11
THE BATTALION.
*
well as all state legislation upon the subject to here provide
for the education of young men in agriculture and the mechanic
arts, this, of course, has been its leading object. It was, how
ever, not intended to exclude other scientific and classical
studies.
In the early days of the college, these
agricultural and mechanical features
caused much trial and tribulation to the
directors and to the faculty. Without
giving them time to perfect a system
upon these new lines of technical educa
tion; without means or funds with
which to carry into effect such views as were formulated, the
management was under continuous criticism for not putting into
practical operation these branches. At all time their importance
was recognized. Step by step they have advanced until now,
arriving at the twentieth milestone of her career, we find that the
most bilious critic has been silenced, and that the Texas A. & M.
College is one of the first-class institutions of the kind in the
country.
Its usefulness is only limited by the extent of its accommoda
tions. The great masses of the people have been friendly to it
during all the vicissitudes and changing scenes of these years.
It was filled to overflowing the second year of its existence,
and there have been but few years since, that all students ap
plying could be admitted for want of room. The college prop
erty has increased in value more than 100 per cent. A barren
prairie has been made a garden. The theory of an agricultural
and mechanical college has been reduced to a practical realiza
tion*. Hundreds of skilled young men have been sent out from
it, to adapt their knowledge to conditions and resources sur
rounding them and to upbuild and develop our state. Other
scientific and classical studies have been combined with the
chief branches and her graduates are finished scholars as well
as practical men. In those early pioneer days facilities were
meager and accommodations scarce. An able faculty, with
an earnest body of students overcame obstacles and undis
mayed by disappointment or adverse legislation, neither the
one taught nor the other learned to respect the word fail.
Agricultural Equipment
in ’76.