The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-01-02
CONCLUDED IRON PAGE II

called educ AEors into whose hands they
fell. More WidespFead education amoDP
farmers, and the demand Of populsI
sentiment are compelling many oil
thess ns5itutions TO make an hopear
eff Jrt TO inset the demand for full
recognition Of the agricultural depart
ments in these 'land grant" colleges
The Old idea thRt there was no demand
for higher agricultural education Is
forever explod ed, and all the Invidious
class distinction hat once existed
among the students Of agricultural
science and the classics has departed,
educators having come to the conclu
sion that it is more important to be
able to intelIigently deaf with the PROP
lens of the present than to vase LIES
energies kicking up the dry dust
around the Oatacombs of Rome.
When we attempt 20 account for the
slim attendance as our ''laud grant"
colleges, we are forced to the conclu,
sion that it Is largely, il not wholly
because the men who have directed
and controlled the destinies Of these in
situations have been entirely out OF
sympathy with the men who have
mud on their boots or hayseed In their
hair, many of whom have not hesita ed
to show their contemEt tor everything
connected with agriculture. We re
joice to know thas a wholes' ma change
is G. ming over the spirit of the dreams
of some of thsse would-bs teachers OF
future farmers.
Agricultural colleges have not been
successful because their advantages
have not been male known, while
every possible means and expense is
resorted to that can in any way mag
nifty other departments OF these land
grant" universities, and but little { Fl }rt
lie made to induce students to take the
agricultural courses. Another reason
why farmers colleges have not been
popular was the length Of the course,
the su' acts rec ured to be studied and
the IF re TO m axe all siH % and shapes
Of pegs &c the same hole.
The elective system which now pre-
walls TO a greater or less extent in many
of the modern cllleges and universities
has done much c change old condi
tions. A student who elects sur cts
in which he ia especially Interested,
which are congenial, for which he has
some special aptitude and which he
expects will be Of great practical value
to him through life, will make much
better progress, will become more pro
f1cient and altogether get more benefit
than il cou fined to courses not afford
ing such interest and 81 enlargement.
The present policy of libsrality toward
the agricultural colleges is meeting a
hearty response in their increased at
tendance
OUTLINE OF An DEA AGRICULTURAL
It's sessions eh0uld continue through
the year and De divided into four terms,
beginning the first of October, Janu-
airy, april and July. Ali the courses
Of study should be arranged to begin
October LIST CT January 1st, and con
tinue for one term. All theoretical
and class room work should be- done
during the Elk months from October 1st
to April 1. Toe remaining six months
should bs devoted to practical opera
tons, either on the college farm under
competent in 'trucTors, or at the stu
dents home. The college farm should
be Iun as a business enterprise, and
every student paid for LABOR, at the
usual price paid for the same class of
lie hor on n~eiRhOoriDg farms By TIL.
means young msn would be able TO pay
part OF all their expenses willis at5snd
ing college, aud at he same tIm9 re-
oeive the incalculable osnef5 from ID
ing thin q" with their own hands.
This school sh )uld be located on a good
farm, and not De made in any sense a
side show to a classical college or uni
versity. The time OF the Instructors,
during the six summer months, could
be taken up in directing the farm
operations and in experiment station
work S)ms of this kind of work
would do many OF the instr uctors no
harm We have only briefly stated
the central idea OF an i1eal agricultural
college, aud shall leave il for. future
elaboration.