. Totten, decreas-

Page 18 text:

8 THE INDEX. maintained its precedence in college life to the end. The college was ably represented at the Boston University commencement, by Mr. C. F. Coburn of the graduating class. He was pronounced by com- petent critics to have been the best speaker of the day. The power with which he handled his subject, Tlie Poetry of Science, clearly proved that the students of an Agricultural and Mechanical Col- lege are not without poetic sentiment. ' 78 has many good friends among us yet. Let us remember the injunction of the poet, The friends thou hast and their adoption tried, Grapple to thy soul with hooks of steel. In losing ' 78, we gained ' 82. By reason of the munificence of the Trustees in remitting tuition, ' 82 even surpasses her name in extent of numbers. As a class, they are bracing up under their du- tiess right manfully, althougli His awkward gait, his introverted toes, Bent knees, round shoulders, and dejected looks. Procure him many a curse. The Editors are sorry to send out the Index without the class poem. Nature has not bestowed upon us the gift, vouchsafed to . Homer, of expressing our tlionghts in numbered sentences; neither do we feel it honorable to plagiarize the original meter of the pre- ceding poet ; and finally, if we were dishonest enough for that, we should still be without that grand inspiration of those arithmetic signs, among the pines, that led on Seventy-nine to victory. The editorial pen must now be laid aside and other duties taken up. If our friends are amused or instructed in looking through these pages, we shall have received our reward. Many pleasant hours have been spent together by the Editors in the preparation. Hours and work, the recollection of which will long be stowed away in memory. Now we send it forth as a fitting souvenir of the class of ' 80. i • =f...|ite„.5 SK- ■it