What began as The Storrs Agricultural School had a rocky start. For the first four years, during which time the name transitioned to “The Connecticut Agricultural School”, numerous newspaper editorials and stories predicted a poor future for the school. Local farmers and townspeople doubted the need for it and many state legislators considered it to be a waste of money. This week, we’ll take a look at the school’s early years as presented in newspaper stories, editorials and columnists’ opinions. In the 1880s “The Hartford Courant” had a regular “Agricultural Matters” column. In July, 1881, the columnist wondered, “What is the Storrs farm school to be? Lots of people are curious to know”. He went on to say that, from the beginning, the teachers, the curriculum and the students must be “bent and shaped” for farming purposes. “We already have schools enough of the other sort.”  The writer was referring to a what had happened at other schools offering an agricultural program – that students who originally went to learn about farming ended up in other occupations. The Storrs brothers and their family were well-known for their generosity to Mansfield and Augustus was considered to be an excellent agriculturalist. Several articles were written about the work he had done in improving his property and how he had, at great expense, reclaimed the land. (It should be noted that even though Augustus Storrs had given 160 acres of land to the state, he still had farm property contiguous to that site.) There was no doubt, at least at the beginning, that, “In all agricultural matters Mr. Storrs has shown great interest and his gift to the state was with the intention of elevating the agriculturist.” Yet, as early as in May, 1881, months before it actually opened, the school itself was referred to by some papers as “Mr. Storrs’ elephant”. In July, 1881, “The Chronicle’s” Mansfield correspondent wrote, “It is surmised that our agricultural school commences soon. I don't believe it will do a power of good in this place, and who will be benefited by this school will remain to be seen. I believe a man brought up on a farm will make as good a farmer as the one educated at this school… But believing as I do, I would not say a word to hinder the success of our agricultural school. Let them try it if they wish to.” “The Hartford Times” was probably the only newspaper that had a positive outlook for the new school. A reporter went to Mansfield and wrote a lengthy story about the proposed school, the Storrs family, the property and what was being planned. The school’s second year began on September 28, 1882 with only 16 students. (Today’s photo shows the first graduating class in 1883).  Editorials in several papers appeared to be in agreement that the teachers at the school were able men but the trustees were seen as putting little energy into advancing the school and that, “The trouble is with the board of trustees, who, with perhaps two or three exceptions, know nothing of practical or theoretical farming”. In January, 1883 Governor Harrison, in his annual address, said that the school was “in feeble condition” and “in the second year of its struggling infancy”. He hoped that the Assembly would consider a larger grant for the school.   “The New London Day” said, ”If the governor had spoken his mind concerning the institution he would probably have recommended that the state wash its hands of it. The board of officers who have it in charge are no doubt firmly convinced of its merit, but the general impression is that it is about as useless as the fifth wheel to a coach, and the sooner it is allowed to expire, the better”. “The Chronicle” followed up in February, saying in part, “The Storrs’ Agricultural school should be abolished. It don’t amount to shucks and never will. Where is the good in expending thousands of dollars on this institution with less than twenty scholars.” In April, the Connecticut House of Representatives was presented a resolution to appropriate an additional $5,000 to the school. This engendered a lively, rancorous debate with some legislators attacking the school, others supporting it. However, the resolution passed. Nevertheless, as the school’s fourth year opening approached, the tide began to turn in its favor. More students were enrolling and, as “The Chronicle” stated, “Our farmers are gaining in confidence in the institution and many of them having boys contemplate educating them at the School.” These were a good signs but would lead to a new set of problems. We’ll look at them next week.