The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-03-05
No. 4

the elementary principles of the theory
OF agriculture, such as composition of
matter, of soils, of plants, of manures.
of fertilizers; about plant food in soil.
farm drainage, preparation of land for
crops, cultivation of crops, about live
stock, &c. Work and contact with
the experimental farm, college herds,
creamery and gardens, illustrate what
is taught, and gives even these begin.
ners a good idea of improved and pro-
gressive agriculture and horticulture.
The college course is four years in
length-English, mathematics and
other studies run through the four
years, and by gradual advancement
build up the liberal culture, enabling
students to comprehend and to master
the sciences related to agriculture,
and already enumerated In this article.
Great stress is laid on English and
mathematics, and they are thoroughly
taught, and their practical use fully
brought out to be in line with the
practical illustrations in other studies.
Besides the sciences strictly under
lying Or related to agriculture, horti-
culture and agriculture are also taught,
both as science and art, applying in
the different classes, want is learnedin
the related sciences, and as they be-
come applicable. To go more into
detail, the Freshman class is taught
six months mainly about the charac-
teristics of all kinds of stock breeds,
and care of, about butter making, and
such studies, about the management
and care of gardens, manures, plant
ing, grating, &C., which are taught by
lecture and textbook, and practically
demonstrated on the farm and gar.
dens. This, too, in connection with
their other studies, English, algebra,
philosophy, drawing, geometry, his.
tory, bookkeeping, &c.
So I might go on and illustrate for
the Sophomore class, which is thor
oughly taught chemistry in we'll
equipped laboratory, three months
theoretically, and six months, two
hours a day, at desk with practical
work with blow pipe, reagents and
other adjuncts necessary in analysis.
They are also taught surveying to
enable them to use the instruments,
and to work in the field In agricul-
ture, the principles of drainage, cult
walton, tile laying, use and care of
farm implements.
The Junior and Senior classes, as
they still further advance in liberal
culture and the knowledge of anatomy,
physiology, drawing, veterinary sci
ence, botany entomology, agricultu-
raj chemistry, and such studies, are
instructed on the more difficult prob
lens of breeding, management and
treatment of sick animals, garden,
nursery, and orchard economy, vari-
eties for different soils, pruning and
training of trees, farm economy, values
of different nutritive rations for feed
ing for butter, milk, or beef, compo-
sition Of manures, values of different
foods, manures, farm buildings, &C.,
in fact, thorough application of all
the sciences related to agriculture.
The studies are illustrated by stu
dents working on the well-equipped
farm, with crops, cattle, improved ma
chinery-in the creamery and dairy,
in managing feeding experiments; as
an illustration, the Senior class man
age many of the feeding experiments
connected with the Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station, which is depart
ment of the College, having learned
the sciences theoretically, knowing
what is wanted from the experiments,
they do the practical work, and make
the application.
1t is claimed that the College is do
ing it's work in accordance with the
spirit of the State law. Is not only
giving good practical education,
suited to the masses, but also scien-
tifc and practical knowledge of agri-
culture and horticulture, also of the
proper growth and care of stock, with
out, however, excluding other scien,
tifc and classical studies, including
military tactics. AS explained, the
mechanical department cannot be
established till the Legislature pro-
vides money to erect shops for wood
and iron, and to equip them. The
military feature runs through the
College, as required by both Federal
and State laws, but is kept secondary
to the industrial features of the Col
lege. Military discipline is the disci-
line of the College, and is administered
by an officer of the United States
Army, under the supervision of the
President.
Combination will be useless if we
raise poor product by antiquated