The independent-reporter., 1909-12-09
FOUR WEEKS COURSE
At i. Of N.
DaIr, Ing and General Agriculture for
lnsy Men.


The College OF Agriculture of the
University of Maine In It's effort to
reach the greatest number OF people
With its instruction has. besides its
regular courses in agriculture. for
estry. and domestic science. been
conducting for the past few years
methods of instruction by means OF
which persons who are unable to
leave their home duties for great
length of time may have the oppor-
tunity to become informed on the
subjects pertaining to their own per-
sonal interests.
These methods have been varied so
as to suit the convenience OF as great
a number as possible. This work Is
largely under the supervision OF the
department of Extension OF the Col
lege of Agriculture. George K. Sim
mons, supervisor. The work offered
for this year is: Nine courses In cor
respondence; lectures and demon
strations before Oranges and meet
ings arranged for that purpose; CO.
operative experiments undertaken
through individuals and organiza-
tions; experimental gardens with
schools and school children; and the
following short courses-special poul-
try course, special domestic science
course, short course in horticulture,
Farmers Week and the short course
in dairying and agriculture.
The Purpose of the Short Course
It is offered specially for farmers,
creamery men, dairymen, and others
who cannot leave their business for
any great length of time but who
wish to become familiar with the lat
est and most approved practical
methods of farming. The work is ex-
tremely practical and is given in such
way that those who take the
course can put the principles learned
into practice on their own farms as
will be seen by the following state
ments of courses and the schedule of
the work to be given.
COURSES TO BE GIVEN.
Dairying-The entire afternoons of
the four weeks are given up to prac-
tice work In the creamery consisting
of Babcock testing, tests for acidity,
use of lactometer, and determination
of total solids, the ripening Of cream,
the operation Of separators, churns,
butter workers, the making Of butter,
and preparing 1t for market.
Breeds and Breeding Of Dairy Cat
tle.-Seven breeds Of cattle together
with grade animals make up the col
lege herd and offer exceptional op-
portunities for studying the different
types and breeds. Practice will be
given in judging and scoring as
means of selecting desirable animals.
Animal Nutrition.-A course of
eight lectures upon the chemical com
position of plants with especial ref
erence to their use as foods; the
study of the composition of the ami
NAL body and a consideration of the
manner in which feeds may most eco
nomically meet the needs of the ami
NAL.
Animal Feeding.-Rearing calves;
care of the cow at the time of par
turition, feeding for milk production,
composition of feeds, computing ra-
tions, and the general care and man
agement of the dairy herd.
Veterinary Science.-Lectures on
the anatomy and physiology of ami
mails. The diseases domestic animals
most commonly have,-the methods
of recognizing them, and their treat
ment.
Soil Management.-The maintaining
of and restoring lost fertility to the
land Treatment of run down" land.
Improvement of soils by drainage, ro-
tation of crops, tillage. and green
manuring.
Manures and Fertilizers.-The COM
position, value of. proper methods of
storing stable manures. A study of
commercial fertilizers, the materials
furnishing nitrogen, potash. and
phosphoric acid. How to put these
materials together in home mixed
| fertilizers. Wood ashes, their COM
position and value. The value of lime
in agriculture Practice in home
mixing of fertilizers.
Farm Crops.-Talks on best meth
ods of producing corn, potatoes, oats,
clover and grass, with special refer
ence to Maine conditions. Produc-
tion of feed for dairy herd. Methods
of farm management in order to
maintain soil fertility and increase
the returns. Corn and grain judging.
EXPENSES OF THE COURSE
No tuition or fees of any kind are
charged. Very few books are used so
the expense for these is small. The
necessary expenses are for railroad
fare, board and room, and two white
dairy suits, costing one dollar each.
Accommodations are limited. 1t is