The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-02-13
STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS.

ing with an A. B. at Amherst, took
the degree of Ph. D. in the German
University at Goettingen.
The class in physics is divided into
two sections, one composed of the
young ladies' in the Domestic Economy
course and the other of students in
the Agricultural and Mechanical
courses.
| The Domestic Economy course is
somewhat briefer than the other, as it
is only intended to treat simply of
those. laws of matter which will be of
practical use to the young ladies tax
ing that course, while the other is
more extended and gives general
idea of the subject of elementary
| physics. Particular attention is given
to those subjects which the student of
mechanics or agriculture is liable to
meet with in after life. The impor-
tance of this subject from an agricul-
tural standpoint is, that great many
problems which the farmer has to deal
with can be more understandingly
treated, if he has knowledge of ele-
mentary physics, since this treats of the
physics of the soil and the laws accord
ing to which machinery works.
At present home made apparatus
and such of the chemical apparatus
that can be employed is used for illus
tratlon.
By another year the department will
be better equipped, since $1,000 has
been set aside by che Board OF Regents
for the purchase of physical apparatus.
A special feature in the study of
chemistry is the laboratory work. A
new and larger laboratory is being
fitted up for the use of the class. It
is the object of this department to give
the student the requisite amount of in
struction in the subjects treated in such
a manner that he will be able to work
up subjects for himself, to give him
scientific methods, to make him orig
inai in his work and to do away as far
as possible with the idea of learning
things parrot like. By making the stu
dent depend on his own observation
all chance of mere repetition is exclud
ed, and at the same time his mind is
being so trained thai he will be able
to take up problems not laid down in
books and get facts for himself. The
objections to what is sometimes called.
book Learning are i'll this way intended
to be overcome.
The study of General Chemistry and
the Metalloids gives an understanding
of the composition and relations Of
elementary substances. The study of
Metallurgy includes talks on general
methods of reduction of the metals,
also work in the laboratory, from which
the student is expected to build up
system of quantative analysis of his
own.
A valuable help in this study is af-
fordsd by the cabinet of ores contain
ing about 200 specimens. Any speci.
mems of interest are gladly received by
the college.
The study of Chemistry of Common
Life deals with such subjects as the
name implies. The apparatus for stu
dents work is good and sufficient for
the work.
A gas machine supplies heat for the
laboratory.
The station work. consists of expert
ments on the farm, examinations of
mineral waters,. analysis of soils and
grains and other work belonging to this
department
The financial necessity of dispens-
| Wltil du dSSIStdIH Has 90 some eX-
tent lessened the amount of both COL
lege and station whork Which might
have been carried on
An idea of ths character of the Sta
ton work may be obtained from the
bulletins issued by the station. Bulle-
| tin No. gives the ANALYSIS Of fourteen
specimens of wheat, and of clay sup
posed to- be suitable for fire clay and
of rock thought to. possess properties
Eof cement. It also gives the methods
Of preparing soil or water to be sent to
the station for ANALYSIS.
( Rlle work in investigation of the
sugar beet problem for the state was
carried out as Far as practicable last
year and preparations are being made