Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1907-03-09
FIRST COLLEGE IN COW STABLE
Dean Henry Does Much "for AgricuI-
ture at Wisconsin u"

Seldom has a change occurred in
university faculty more regretted than
resignation of Dean w. A. Henry, orig
inator and successful builder of the
University of Wisconsin college of ag-
riculture, which took place this week.
A before and after" picture of the
work of Dean Henry at Madison would
present a wonderful contrast. He be-
gan with one building, a simple COW
stable, wherein was tied an ordinary
specimen of the bovine species. Even
that was not before" because before
Dean Henry came, twenty-seven years
ago, there was no such thing as
Wisconsin college of agriculture.
The old COW stable was the begin
ming of the school. Now the institu-
ton has grown to such numbers and
so wide influence as to form one OF
the most important and popular de-
partments of the states educational
system Almost every farm in WIS
consin enjoys the blessings of dlscov-
les and new methods originated under
the eye of Dean Henry. And there is
no agricultural people in the Worlo
who have not heard either OF W. A.
Henry or Of the great agricultural edu-
Gators and scientists whom he has
gathered around him as faculty.
Both in lines of practical education
and in scientific research he has been
wonderfully successful and has main
tanned a balance of freedom from eX-
tremes that has made his work the
more effective. The boys come from
the farm and are taught by books, by
lectures, by scientific demonstrations
and finally by application of the prln-
ciple Zone learns to do by doing.
They learn the scientific method or
building fences, barns and outoullu-
ings, and they are put to work to 90
it themselves.
While the state rejoices in the prac'
tical educational work accomplished
by Dean Henry and in the estabhSn-
ment throughout the commonwealth
of a wholesale appreciation of the val
lie of AGRICULTURAL education, his great
est achievements have been due to the
devotion of generous portions OF the
time of his faculty subordinates to
scientific research. Dean Henry gath
cred about him the best scientists
available: set them to work teaching
part of the time and then told them,
Co make what discoveries you can
that will make easier the way or the
tiller of the soil; find out how to make
two blades of grass thrive where one
hitherto has existed; contribute SOhle-
thing to the state and nation that Will
add to the return of the farmer for
his toll" Thus for twenty-seVen years
Dean Henry labored until age mas
come upon him and the regents or inc
university granted his request that ne
be relieved of his work, but only atter
he had assented to become professor
emeritus and had promised to give as
much effort to the university as healtn
and strength would permit.
Two names are mentioned proml-
nently among a score Of possible sue
cessors. Ransome A. Moore, professor
of agronomy, known the world over lot
his discovery of the formula for pre-
ventiOn of oat smut, is said to be a
leading possibility. He is young, Wig
orous has made many valuable conCrl-
buttons to agricultural knowledge ana
is one of the most widely known and
most popular men of the state. his
governments resulting in an effective
preventive Of smut in oats, has saved
farmers millions of dollars in yield
end quality Of crop, and he mas also
done most valuable work in pertectlng
new varieties of seeds for farm PROD
ucts. Prof S. NJ. Babcock, inventor OF
the famous Babcock milk test, doubt
less would become dean were it not
that he is DESTROYS Of enjoying some
rest from a long life of close attention
to instruction and research WORK. An
other name mentioned is Prof. II. H.
Russell bacteriOlogist of Wisconsin
A son Of Dean Henry has a hne
neach orchard in Connecticut, ana
here. in most congenial SURROUNDINGS
will be spent the greater part OF Dean
Henry's remaining years. He hopes
to accomplish good deal OF literary
work and conduct some agricultural
and horticultural experimentatlons, put
will remain in fairly close touch WIN
the Wisconsin college of agriculture.
William Arnon Henry was born IN
Norwalk, Ohio, June 16, 1850. After
spending his early life on the farm
and attending a country school he oe-
came a student at Ohio Wesleyan uni
versity. Before completing his course
he was principal of the high school at
New Haven Ind, and afterwards at
Boulder, Colo In 1876 he entered
Cornell university, from which he was
graduated four years later with the
degree Of bachelor of agriculture
Since coming to the university IN 1851
Dean Henry has been closely 1denu-
fed with the agricultural interests OF
the state and has taken an active part
in all movements calculated to I'M
prove the conditions Of agriculture IN
Wisconsin, Under his dictatorship
have been published up to the present
time twenty-three annal reports of the