The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-04
Teaching Agriculture.


Editor The Washington Herald:
The controversy about the BENEFITS un-
der the Morrill, law seems to me unfortu-
nate.
That law should have included the Dis
trict. The later funds provided annually
for each state and Territory should also
be enjoyed BY the youth Of the District
of Columbia. But the method Of applying
the fund in the changed conditions is
another thing. II is nearly fifty years
since the NORTH act was passed; we were
then stirred up over the rapid impoyerish-
ment Of our virgin soils 1t was clear TO
thoughtful men then. as now, that some
radical changes must be made in farming
or We would all have to leave and go 20
some new country. The newer West,
with its treeless prairies, gave the ideal
chance to rob the soil OF It's fertility
quickly. Corn, wheat, tobacco. and cotton
were grown year after year upon the
same soil: state after State was rapidly
filing with population which proceeded TO
1devastate the lands.
In twenty-five years the average prairie
soil no longer yielded paying crops The
enormous production had reduced prices
so the farmers who had hoped 10 get rich
from their first crops found themselves
poor. Their worthless lands were thrown
on the market and half Of them went
farther West 10 repeat the Same again.
There was a scarcity Of skilled mechanics,
the labor unions were disposed to take
few apprentices, depending largely upon
foreign sources for experienced laborers:
for this reason was provided the land
grant for the Agricultural and Mechanical
colleges
Few people in this country knew much
about schools of agriculture or trade
schools, though they had been long known
In Europe. The Morrill, bill gave no plan.
1t provided lands which the States were
10 sell or lease TO obtain funds. Nothing
especial was mandatory except military
drill.
During the forty-hve years since the
bill passed a noble system Of schools OF
high grade has been built It cost many
failures and errors OF administration. as
competent managers as well as students
had 10 be educated and trained Yet
this system gives US only experts for
the experiment stations, Nationai Depart
ment of Agriculture. and teachers in
the colleges. II does not train practical
farmers TO any extent We need to con-
meet this body of highly trained experts
with the soil and the workshop. For
that elementary practical training IS
needed
/ Washington already has manual train
ing We had a great night 10 get that
But manual training Is only the A. 3. c
OF industrial training. The city is awake
to the need OF trade schools. If Con-
gross can be induced to do anything 10
eaualize opportunity for the youth of
Washington with the states ara Terri
tories 1t should provide this elementary
instruction in agriculture. The Agrlcul-
tural Department has made a beginning
with fine results. There is ample room
on the outskirts of the District sum
mer camp farm Of more extended area
could be provided at comparatively small
cost. where practical agriculture could
be taught on large scale. During the
long summer vacation the pupils would
both enjoy and improve such an oppor-
tunity
With the best feeling toward George
Washington University. ] think that nor
any other school Of its class can give the
industrial training so sorsly needed. That
training Is only possible on a large and
well-equipped farm. The teachers OF
agriculture must be farmers. dairymen.
gardeners. and orchardsts. able to inter
est the pupils and so enthuse them with
practical results that the pupils viii be
attracted TO the farm and stay there. No
other kind OF instruction will make ef-
fective workers and I'LL the gap between
the expert experimenters and the work
ers Of the soil.
For these schools there should be gen
erous appropriations Of public and pri-
vate funds. but the work must stand on
its own foundation and be distinct not
built on to university or manual training
school in a city. EDWARD DANIELS