The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1872-06-27
STATE AGRICULTURAL COL
LE0E.

Nature and ohjects-The New
Education and the Old One
Courses Of 0tudy-Nanual La.
Dor - IN 1ducator-Present
Status.
The State Agricultural College has
been In operation over three years,
and Ia now entering well upon its
fourth. In October, 1868, the institu-
tion was drsl opened for . term OF
twelve week.. which drew an attend
ance Of seventy-five. The first regu-
lar college was began in the middle OF
March, 1859, since which time It has
continued upon it, course with con-
tinued growth and prosperity unin-
terrupted and rapid.
Designing 70 furnish those who Pc
ruse the 4 bkeye with series Of ar
ticles upon the above institution, It
may not be uninteresting to give, at
the outset, sonething pseliminary on
the objects, nature, course Of instruc.
tion and general scope Of the Agricul-
tural College. In the writer 1t has
often provoked more than a smile to
hear, upon that topic, the conversation
Of many who were considered well In
formed citizens but It cannot, howev-
er, be matter Of surprise that . pro-
ject 80 novel, even in this age, should
be understood SO poorly.
The prime objects of the Agricul-
tural College are explicitly stated in
the Congressional grant which is the
hasis of all like industrial institutions !:
ITO teach such branches OF learn
Ing as are related to agriculture and
the mechanic arts In order TO promote
the liberal and practical education Of
the industrial classes In the several
pursuits and professions Of life."
1t will be seen at once that the plan
contemplated In the foregoing places
itself In almost direct hostility to all
preconceived theories of education.
rhe old classical system was too ex-
elusive and withdrew from behind
college and university walls to be en-
joyed only by the powerful and
wealthy. Besides, 1t disdained to be
useful. 1t offered nothing that could
be of avail to the industrial classes.
Indeed, the possession OF such an ed
ucation rather untitled man for any
of the active pursuits of life. 1t is not
here assumed that these time-honored
studies were valueless. They have
their own use and it il . high one
but 1t is also limited one. They are
behind the times and leave q severe
want in the place Of an intellectual
development
1t is to supply such need that the
Iowa Agricultural College was organ
lied together with others Of Its sort in
several parts of the country, aud it is
now chief among those who take the
van in disseminating the New Edu-
cation" What this new education"
IL, may be briefly stated. It deals
with the world around M. It pro-
but rather to teach knowledge for its
practical uses to teach that knowl-
edge of most benefit in the professions
Of those who toll 10 shop and field.
In short, it aims to give q training
demanded by the age. 1t
offers the mechanic, artisan, agricul-
and those classes hitherto ex-
cluded from college halls, a prepara-
tion that will 1T them to inves-
tigate any field of industry, psrticu-
larly In those sciences that have the
most intimate connection with the
physical comfort of the human spe-
cies (; to rear roofs. drain marshes. use
metals, and subdue our wild lands.
This IL the new education," aud
these its objects. Whether all these
things are to be accomplished in the
highest measure cannot be asserted.
We are full Of hope that they will,
and the prospect of the realization Is
surely bright.
The regular course Of study at this
institution covers period Of four
years. In conformity with the grant
before quoted, two general depart
ments have been organized, of equal
rank, one of Agriculture, and one of
Mechanic Arts. These two, in courses
of study, are identical for year aud q
half. The principal studies Of the
fist year consist In such as are mainly
subordinate to the higher branches Of
sciences; analysis, rhetoric, algebra,
geometry, English literature, German
physic, physiology, etc. During the
first term Of the second year, general
chemistry, botany, triganometry, sur
veying, plats and typographical maps,
preparation Of soils, management OF
crops.
The agricultural and mechanical
courses here separate. We go on with
the principal studies of the agricul-
tural. Analytical chemistry, agricul-
tural chemistry and analysis OF soils
and manures. ovcharding, landscape
gardening, farm engineering, farm
architecture. This. with minor stud
ies, takes US to the senior year. After
these, come comparative anatomy and
physiology, mineralogy and geology,
formation Of fsoil. forestry, market gar
dening, meterology, political economy,
psycology, constitutional law. Only q
genera! outline has been indicated.
Besides these, there are special courses
in horticulture, stock. k.breeding, and
nursery and orcharding.
The mechanical department includes
four courses: Civil engineering, me-
chanical engineering and architecture.
Throughout all these are many Of the
branches taught in the other course.
All the higher mathematics are in-
cluded, calculus, physics. mechanics,
railroad surveys. bridge building, ma
chinery, mine survey ying, metallurgy,
carpentry and masonry, history and
principles Of architecture, together
with such other studies as would nat.
urally accompany the course.
More than this, there is . ladies