Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1877-1878 Version B [PAGE 16]

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Illinois Industrial University.

that man can know about soils and seeds, 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 its phenomena—this is the true aim of agricultural education. Agriculture involves a larger number of sciences than any other human employment and cannot be regarded as an unfit end of a sound collegiate training. The steady aim of the trustees has been to give to the College of Agriculture the largest development practicable, and to meet the full demand for Agricultural education, as fast as it shall arise. Agricultural students are especially invited to the University. 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 the 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 ; arrangement, 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; description 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