East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-02-07
MAKING THE HIGH SCHOOL MORE USEFUL
BY A. A. ASBAHR.
Instructor In Agriculture, PendletOn High school,

In summary it can be said, though,
that our high schools should offer a
larger field for the student to choose
from, so that he may select the course
leading to his desired vocation In
the open world this universal chance
for vocational selection is everywhere
present and IL our high schools are
to fulfill their true function they
must offer the same opportunity
After all, the fundamental object of
the high school is to give mental and
moral training, supplemented by
something that is applicable in the
| pursuance of a life work.
1t is gratifying indeed that Pendle-
ton as a community, realizing the
need for more democratic high
school to supply the needs for all its
boys and girls, has erected the pres
ent building and installed splendid
equipment for practical courses in
commerce. domestic science and art,
manual training and agriculture,
thus meeting the demands of the so
per cent as well as the 20 per cent.
Being in charge of the agricultural
work l shall present briefly only the
work that will be carried out in this
department.
Since the larger percent of students
do not expect to continue their edu-
cation beyond the high school, the
aim has been to construct a course
that will meet primarily the needs of
this class. and at the same time flex-
ible enough to enable those who
wish to enter higher institutions of
| learning to take those subjects neces-
sary for entrance.
In planning the work, three classes
of subjects were included as essen
tials in a broad and successful agri-
cultural course. The subjects in sci
! ence as biology, physiology, chemistry
and physics serves primarily to
acquaint the student with the funia-
mental principles of plant and animal
life, matter. and physical forces as
met with every day. The academies
or cultural subjects as English, his
tory. language. economies and math-
ematics, which are largely indispen
sible and should have a regular place
in the program of industrial train
ing. seek to perfect speaking and
writing; giving an acquaintance Of lit
erature; help produce understar ling
and loyal citizens through a know
ledge of history and civics; inst:,
enough facts concerning busines
methods on the farm, general farm
management, agricultural production
and exchange, and social life in the
community, to insure the greatest
possible success in the business of
farming. The technical subjects
treat on animal and crop production,
soil requirements and fertility, shop
work, all to aid in equiping the boy
with his hands and brains alike along
the line of work to be followed upon
completion of his high school course
The following is a brief outline of
the course
First Year.
Required subjects-D English;
(2) Algebra; (D Manual Training;
(4) Zoology, study of animal life: (5)
Botany. study of plant life.
Electives--(I Greek History; (2)
| Elementary Entomology, a study OF
the most common insects, their hab-
its, economic Importance, and methods
OF combating; CD Plant Propagation,
field and class room work in the
various methods of reproducing vege-
tables. flowers. trees and other plants,
methods of early vegetable growing
by means of hot-beds and systems of
transplanting.
Second Year.
Required-(D English; CD Physi-
ography; (3) Manual Training; (D
Stock judging, field and class room
work in studying the types and breeds
OF common farm stock with special
reference to desirable farm, quality,
and use. 60 Soils, study of the
chemical and physical constituents
and properties of the soil, their clas-
sification. methods of moisture con-
servation. tillage irrigation and drain
age. estimation of soil values Of diff
ferent fields and farms Both class
room and field work.
Electives-U) Algebra; CD Geom-
stry; CD Medieval History; q Mod
ern History; CD Household Econo-
mics for boys desiring some instruc-
ton in cookery and like work; O)