The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-05-25
NATIONAL WELFARE
DEPENDS ON The AGRI-
CULTURAL PROSPERITY

The national welfare depends upon
agricultural prosperitys agriculture it,
self is daily becoming more and more
OF q science; and these two factors
reinforce the pressing demand for more
and better agricultural education
among the rural population. But where
are the teachers OF agriculture coming
from This question Is raised by A.
G. Monahan specialist in rural educa-
ton of the United States bureau OF
education, in a bulletin just issued by
the bureau for tree distribution.
AT present nearly 1000 high schools
are teaching agriculture, the course
being taken by an aggregate Of some
$1,000 pupils" Mr.. Monahan writes.
But in all these schools, only a few
besides those giving four-year courses
in this subject have instructors with a
college or normal school training in
scientific agriculture, while a large
percentage of the active teachers with
this training have had no training in
psychology or pedagogy. Probably no
one factor has had greater influence in
retarding the Introduction OF substan-
tial courses in agriculture in all those
high schools whose pupils are drawn in
large numbers from farming districts
than the shortage OF properly quali-
fed teachers.
1T will be several years before the
supply Of men available as instructors
in agriculture will be sufficient to meet
the demand. Although the salaries
paid are from SO to 100 per cent higher
than are those for instructions In other
subjects in secondary schools, the
state co..cges of agriculture are ind
ing difficulty in persuading men to
qualify specially for teaching, because
even these salaries are not equal to
those paid the graduates OF these in-
situations in the agricultural indusa
tries.
1T is important, however, that prop-
erly trained men be obtained. Agri-
culture as a high school science has
not yet been developed into good ped
agogicaI form and until it is SO devel-
oped a higher grade, better trained
teacher is needed for the agricultural
subjects than for any other subject in
the high school curriculum.
Men for this work need a liberal
education in the general culture SUBJ
Jects, together with a special ~training:.
First, In the physical and natural sci-
ences, particularly in their relations ta
the science and art Of agriculture:
second, in technical and practical ag-
riculture and farm practice: third, in
rural sociology and agricultural eco.
nomics; fourth, in general psychology
and pedagogy; fifth. in special agriculs
tural pedagogy, including the history
of agricultural and industrial educa-
ton, the place and purpose Of agri.
culture In the high school. the func-
ton OF the agricultural high school.
special methods OF teaching agricul-
ture, and other similar aspects Of agy
ricuItural teaching. The opportunity
for such preparation is offered by sew
eral OF the state colleges OF agricul-
ture.p
h bureau OF education,s bulletin.
which is entitled Agricultural Educa-
ton in Secondary Schools, will be SEM
free upon request to the commissioner
Of education, department OF the inter-
Tor Washington, D. G. Among the
topics covered in the bulletin are the
following: Essentials In q state svs-
tenn OF Agricultural Education: Tha
Need for Reliable Scientific Data re-
garding the Rural Problem; and The
Proper Equipment Of an Agricultural
High School. A photography Of re-
cent publications. Of the bureau Of edu-
cation which deal with agricnltpral
education iG also included