Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-18
FARMING TAUGHT TO BOYS.
Brief Report Of the Experiment in the
Waterford, Penn, High School.

The first hish school in Pennsylva-
MIA TO take UP the study OF scientific
agriculture is that in Waterford, Erie
county. II is not only the FIRST in
Pennsylvania. but it is nearly the first
in the country. only one or two other
high schools having had these courses
when the Waterford High school took
up the work, Professor II. o, Samp-
son, of Marion City, Iowa. had charge
of organizing the agricultural course
in this school. He was thoroughly
prepared for the work, having taken
two degrees from the Iowa state col
lege at Ames. The manner IN which
no began and gained ON the work is
a credit both to him and to the school,
which was fortunate in getting him.
Professor Sampson had nothing to fol-
low as a guide. but had " pave u way.
to be followed by other similar insti-
tutions He endeavored to show the
students agriculture in its true sense.
he made a farm something more than
a place for mere toll and drudgery,
and he did this in a way that created
an enthusiasm on the part of the boys
for a deeper study.
From a small class roll at the be-
ginning and general lack Of interest.
he Increased II 10 60 per cent Of the
entire school attendance, and Inspired
the students so that they liked the
course better and better as the study
advanced He did this Ivy supplement-
ing the textbooks by frequent inter
esting lectures. in which he seemed to
make the student feel the reality of
the thought expressed.
Professor Sampson Is a born teach
er. and has a way with him that
keeps the students Interested and at
t0ched to their studies
There was little TO begin with; no
appropriate textbooks could he OBJ
tained on they were either too hard
or too simple Tor high school use. The
lack of interest among the students
also made II harder, but Professor
Sampson gradually oYercame these
difficulties and made good what was
lacking. He secured for the agrlcul
tural library the year books of the de-
partment of agriculture, farmers bull
letins and many farm weeklies that
prove helpful in keeping the students
posted on new and improved meth
DDS. The agricultural course is car
ried through the four years of the high
school course. The first year the boys
take UP the study Of plant life In gen.
eral; in the second year field, orchard
and garden crops are specialized; the
third year Is devoted to a study of do
mestic animals, their care and their
uses and the fourth year the chemis-
try of soils and OF plant and animal
life is studied.
The work is made as practical as
possible, the class apply the theo-
retlcal knowledge 10 practical outdoor
study as much as weather and time
permits. Students of the agricultural
classes are required to prepare and
Rad at class and at farmers meetings
special papers on interesting farm
topics. Professor Sampson organized
these farmers meetings. which are
held quite often in the high school
building, his plan being to get the
farmers more closely united into one
body and TO acquaint them with the
nature Of the agricultural course,
Perhaps If II had not been for Pro-
fessor Il. NJ. Mixer, principal Of the
high school, this agricultural course
would have had no beginning. He
persuaded the school directors to try
an experiments course and helped to
get the work started. He is with the
agricultural classes as much as con-
venlent and takes an active part In
them After a year OF experimental
teaching, Professor Sampson saw what
was needed and planned the present
course, which is serving RS model to
other high schools that have estab-
lshed an agricultural course since the
success OF the one at Waterford.
School boards from many different
states have written to Professor Samp-
son for his advice and the methods
pursued al Waterford.
Prof. d. Jarvis, graduate of the
University of Wisconsin. has charge
Of the work now, Professor Sampson
having accepted position With the
Bureau of Soils at Washington, ID. G,
Professor Jarvis continues the practi-
cal lessons and Is succeeding in keep
Ing up the lately aroused interest IN
state OF enthusiasm. New York Trib-
une.