The Penn's Grove record., 1913-12-12
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
IN WESTERN CANADA
THE LATEST METHODS ADOPTED
BY THE AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES.

COLLEGES.
Scientific farming can be pursued
with more profit and advantage in
Western Canada, probably than in
any other portion of the continent.
What may be achieved by it may be
ascertained when it is known what
has been accomplished by the thou
sands who have been following the
occupation for some time and made a
success of it with not even a theore-
teal knowledge. They have tickled
the land with a hoe" and become rich.
But the question is how long could
that continue. The soil and the eli
mate and every other condition favor
great results by a pursuit of such
methods as a technical and practical
knowledge will bring. There is in
the writer's opinion no possibility of
failure. Fully aware of this and also
of the great potentialities that exist
in Western Canada for the following
of the profession of farming, as it
could be developed and carried on in
Western Canada, the various govern
ments have established the machin-
cry, that there may be developed a
class of farmers, who in the posses
sion of the rich soil of that country,
with it's abundant humus and its phos-
pilates and other properties with
which it is so largely endowed, will
make of the country, the greatest
farming portion of the known world.
The Dominion government showed
its paternalism years ago when it es-
tablished experimental farms in Mani
toba and Saskatchewan. The benefits
of these in the matter of practical
education have been widespread, but
the greatest benefit is to be observed
in the immediate vicinity of these
farms, where the occupants have
brought their holdings into a high
state of cultivation, and year after
year sees an added value.
The Province of Manitoba is sup
~plementing this work by its excellent
agricultural college, manned by pro-
fessors of the highest standing in
their various branches. That this
work is appreciated is shown by the
large attendance, not only of the far
mer's sons, but by the farmer him.
self and also by the sons of business
men and professors who intend fol
lowing farming as a profession, and
that is what it is fast becoming.
The Province of Saskatchewan,
alive to the necessity of a higher and
a better system of farming, has in
connection with it's university an ag-
ricultural college and what it is do
ing today in the matter Of education
will be felt for all time to come, and
it will not be long before it will be an
easy matter to pick out the farms
manned by graduates of this college,
or the farms owned by those who
have gained from the experience
taught by their neighbor.
The same may be said of Alberta.
The university at Edmonton has a
complete agricultural college. Full
advantage of this is taken by hundreds
of students anxious to better their ag-
gricultural knowledge, and fit them to
take hold successfully of the lands
that they expect to occupy. This
province has also added demonstra-
ton farms in various parts, which are
very successful, inasmuch as farmers
visit them from all parts, and take ad-
vantage of educating themselves for
short periods during each winter.
Dean Curtiss of Ames Agricultural
College, Iowa, says:
I'VE of the United States think
that we know how to get behind agri-
culture and push, but the Canadians
dare to do even more than we do in
some respects. They have wonderful
faith in the future, they hesitate at no
undertaking that offers prospects of
results. More significant still is the
wide cooperation for agricultural pro-
motion, including the government,
private individuals and corporations
and the railroads"
Canadians are putting great faith
In education for the development of
but vocational and technical. Prov
inces that have less than half the pop
ulation of Iowa and much less wealth
are appropriating more literally for
colleges and schools. Manitoba, for
instance, has in the last two years
provided about as much money for the
building of an agricultural plant as
Iowa has appropriated in half a cen-
fury. 1t has given in two years 3d.
500, 900 for buildings and grounds for
Its agricultural institutions.
saskatchewan is building a plant
for its university and agricultural col
lege on a broader and more substan-
lial plan than has been applied to any
similar institution in this country. Yet
neither province has more than half a
million population.
For public schools equally gener-
Dus provision is made. They are be-
ing built up to give vocational and
technical training as well as cultural.
They fit the needs of the country ex-
eellently and should turn out fine
types of boys and girls. They do this
with a remarkable faith in the value
of right education.
Dean Curtiss was much interested
in the many other ways the Canadian
government aids agriculture, aside
from appropriations for educational
purposes. They are aiding in solving
marketing problems; they are encour-
aging better breeding of livestock by
buying sires and reselling them at
cost. and they are doing many other
thi IS of like character.
Il found that the government is ad-
vancing from so to IS per cent. of
the money necessary to build co-opera-
tive creameries and elevators" said
Dean Curtiss, land it is doing it at a
low rate of interest and on long time
payments. Where cattle need breed
ing up, the government buys bulls Of
dairy, Shorthorn. or special dairy
breeds and sends them in at cost price
and on long time payments"
The yield Of grain in Western Can
ada in 1913 was excellent but not alb
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