New-York tribune., 1901-05-19
MAKING FARMERS.
DETAILS OF WORK IN PRACTICAL. HIS
LANDRY AS 1T IS TAUGHT IN THE
SCHOOL AT BRIARCLIFF MANOR


ihe school Of Practical Agriculture and Hort
01--tufe at Briarclif Manor. Y. Y. MAS opened
Oh Wednesday for its full seasons work. under
conGltl rs which give promise of q high degree
Oh success even thus early in its history. The
new school building has recently been completed
ana put in condition TO receive the tv saty-seyen
STUDENTS who Were enrolled before the openinc
cay The grounds are not yet graded. though
the work is Well begun. The school is situated
On hill overlooking one Of the loveliest bits of
scenery in Westchester County, and is near the
centre OF the farm Of sixty-six acres. which is
under the control OF the trustees of the school.
This farm, which is one Of the many which con-
stitute Briarclif Farms was given last year to
the Committee for the Promotion OF Agriculture
OF NewYork at a nominal rental for twenty
years, with an option of purchase at the end Of
that period at the price Of $500 an acre 1t
was completely run down and neglected when
the school was organized last September and
practical fall work was begun.
The original committee has been merged in
board Of trustees, and a weu equipped staff OF
Instructors has been employed, under the direc-
torship Of George T. Powell, who enters upon the
work with enthusiasm. 1t is our purpose" he
said. TO train our students in all the practical
operations Of the farm and garden and in the
science which the practice is based; 10 apply
intensive culture with a scientific knowledge of
soil tillage and the application of appropriate
plant foods. The pupils Will also be instructed
in the methods for the conservation Of food prod
ucts and the development Of special markets for
exceptionally fine goods"
Mr.. Powell appeared TO be pleased with the
run out" condition Of the farm which is TO be
the scene Of operations. The restoration Of old
worn out farms is one of the problems Of the
East and Middle West, and he viii show how it
can be solved. A short course Of four weeks in
nature study viii be conducted annually in July
and August for the benefit Of teachers and
others 1t is a singular fact that Of the students
entered this term only one comes from farm.
the others are from cities and large towns
A young woman has entered the school TO pre-
pare herself for running a greenhouse she
purposes purchasing a small farm large
city and raising flowers for city dealers. Th4
school already has a greenhouse 100 by Il feet.
and chance for practice is close at hand
The work OF the students is already apparent.
An old neglected apple orchard. which
would suppose was past recovery has been sci
entifically pruned, and Mr.. Powell thinks it VIII
still bear fruit; peach orchard has been set
out; gardens have been laid out and fields pre-
pared for tillage. 1t is hoped that George
NJ Clark's title Of Grass King" viii be wrested
from him.
The new school building is admirably adapted
TO its purpose. II contains lecture and class
rooms. library office and dining hall, and Is
fitted with all modern conveniences. Above are
sleeping rooms for the accommodation Of teach
ers and a limited number Of students. The
forenoon will be devoted 10 classroom and lect-
ure room work; the afternoon 10 labor IN the
farm. Each student VIII be required take part
in every operation and kind Of work that occur
during the course, in order to be able to under
take or to superintend such in after life These
viii include farm surveying and plotting COM
putation OF areas, road making and fencing till
ing soils, use and application Of fertilizers
manipulation Of implements. planting, cultivat-
ing, harvesting. storing and marketing farm.
garden, greenhouse and orchard crops improve