Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-06-13
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT

Believing that a steady, normal.
continuous growth is of most value
and service, the Agricultural Depart
ment has proceeded along conserva-
tive lines, and has developed and en-
larged in very satisfactory manner
during the past year.
Little interest in or demand for ag-
ricultural work was manifested dur.
ing much of the first semester, the
duty first at hand being that of a slow
Strengthening of the department,
principally thru the attitude and char
acter of the ones in charge. A large
enthusiastic class in agricultural bo-
tany was conducted during the first
semester. All the various weeds of
this locality were studied. many ex-
cursions being made and the collec-
tion and Identification of the seeds
OF at least twenty-four of the most
troublesome weeds. Apples, pota-
toes, onions, corn, and many other
farm products were studied in their
botanical aspects and practical rela-
tions.
normal course and a short course
in agriculture were begun for the first
time November goth, 1911, both ex-
tending thruout sixteen weeks. In
each course the practical side of the
subjects in hand was emphasized. The
work was arranged in the order of
three recitations a week and two Ia
boratory periods. The short course
students took up the very essential
things as concerns this particular To-
cality. Both classes used bulletins
altogether, drawing largely from the
Z. S. Dept. of Agr. and the MINI. Ex.
Station. The laboratory work. con-
sisted of the study of some of the
physical properties of the soil, grain
judging, seed testing, weed seed iden-
tification, and the testing Of milk
brought in by the short course boys.
Shortly before Christmas a definite
and decided movement was begun
concerning the association of the
country cshool districts lying in the
immediate vicinity of Warren. After
winters campaign of extension
work in the way of personal visits
to the farmers and school house meet
ings, four districts (out of six voting
on the matter) joined with us. After
the association of the four districts,
or about March 1st, 1912, the agricul.
tural director began giving practical
instruction in the associated schools,
going to them once week for the re.
mainder of the year. Pupils rang
Ling from the 5th to the 9Th grades in.
elusive were enrolled in the work,
Much interest and enthusiasm was
shown by both the pupils and their
parents.
This spring, school garden work has
been started in the town and asso.
ciated country districts. Tc date
fifty-seven gardens are located in the
country at the children's homes. The
gardens are of a uniform size GO #
by 20 ft.) and have to contain from
five to eight different kinds of plants
chiefly vegetables. In the fall TWEEN.
ty-five prizes amounting to $500 will
be given for the best kept gardens;
the town and country pupils are all
put on the same level.
A number of farmers Institutes
We're held during the year. At a two
days institute (March % and 23) the
class in Soil Physics gave an oral
oral recitation upon some interesting
phases in soil formation, drainage
and cultivation. This idea was a
new departure, but was we'll received
by the farmers. The agricultural di
rector has attended various meetings
outside of the Farmers Institutes
generally giving a short talk upon the
extension of the agricultural work
Il
At the beginning of the second sem
ester two very practical courses ir
agriculture were started; one in sol
physics and the other in farm crops
The laboratory work in both was in
teresting and enjoyable A cozy room
on the basement floor where it is O
easy access is occupied by these
classes.
The department has on hand in ap
propriate bins five kinds of stool
soils, (clay, peat, loan, silt, sand
which are sued in nearly all the e1
periments in soil physics. Ther
are also all the common grains Of tn
locality, weed seed samples Of almos
one hundred weeds common to th
farms here samples of clover, ryt
wheat and barley in the stalk;
chondrometer for testing small grain
and very complete new outfit Of !.
boratory apparatus in soils, beside