Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1878 [PAGE 128]

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128 Boards of agriculture, and agricultural associations, state and county, are invited to co-operate with the University in its efforts to awaken a more general appreciation of the value of education, and to add, by t h e establishment of scholarships or other means, to the number of those who avail themselves of its facilities for instruction.

INSTRUCTION.

The instruction unites as far as possible, theory and practice—theory explaining practice and practice illustrating theory. The technical studies are mainly taught by lectures, with careful readings of standard agricultural books and periodicals, and frequent discussions, oral and written, by the students, of the principles taught. These are also illustrated by demonstrations and observations in the fields and stables, not only of the University, but of leading farmers and stock-growers in the vicinity.

TECHNICAL STUDIES.

Elements of Agriculture.—Outline of the general principles underlying agriculture in its theory and practice, introductory to the other technical and scientific studies of the course. Agricultural Engineering and Architecture.—Arrangement of the farm ; its improvement by mechanical means, as drainage and irrigation ; its divisions, fences, hedges, etc. ; its water supply; the construction of roads ; arrangements, planning and construction of farm buildings ; the construction, selection, care and use of farm implements and machinery. Animal Husbandry.—Principles of breeding and management of our domestic animals; descriptions of all important breeds and varieties, giving their history and adaptations. Rural Economy.—Relations of agriculture to other industries and to national prosperity; influences which should determine the class of farming to be adopted; comparisons of special and general systems ; uniting of manufacturing with farming ; culture of the various farm crops—cereals, grasses, etc. History of Agriculture.—Progress and present condition in this and other countries. Influence of climate, civilization and legislation in advancing or retarding. Agricultural literature and organizations. Rural Law.—Business law ; laws especially affecting agriculture— tenures of real estate ; road, fence, drainage laws, etc. Laboratory Work.—Experiments and special investigations by each student. A thesis is required embodying the results of this work.

VETERINARY SCIENCE.

In veterinary science, the lectures are given by a graduate of the schools of veterinary science in both Edinburgh and London. This science is taught during the third year. In the first term the anatomy and physiology of the domestic animals will be taught by lectures, demonstrations and dissections. Post-mortems of healthy and diseased