The Dickinson press., 1912-03-30
R. WAlDR0N GIVES talk
At EDUCATIONAL MEET
superintendent Of The Local Experiment Station Addresses Missouri
Slope Instructors on the Need Of Teaching Agricultural Methods
in the Rural School. Parent Will Also be Benefited.
Following Is His Address in Full:

fOllOWlng is his
SOME SUGGESTIONS REGARDING
RURAL SCHOOL AGRICULTURE
One Of the most striking things that
future historians will record of this era
10 the remarkable development of the
theoretical side of agriculture; or
rather Of those sciences upon which the
art and business of agriculture is
based. Within the memory of my au-
dience there were Professors of Agri-
culture" in this country. We see these
men no more. they are a part of the
past regime. Specialists have devel-
oped ON every side to such an extent
that one cannot keep track of the devel-
opments even in q restricted field like
aeronomy. I remember Dean Bailey
Stating that the time was mot far dis
tant when agricultural colleges would
have a professor devoting his time to
oats or to wheat alone.
Because of the GREAT field involved,
scientific and technical as it has be-
come, some have held that it is quite
futile to attempt to teach agriculture in
the rural schools. The subjects are too
vast andcomplex. This is unfortunate
if true. but practice has shown that the
matter is quite feasible. One of the
primary objects of agricultural educa-
tion is to preserve and increase the in
terest of the child. the teacher and the
parent in rural life and in rural sur
roundines. Another object perhaps
equally important is the impartine of
instruction for practical use upon the
farm. Especially at the beginning of
this work the teacher should make no
effort to impart technical knowledge. I
fancy that most teachers must learn
agriculture as they 60 along.
I would like to impress upon those
that have to do with the teaching of az
ricultural that there are a large mass of
facts which, when properly presented
will tend to interest the student In the
farm. which will give him practical
knowledge, which will make the teach
er become more interested in the sub
jects and which will soon lead the par
ent to think that there is something
valuable coming out of the %..teachint.
Without wasting any more time in
pr~eliminaries j. wish, this forenoon to
outline IN q general way with certain
scattered examples, some things that
may be taught without much knowledge
upon the part of the teacher. The pro-
gram / suggest is q broad n but it is
all the easier on that account. In TAX
ing up these different subjects the
teacher will be learning more than the
pupils. The teacher may be as much
surprised as a result of some of the
simple experiments as the pupils them
selves. Because of this the teaches
must learn to take careful notes upon
what takes place preparatory to inform.
ing herself upon the subjects. flom the
printed page. at some future time. LIE,
us take up in order some of these gen
eral subjects and discuss them briefly.
PLANT BREEDING.
Plant breeding has q place is some
of our leading universities. as a grad.
uate course, but this does not hinder
some phases of it beine understood hs
students of the common schools. Il !.
not desired that the teacher should
take up the theoretical. portion, o.
the work at all, but to pay attention t
the practical phases and to such as car
readily be, understood BY both pupil ant
teacher. Understanding Of the. worl
should proceed far enough so that hotl
teacher and pupil can see there is som.
sense in what is being done. A prac+
tical exercise might consist. of the stud,
of wheat and corn seeds. First study
the newly terminated seeds compared
with soaked seeds to show what part o.
the seed grows and what part of tn.
seed feeds the young plantlet. A
study of other seeds should be made
such as beans, peas, b%uckwheat il
sufficient quantities so that the studen,
can pick out and recognize the embryo
without difficulty. A comparison SHOULD
be made of real seeds and of so callet
potato seed or tubers. The pupil shoult
be shown similarities and differences.
If q teacher does not feel informed OF
thse points let them make a mutual in,
~yestigation Of the subject learning a,
much as is possible.
Some simple flower should be. studied.
paying particular attention to the sta.
mems and pistils. they have to do will
the reproduction Of the plant and are o.
major interest. Heads Of wheat may bs
picked before they blossom. dried o.
picked in forinaldehyde and saved To-
future work. Corn tassels and ears a
corn picked at early silkine time car
, be dried carefully and saved. Oa'