The evening times., 1896-11-12
FATHER OF FARM SCIENCE
Senator Morrill, Meets Agri-
cultural College Men.
WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION
Commissioner Harris Discusses the
Course of Study for Agricultural
Colleges and Makes Some Sugges-
tions as to Farm Life-Officers of
College Association Chosen.

The convention of Agricultural College
and Experiment station Workers began It's
closing da this morning with the considera-
ton OF reports OF committees.
The most important or these was upon the
course OF study from the committee whlch
has been studying the subject since 1891
There was an Interesting discussion Dr.
william T. Harris, Commissioner of Edu-
cation, was present and made an addrress
upon his report. He said, in part:
THE farmer boy wants to make up for
his isolation on the farm by studying foreign
languages and customs. Therefore we
find a large amount given up TO these sub
jects. In this way he will fortify himself
against the W eakness that comes Iromisola-
ton.
The shrewd business man in the city
now corners wheat and fixes the price.
He goes down The country and tells the
farmer what he will give for his crop and
the farmer has not strength TO contend.
He accepts"
DR. Harris said he was pleased with the
program outlined by the report.
The Agricultural College he continued
occupies u unique position in the educa-
tional system OF the United States. 1t
reaches out 10 the bright boys on the farms
as no other does.
purpose of the college ought to be to
help the farmer to market his crop. For
it seemed to him there was where the
present farmer is lacking.
The college ought to teach men how to
gather and put up their crops and get them
to market as to receive the best prices.
MAKE BUSINESS MEN.
The colleges ought to produce captains
of industry. The man with directive power
ought to be the product to whichthe energies
OF teaching shUuid be turned.
He found the agricultural colleges tend
ing toward the mechanic arts Boys coming
to the colleges tend toward the mechanical
studies one reason was that mechanics had
been more fully reduced to a peda gugtc
form. As agricultural science came To be
reduced more fully to forms for teaching a
change in this regard might be expected.
From an examination of statistics DR.
Harris said the farmers were getting smaller
pay than the ma nufacturer nd was able TO
pay better wages. He also found that as
the population moved from the farm and
more machinery was used ON the farm the
farmer was aking more money.
He suggested that IL would be well If some
mechanical Industries, such a. the old-tiIne
weaving, etc, ought TO be found enabling
the farmer to employ profitably the cold
weather. when operations outdoors are at
standstill.
The report of the committee was then
adopted.
4 ne pTOpOsdl OF BtputN tDIlllnls>iuitE
Hamilton of Pennsylvania, to ask the Sec
retary of Agriculture to print series OF
agricultural books, was indorsed by vote.
Senator NORTH, the father of>agricultural
college work, at this point came into the
hall. and was received by the whole con
vention rising as q mark OF respect and
applauding heartily as he walked up the
aisle.
The committee in charge ofuan reported
in favor OF the title: The Association OF
Colleges of Agriculture. Mechanic Arts
and Experiment Stations"
SENATOR MORRILL, SPEAKS
A vote was taken. showing a ma ajority
in fayor Of the new name, points Of order
We're made. and the whole matter was re-
ferred 10 the evening session. This was
done in order TO give an opportunity 10
hear Senator Morrill,. He said the col
leges and experimental stations appeared
all TO be in tolerably prosperous condi-
ton He was present To sec his friends
of thirty years ago, when the work was
inaugurdted. He knew no changes in the
colleges TO suggest
Resolutions asking the Secretary of Agri-
culture to publish a revised edition Of the
handbook Of experiment station work were
adopted.
tons was made and the ballot was cast
electing officers as follows:
President, George I. Farchild of Kansas
| secretary. John H WashburD "f Rhode
| Island; and a long list of vice presidents anC
an executive committee. Director A. C
| True of the Washington station was made 3
| member OF both these bodies
The convention then took a recess tC
4 shake hands with Senator Morrill,, go q
| the National Hotel, where they were 10
meet fraternally the members OF the Ma
| tional Grange. and in turn go to the White
| House for a reception by President Clcve-
| Land.
| The afternoon VIII be devoted to meetings
| Of the sections, and tonight the business OF
| OF the sections, and tonight the business OF
the convention will he wound up and final
| adjournment reached. A place and time
| of meeting next year are yet to be chosen
| and the question of name is to be settled