Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-05-28
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE.

A bill was passed at recent session
of the legislature, which provides for
two schools of agriculture in the state.
The idea is primarily, that of L. d.
Harvey, of Madison, superintendent of
public instruction, though he borrowed
the same from the agricultural schools
of Sweden, Denmark, Germany and
France in which countries they have
been conducted with wonderful success.
Mr.. Harvey's idea is to establish ele-
mentary schools Oh agriculture and
domestic economy on the same basis as
that of the Marathon County Training
School for Teachers. His thought is
that no elaborate display is necessary
to begin with but that the schools
should grow into what the conditions of
a county should demand. 1t is set
tied that Dunn county win have one of
the above mentioned schools and the
other can be had by Marathon county
if an effort is made soon in that direc-
ton. Supt. Harvey has the placing of
this school and during the past week
was in Wausau ascertaining if there
was a desire to have it here; he
found a sentiment in that direction
among those to whom he presented the
idea, but he could not readily reach the
representative farmers of county, so he
decided TO go home and come here
again next week and lay the matter
before the county board which will
then be in session. As before stated,
the school is for purpose of giving far
mer's children elementary instruction
in practical agriculture and domestic
economy, The state appropriation for
each school is $4,000 a year and the
county in which school is placed will!
also have to appropriate like amount
80, 500. The yearly expense of such
school will not exceed the appropria-
ton, in fact it is the idea of Mr.. Harvey
not to start with more than from three
to five acres of land, which will be all
that is wanted to make the necessary
experiments. Neither is it designed
that expensive buildings should be
erected, but the school can be started
in small way and enlarged as the
wants of the county shall demand.
1t is provided that the school shall be
in charge and managed by a board OF
three members, consisting of the coun.
ty superintendent of schools and two
to be elected by the county board. The
question is now, whether Marathon
county wants the school or not. The
PILOT is of the opinion that there should
be no hesitancy IN the matter, but, rath
er every exertion should be put forth
to secure it. 1t is bound to develop
into an institution that will be of great
worth to this and surrounding counties
The care and management of the schoo
should be placed in the hands of good
level-headed men of our county, who
will follow out the ideas as laid dowr
by Supt. Harvey, which are to star
small and grow as the eXigency of the
school require it.
Our legislators, and especially Sena
tor A. L, Kreutzer has given this matter
much attention and was very active il
securing the passage of the bill. Mr.
Keutzer has agreed to furnish the lab
oratory, should the county secure the
school, which is indeed, very gener
Gus offer.
In the way of Il suggestion, the PILo1
has this to offer: The land for such 6
school can, no doubt, be had as a gift
from some of the real estate owners OF
the city or county and the school could
be so constructed so as to accommodate
both the Marathon County Training
School for Teachers and the School oil
Agriculture.
The PILOT will have more to say upon
this question in its next issue.