The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-07-27

The North Dakota Agricultural College was
located at Fargo in 1889 according to the pro-
visions of the State Constitution On March 2,
1890, the first legislative assembly OF the state
established the institution under the provisions
Of the Morrill, Act of July 1862. At this time the
purpose Of the school and the character of it's
work set forth as follows: THE design
of the institution is TO afford practical instruc
ton in agriculture and the natural sciences con-
rected Herewith. and also the sciences which
bear directly upon all the industrial arts and
pursuits. The course Of instruction shall en-
brace English language and literature, mathe-
mates, military tactics civil engineering, agri-
cultural chemistry, animal and vegetable an
atomy and physiology, the veterinary art ento-
mology, geology and such other natural sci
ences as may be prescribed, political rural and
household economy, horticulture, moral philoso-
ply, history, bookkeeping and especially the
application Of science and mechanic arts to
practical agriculture in the field.
"a full course of study in the institution shall
embrace not less than four years and the col
lege year shall consist Of not less than nine
calendar months"
The Act Of Congress establishing and endow-
ing the agricultural colleges defines the char
acter and scope of instruction follows 1.-THE
leading object shall be, without excluding other
scientific and classical studies, and including
military tactics, to teach such branches of
learning as are related to agriculture and the
mechanic arts, in such manner as the legisla
ture of the state may prescribe Gas branch OF
the state university in Ohio or separate
college, as in North Dakota) in order to pro-
mote the liberal and practical education OF the
Industrial classes in the several pursuits and
professions of life." asH
The federal act thus provided for type of
education not previously recognized by existing
higher institutions OF learning, and for class
of citizens, to whom there had not previously
been offered the advantages OF higher educa-
tional training for life work.
While emphasizing the sciences and the
courses Of study correlated with them as being
essential to the uplift and Improvement of the
conditions of the industrial classes, these acts
lay especial emphasis upon agriculture and me-
chanics arts and at that time. the latter en-
hraced everything embodied in all engi-
neering courses-schools Of engineering being
then unknown.
All modern courses of study in agriculture
and engineering being the outgrowth OF the
Morrill, Act 1t is thus decreed by the highest
legislative authority, both state and national,
that the Agricultural College shall become the
great school of science and technology of the
State of North Dakota.
The state is thus fortunate in having two in
stitutions of higher learning, one more espe-
cially equipped for training in professional and
the other in Industrial pursuits with a vertical
line of cleavage separating their work, and yet
admitting Of closest and most cordial co-opera-
ton for the beneht of the children and the var
led interests Of the state.