Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1874-1875 [PAGE 27]

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School of Agriculture.

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has spent his life in farm labors, laughs at the notion of sending his son to learn them from a set of scientific professors. But all of this implies a gross misunderstanding of the real object of agricultural science. It is not to teach how to plow, but the reason for plowing at all — to teach the composition and nature of soils, the philosophy of plowing, of manures, and the adaptations of the different soils to different crops and cultures. It is not simply to teach how to feed; but to show the compositon, action and value of the several kinds of food, and the laws of feeding, fattening, and healthful growth. In short, it is the aim of the true Agricultural College to enable the student to understand thoroughly and profoundly, all that men can know about soils and seed, plants and animals, and the influences of light, heat and moisture on his fields, his crops, and his stock; so that he may both understand the reason of the processes he uses, and may intelligently work for the improvement of those processes. Not "book farming," but a knowledge of the real nature of all true farming—of the great natural laws of the farm and of all its phenomena—this is the true aim of agricultural education. And when it is recollected that agriculture involves a larger number of sciences than any other human employment or profession, it will not be regarded as an unfit end of a sound collegiate training.

INSTRUCTION.

It has been the steady aim to give to the College of Agriculture the largest development practicable, and to meet the increasing demand, the Trustees design to employ additional instructors the coming year. Agricultural students are specially invited. The instruction unites, as far as possible, theory and practice—theory explaining practice, and practice illustrating theory. The subjects are so arranged that those not requiring illustration upon the farm are taught in the winter, and sufficient educational labor is required in favorable weather to impress and illustrate the principles developed in lectures and recitations. In Veterinary Science the lectures are given by a graduate of the Schools of Veterinary Science in both Edinburgh and London. Sick animals are brought in from the neighborhood, and are treated free of charge, for the instruction of the classes.

APPARATUS.

The college has for the illustration of practical agriculture a large stock farm of 410 acres, provided with a large stock barn, fitted up with stables, pens, yards, cooking room, etc. See map, page 3 of cover, and description, page 19. It has also a fine stock of several breeds of neat cattle, embracing Short Horns, Devons, and Jerseys. Also several breeds of swine and sheep, to illustrate the problems of breeding and feeding. An Experimental Department, aided by a special appropriation, exhibits field experiments, in the testing of the different varieties and modes of culture of field crops, and in the comparison and treatment of soils, carried on at the University farm, where about sixty acres are devoted to this purpose, and at other points representing the different soils and climates of the state. It includes also experiments in horticulture and agriculture, under the direction of the Professor of Horticulture and of the Farm Superintendent, nnd experiments in feed-