Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-12-11
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
IN WESTERN CANADA
THE LATEST METHODS ADOPTED
BY THE AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES.

.~
BY THE AGRICULTURAL
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
a~scertained when 1t is known what
a been accomplished by the thou
sands who have been following the
occupation for some time and made q
success of it with not even a theore-
tical knowledge. They have tickled
the land with a hoe" and become rich.
But the question is how long could
hat 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 it's phos-
pilates and other properties with
which 1t is so largely endowed. will
make Of the country, the greatest
farming portion of the known world.
The Dominion government showed
Its pa%ternalism years ago when it es-
.ablished experimental farms in Mani
toba and Saskatchewan. The benefits
Vt 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 Ia 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.
Tho DrOry{rpn 0f SoCLotnhaxryn
alive to the necessity OF a higher and
a better system of farming, has in
connection with its 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
1t 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-
ricultural 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:
we Of the United States think
that we know how to get behind agri-
culture and push, but the Canadians
dare to do W. 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 r putting great faith
in education for the development OF
their resources-not the old education,
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.
100000 for buildings and grounds for
its agricultural institutions.
Saskatchewan is building a plant
for it's university and agricultural col
lege on a broader and more substan-
tial 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-
u provision is made. They are be-
ing built up to give vocational and
technical training as well as cultural.
They tt the needs of the country ex-
cellently and should turn out fine
tx,nao ~ h1yvp ord ~{rIo erI,o, ~ ATT.