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Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
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12 History University of Illinois in Europe would overthrow any of their governments, and a European school here would work us backward. Our systems of education must be devised with reference to our circumstances, our government, and our social relations." Emmons added still another point: " O u r plan, whatever it may be, must be economical, and if it be designed to exert a widespread influence, tuition must be abolished. Instruction must be as free as it is possible to make it. \} This certainly is definitely feeling after agricultural education at government expense. I t is very interesting to note that as early as 1848, an Illinois man, Professor Jonathan B. Turner of Illinois college, in a letter to President Blanchard of Knox college, had formulated an outline for agricultural education. He later abandoned the main idea expressed in this outline, which was that agricultural instruction should be connected with a classical school. Nevertheless his proposal shows in certain respects so much foresight, sagacity, and enthusiastic common sense that it cannot be passed without comment. I t certainly was definite prophecy of the significant part Turner was to play in the establishment of agricultural education. Of his ideas he says: " I t is true that they may not be worth either writing or reading, but still as the thing is evidently new, someone must run the hazard of exposing his folly by making suggestions—and I know of no one who has a greater capital in that line to spare than myself." 9 He advocated: " 1 . A professor of chemistry, 2. a professor of botany, 3. a professor of what—the green earth?" A delicious touch that—revealing the imagination and humor which, united with sterner qualities, enabled him to fight so gallantly in his chosen cause. The first two professors would, of course, already be on the faculty of the classical school, but the third, he of the "what— the green earth?" would be an addition, and Turner by no means proposed that life for him should be a bed of roses. "Let him," Turner advised in speaking of the model farm, "purchase the farm himself and put the buildings, fences, etc., on it according to his own notion. While he was doing this and arranging Turner to Blanchard, undated but known to be 1848 from Blanchard ?s letter in reply. Turner manuscripts, see appendix, p. 357.
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