The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-26
THE PRACTICAL In EDUCATION.
The Work Which Purdue and Other lnstitu.
tions of Education Are Doing.

Twenty-Five years ago one would have
gone great way before he could find q
technical school in this country. and that
it would have been scarcely more than q
name. The one college was enough-more
than enough. Judging from their chronic
condition of poverty. In these the
dead languages were taught with ex-
actness. some mathematics, lntellec.
tual and moral philosophy, not enough
French and natural sciences to be
of any use and not enough of alleged polit-
ical economy to do any harm. The reclpi-
enrs of this So callel liberal education were
destined to be preachers. doctors, lawyers
and teachers OF the higher schools. If the
college output was in excess of the public
demand for the literally educated, as was
often the case. the surplus was useless
element in society. since 1t as untitled for
the vOcatl0ns outside the narrow limits
named, and to return to the ranks of trade
or industry was regarded as a reflection
upon their capacity.
but advancing civilization has opened
field for educated men and women. The
newly discovered physical forces which
have stimulated the civilization of to-day
have demanded wider liberal education
-One which will give the hands a fair
chance with the head. and makes dead lam
guages elective studIes. but the natural
sciences and their application the regular
cOurse-irom which no one can be excused.
During the past few years the catalogues
OF Indiana colleges contain an aggregate of
more Than double the number of students
thcy contained twenty years ago. Why is
thisf Because Indiana colleges for the
most part, have turned their attention to
the applied practical sciences. They have
become schools of technology, and are
turning out civil engineers. mechanical
engineers. electricians. scientific farmers,
as well as lawyers. hysicians and clergy.
men.
Take Purdue. It's geo students are fitting
themselves for positions which have been
croa ted In the development of the material
resources of the country. OF class of
f0rty.tw0 which graduated last year twen-
airy, twelve are taking special courses.
while only two women are without posi-
tions. and that is because they have not
sought them. In some respects Purdue is
one of the leading schools of technology in
the country. This is particularly the case
In regard to mechanical engineer
ing. The student. along with his
Lessons. has regular hours in the
shops. The instructor there is as
rigid as the professor in the recitation
room. The student Is put at work with
saws, lathes. chisels. etc. AS ne progresses
he is advanced to more complicated work.
he makes pattern for casting. takeslt to
the foundry, where be does the holding
forge. and Is Taught to manipulate iron and
steel, making it into shapes and perfecting
himself in Welding. As he progresses be
goes TO the machine shop and learns all
the processes When he is through with
the course he can make q model for sus-
pension bridge and euperinteDd the con-
structi0n. he can superintend the build
ing of locomotives and oil machines. step
by step. day by day. the brain. the hand
and the eye are educated together.
In the same manner civil engineering is
taught. Theory 10 wed 20 practice. In
agriculture. which has as much need of
scientific education any branch of IN
dustry, book" and practical farming are
united. The pupil begins with the ele-
ments of chemistry and applies it TO agri-
culture. At Purdue Is the experimental
station of the United States. and there the
student witnesses all the experiments
which. If applied by others, will vitalize
and redeem that which should be the first
of sciences from the present monotonous
routine of crops This year special courses
have been given which are open to
all at slight cost. There is great
deal To be done In Indiana to
make her acres as productive they can
be. 1t will be done when science. and bone.
and muscle unite. How many years back
TO the days when the Indiana farmer
sneered at drain tiiesf There is the prac-
teal science Of road building. Where can
IL be taught so we'll as In O school in which
engineering. drainage. the valne OF differ