The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-04-17
PROF. CORDETT
Writes Entertainingly of a New
Feature
In Connection with Agricultural Ednca.
ton in the University.

In Connection with Agricultural Educa-
tion in the University.
Prof. Corbett is an extremely active
and wide awake educator and is max
ing great efforts to set the work done
along agricultural lines in the Uni
versity fully before the people of the
State. A statement just given out
by him will be read with interest by
many persons. 1t is as follows:
A new feature has recently been
added to the agricultural courses Of
fered at the University. Formerly a
student had his option between the
full four years course leading to a de-
gree, and single years. work, en-
bracing the more practical teachings
of the science Of agriculture, horticul-
ture, botany and entomology. This
one year course was not recognized
either by certificate or diploma. The
new plan is togive certificate for work
done in these shorter courses. The
course which extends over a full year
will be very helpful to young persons
contemplating starting a fruit place
or building up dairy interest; beside
this, it is further proposed to abridge
and condense the work of the course
to twelve weeks during the winter, to
aid practical farmers, fruit COVERS and
dairymen. This short winter course
is planned for the benefit of West vir-
ginia boys and girls who usually have
leisure at that time of year.
This movement is in direct accord
with the work now carried on by the
most successful agricultural institu-
tions of this country.
Previous to the Inauguration of such
courses at Cornell University, her stu
dent roll was very small, but to-day,
after ten years experience with the
briefer course, she holds the foremost
rank among the agricultural institu-
tions of the United States What has
been said of Cornell is equally true
of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Penn
vania.
The natural conclusion from all this
that if West Virginia is to compete
in agriculture and horticulture with
these states, her young men and wo-
men must do as those of the aforesaid
states are doing. AS regards the
courses offered at the West Virginia
University, they are on par with
those of any of the institutions above
named. The peculiar geographical
situation of West Virginia places her
in the relation of port Of entry to
the great cities of the east, as well
as those of the west. This, together
with her increasing manufacturing
population which is constantly making
better home markets, renders it still
more imperative for our people to turn
more and more their attention to the
growing of vegetables and fruits to
supply the home as we'll as the not
distant city markets.
1t is hoped that every person inter-
ested in the development and advance
ment Of our home Industries will give
this matter careful consideration. The
educational institutions are for the
people of the state. They are for all
the people, not select few. This is
day of intense competition and spe-
cializing, and whether we prefer the
farm, the shop, or the counting house,
let us prepare our ourselves as thor
oughly as possible for our life work.
The idea that any one can be a
farmeris rapidly losing ground in the
face OF the present competition. There
is no PROFESSIONAL life which requires
such careful Judgment and knowledge
of so many and such varied subjects
as that of profitable agriculture. A
person cannot intelligently and eco
nomically feed his team unless he
knows the law governing the require
ments of the system of an animal I'M
der various conditions of age and
work. Then, the rational mode of
maintaining the fertility of our farm
depends upon the most judicious use
of our farm products and coarse
foods
These are but hints at the variety OF
the problems to be met by every care
full cultivator of the soil.
The University offers to-day at very
small cost, the same course in Fores-
try, Horticulture and Agriculture so
eagerly sought for in the larger COL
leges and universities, 1t has been
said that the coming man is he that
can make two blades of grass grow
where only one grew before. Special
training is what he demands.
l.. G. CoRBETT,
Professor of Agriculture, w. V. U.