Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-09-24
FALL CONVOCATION.
DR.. True Makes Fine Plea for
Agricultural Interests.

New Science of Agricultural Great
Work Being Done By Experiment
Stations Head ofPiano Department
Makes Big Hit-Prof. Spence Re-
ceiYes 0yation-Dean Wrightson
Warmly Received.
The University was formally open
ed for the year last night by the con-
vocation exercises which were held in
Commencement Hall. The ball was
we'll filled, scarcely seat being emp
ty. The exercises had features OF I'M
usual interest
DR.. A. G True, of Washington, d.
c., delivered the address of the even
ing His subject was agriculture
In the University" He is director of
the Agricultural Experiment Stations
in the United States, and is perhaps
the best authority in America on the
subject he was asked to discuss.
In introducing DIR. True, DR.. Pur-
inton said he feared the importance
OF the department Of agriculture in
the University had been overlooked,
and that the study OF the subject
had been neglected. Last winter, the
Legislature had given an additional
$4,000 for the work, and hereafter
the department would get a just share
of attention.
DR.. True took some pains to define
the functions of a University in soei-
ETY. as it is organized at present. In
the old world universities, the idea OF
caste was still prominent. In the
United States, where We studied the
pursuits OF peace, rather than those
of war, this was lost to great extent,
but some of the old prejndices remain
ed, and there were those who still re-
gard theology, law and medicine as
the only learned professions Accord
ing to the new idea, the function OF
the University is to train every man
for that which he is best fitted to do.
The quicker the feeling Of priggish ex-
elusiyeness in learning was swept
away by the cyclone blasts of Chris
tian civilization, the better.
Agriculture, Dr. True continued, is
one OF the great fundamental indus
tries, on which depend the safety of
the human race. la the United States
alone, $50, 900, 900 acres of land in
over 5000, 900 farms onwhieh 40, 000,-
600 people live, and which give EN-.
ployment. to over 10, 600, 600 men, are
devoted to it. These farms represent
a value Of $40, 900, 900, 600. with an
annual product valued at S., 900, 000,-
600.
Only recently, the Science of Agri-
culture had been built up, and its
many branches, had been reduced to a
sound pedagogical basis. The expert
ment stations of the United States
and the Agricultural colleges were
doing great work. The University Of
Illinois was cited as an example. The
college OF agriculture had been reor-
ganized on modern basis, and the
number Of students had increased
from II to 283 in four years. Hun
dreds OF young men were being taught
practical, profitable farming.
DIR. rrue's address was one of the
most scholarly ever heard in Common
cement Hall. 1t was of deep interest
to all who are in any way interested
in agriculture. The subject was
handled in mastery manner, and
The address might very profltably be
issued as one Of the Stations next bull
letins.
The music of the exercises was re-
ceiyed in notable manner. Prof
Spence appeared for the first time since
last summer, and was given flatter-
ing ovation. His violin solo was
greeted with burst of enthusiastic
applause, that did not stop until he
played an encore.
Prof. Rudolf Wertime scored heavi-
ly at this, his first appearance in Nor
gantown, Although the most flatter-
ing reports Of his artistic gifts had
preceded him, his performance of
that work OF genius, the Chopin Bal
lade of SO, as we'll as of the charming
Liebes WaltZ-by Moszkowski, had
scarcely prepared his audience for
such display of technical equipment
and permanent. The Liebes Waltz,
a bit of Moszkowski 10 his happest
vein. was given with exquisit charm
and abandon, despite its bristing
pianistic difficulties. The tone was
clear, limpid, and warmly, is
tempted to say insinuatingly--bea
full, so quietly did it creep in upon the
delighted senses of his hearers: and at
times it possessed volume and carry
ing power that gave promise Of better
things to come. Sure enough, the
enormous demands In the way OF
breadth and dignity of tone made by
the Ballade, the Choir is5seem heaped
up ia places as if the master had care
lessly thrown in a few more for good
measurcment-wer fully satisfied,
while the arti seemed still to have
power in reserve 10 the insistent
demands furan encore, Mr.. Wertime
responded with Gavotte by d'hlbert
which favored splendid vehicle for
the display of some delightful tone
ci,l1ring as well as massive chord eff
fects in the magnifice climax.
We hasten to congratulate the
School of Music upon the acquisition
OF an artist of such merit and attain
ments and predict that when the op-
portunity 10 study under pianist OF
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