New-York tribune., 1903-04-09
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.
Secretary Wilson Seeking to Have Element
ary Principles Taught in the Schools.

Washington, april 8 (speciaD.-Forty young
women students in the District OF Columbia Normal
School their corneliness enhanced by the large
ginghan aprons which enveloped them, their faces
beauing as they listened with rapt attention to an
impromptu lecture on elementary agriculture deiv-
cred by Secretary Wilson. was the pleasing picture
which greeted representative of The Tribune to-
day when he entered the little greenhouse in the
department grounds which is especially set aside for
the use OF the pupils of the Normal School.
The eoquence with which the Secretary elaborated
his simple propositions and the marked attention
which was given his explanations furnished in
disputable evidence that Secretary Wilson was not
only of his subject but enthusiast in
his profession and born teacher as well, and IN
the little incident clearly discernble the cause
of the exceptional energy and enthusiasm which
he has infused into his entire department
The classes of normal students, of young
men, the other OF young women, which attend the
lectures elementary agriculture and experiment
in the tiny greenhouse placed at their disposal con-
stitute E concrete illustration of system which is
regarded by Secretary Wilson one of the most
essential features in the development OF the educa
tional methods Of the country The Secretary deems
it Of the utmost importance to the agricultural
future the United States that pupils, especially
in the rural districts, should have an opportunity
in the primary grades Of becoming familiar with
the first principles of agriculture.
Under the conditions prevailing in most Of our
schools" says Mr.. Wilson, 'the pupil whose aspira-
tions lead him to seek the higher education is
almost invariably led to pursue paths other than
that of agriculture, and result the best minds
in our agricultural communities are constantly be-
ing diverted to professional careers which compel
their abandonment of the farm This is a grave
defect in the system, and one that can De easily
reneded By the teaching Of elementary agriculture
in the primary schools and following 1t up with
opportunities which will enable the student 10 III
himself for one of the many excellent agricultural
colleges which are fast being estaollshed through
out the country
Some effort has already been made along the
lines indicated with a view to preparing students
for entry into the agricultural colleges. IN New
York system of university extension courses mas
been established Alabama has estaoIshed an
agricultural school every Congress district, Tor
the maintenance of each of which the State appro-
PIRATES 800 annually Missouri has made some
progress by establishing a summer school OF aer1-
culture for teachers and pupils IN the normal
but yet this does not even prepare suuTIs i LOT
ratrtculat ton al any agrcuitGPal o9I5egG " love
For the science OF agriculture ana simultaneously
prepare pupils for the, .agricgiturra! colleges py
The great end for which Secretary Wilson is
M s IA St prneipies OF agricultural science
ali the pupils in the schools OF & 1ne ~ t5d sacSra ne
irstrcton in the science Of agriculture OF all per-
sons preparing themselves to teach soro+.-,, hoe
Dreached far and Vide and which he is attempting
10 nculeate by exaP PIE sS dens S OF the District OF
Columbia Normal School to take adVantase OF the t
,s wi+bin his power to place at their disposal The
earnestness with which these young people nave ave
e4PTsiee n With Which they pursue the study is
he occasion @ q the he beeTes deonsrae beyond
Souht that If the educational authorities OF eacn
sI 1nnis thew viii have little difficulty in secqr-
ing teachers amply capaoie 81 and as re-
g1it win secure an abundance Of pupils for Their
agricultural colleges VIII an methods Of their
sections