The Harlowton news., 1912-07-19
AGRICUL. TURA !
EDUCA TON
Report Of the TWenty-first All
nual Report Of the Agri-
cultural Association.

can Agricultural Colleges and
Experiment Stations has just
appeared. This shows that there
are forty-ni institutions of
college grade, teaching agriculture!
in the United States. One of these
institutions is located in each
State and territory on the main
Hand. and one on the Hawaiian
Islands at Honolulu. When We
remember that the first agricul-
tural college was started fifty three
years ago, in the State of Michi-8
gan, the reason for the develop
ment Of this number, and for the.
important place now held by these
institutions, is of interest.
| In 1862, Abraham Lincoln
signed the Morrill, Act. BY means
of this, Congress provided for the
setting aside of certain land iii
each state and territory, the in
come Of which was to be used for
instruction in agriculture, mechan-
ical arts and allied subject. Think
ing men had come to recognize
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 meet
ing this apparent need. In $780,
! the second Morrill, Act was passed,
providing for annual appropria-,
tions out Of the Treasury of the
United States, for the support Of
| these colleges. Later in 1906, the
Nelson Bill made further provi-
sions 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 instruction are permitted
under the federal Act, and so
other necessary lines must be
provided by the states. In prac
tice, these provisions have proven
wise, as they have insured the in.
terests of the states and made
real state institutions.
In the beginning, the agricul-
tural colleges offered courses of
strictly college grade. This con-
fined the work to young men
chiefly, and to those Of the young
men who had finished a high school
course. This preliminary training
was necessary to enter the college.
Noting the existing demand for
training such as the college gives,
| by the men on the farms who
lcould not avail themselves of the
| full college course, colleges provi-
ded shorter and more elementary
courses. Wisconsin was amongst
the first to offer this "School of
i Agriculture" work. At present,
such courses are offered by many
of the institutions. Four years
ago the Montana State College
LISTED such a course, and a large
| attendance has proven it's popular
lity. Continuing from October to
/ March, the men ON the farms can
take advantage Of it, as these are
| the slack months.
4 The college courses for the high
school graduates; the school Of
Agriculture during the winter
months, which does not require a
high school training for entrance,
lalong with the Extension division
Of the college, which takes infor-
I nation to the farmers in their
home community, through the
Farmers Institute and other meet
ings, explain the rapid growth and
the important place now held by
the agricultural colleges.