The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-07-19
AGRICULTURAL
EDUCATION
lnteresting Annual Report Of
A0orican Agricultural Col.
leges and Experiment
Stations

The Twenty Annual Report Of the
Association Of American Agriculture Col.
leess and Experiment Stations has just ap.
pearsd. This shows that there are forty
nine Institutions Of college grade. teaching
agriculture in the United States. One Of
these Institutions is located in every state
and territory on the main land. and one on
the Hawaiian Islands At Honolulu. When
We remsmber tina, the first agricultural col
lsge Vas started 6fty-three years ago. in
the state Of Michigan. the reason for the
development Of this number. and for the
important place now held by these institu-
tioos. is Of interest.
In 1861. Abraham Lincoln signed the
Morrill, Act. BY means of this, Congress
provided for the setting aside Of certain
lands IN each state and territory. the in
come Of which was to be used for instruc-
tion 10 agriculture, mechanic arts and allied
subjects. Thinking men have come to re-
cosnise that higher education, as provided
BY the universities. was not designed for
the direct help Of the great producing
classes. The provisions of the first Morrill,
Act were framed with the idea Of meeting
this apparent need. In 1890. the second
Morrill, Act was passed. providing for an
nual appropriations out Of the Treasury Of
the United States. for the suppor, Of these
colleges. Later. in 1900. the Nelson Bill
made further provisions for support along
certain lines. To receive this Federal
support it is necessary for the states to
make certain provisions on the start. and
to continue this support as long as the
United States Treasury contributes. The
state must provide buildings and look to
their care. Only certain lines Of instruc.
tion are permitted under the Federal Acts.
and SD other necessary lines must be pro
vided by the states. In practice, these pro-
visions have proven wise. as they have in
sured the interests Of the states and made
real state institutions.
In the beginning. the agricultural colleges
offered courses Of strictly college grade
This confined the work to young men chief
w. and to those Of the young men who had
finished high school course. This pre-
liminary training was necessary to enter
the college. Noting the existing demand
Tor training such as the college gives. by
the men on the farms who could not avail
themselves of the full college cosrse. col
leges provided shorter and more element
ary courses. Wisconsin was amongst the
hrs. to offer this School Of Agriculture
work. At present. such courses are of
fered by many Of the institutions. Four
years ago the Montana State College listed
such course. and large attendance has
proven its popularity. Continuing from
October to March the men on the farms
can take advantage Of il. as these are the
slack months.
The college courses for the high school
graduates: the School Of Agriculture dur
ing the winter months. which does not re-
quire high school training for entrance.
along with the Extension division Of the
college, which takes Information to the far
mers in their home community. thru the
Farmers Institute and other meetings. ex-
plain the rapid growth and impor,an. place
now held by the agricultural colleges.