Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1911-09-27
agriculture inhe
High Schools
By C. F. ADAMS,
Director Arkansas Experiment
Station.

| Agriculture is 1t composite subject
and is based on chemistry, physics,
geology. physical geography, physio!-
ogy, botany, zoology, etc. 1t can be
divided into two divisions theoretical
agriculture, practical agriculture, or
! husbandry.
Theoretical agriculture is a science
| and concerns the nature and proper
ties and soils and economic plants
and animals. 1t begins with the soil
and endeavors to ascertain its exact
properties and their relations to plant
life This involves, fundamentally,
chemistry, physics, geology, botany
and physiology 1t provides for the
regulation Of soil properties to their
better adaptation of plant life. After
soils, our science considers plant life
itself. It studies not only the adap-
tation Of plants to the soil, but their
relation to each other and to animals.
aud introduces crop rotation, food
values and many other utilitarian
properties. This draws largely on
biological subjects. The study 0f
economic animals is coordinate with
the study of plants, and likewise IS
largely a biologieal subjeot.~At times
1t logicaly follows plant industry be-
cause il is dependent thereon.
Practical agriculture, or husband
~, is an art; and concerns the aDpli,
cation Of scientific laws TO he .e-
sources OF nature. It compfehends
fer production, first. the preparation
Of the soil fer the reception OF seed
and plants OF all kinds, their cult.
walton and care and gathering; sec
end, the production Of plant products
Tor their final utilization; third, the
utilization Of these products, either
in animal production, manufacturing
or even eommunstie Enterprises Il
furnishes profession to man where
by he earns a livelihood and serves
his community relative to good cit
zenship.
The question of agriculture in nigh
schools is new one with many
states. It's solution is difficult be-
cause elementary agriculture, as
0jeet, hasn't clearly found its place,
Mature study is often looked upon
as being elementary agriculture. II
this study has as its object the pro-
duction of agricultural commodities,
it then finds some justification in its
claim. In other words, it is the atti-
tnde an elementary subject takes
which classifies it. Elementary ag
riculture is an Introductory study
comprehending in its field such prin-
clples OF chemistry, physics, physiol-
ogy, botany, zoology, etc, as are nee
essary to the production of agricHi
tural products. 1t should be taught
from the practical standpoint. thus al
lowing the idea of its application to
precede or dominate that of theoret-'
ieal understandings If the reverse is i
from agriculture aud into chemistry,
physics. botany. as subjects unto
themselves
High schools should devote two
years 20 agriculture Five periods
1f As minutes each weekly throughout
give its work one unit value There
are many ereditable text books for
his subject and may be used unless
he teacher prefers sitting the mate
'ial and presenting it in lecture form
+ the latter methods is used a com
letent instructor can begin by giving
time TO the soil. If the
ext books are to he used exclusively
he following outlins should be p,r+
sued.
First year. The plant Its environ.
nent, culture. care and Improvement \
Second year. The soil---its caref
md Improvement Animal husband 1
"
To maintain normal soil Fertility