The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-11-28
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES
MUST TRAIN TEACHERS

1t is important that both the public
and the colleges shOulG understand
that one OF the most useful, and in
deed necessary. functions of the agri-
cultural colleges is to train the inves-
tigators and teachers who are to dis
new agricultural truth and to
disseminate this knowledge to stu
dents and to the farming communities.
Whatever the agricultural colleges
have done in this line in the past, and
they have done much, should be cred
tied to them as a contribution to the
advancement Of American agriculture.
The great movement for agricul-
tural colleges have done in this line
In the past, and they have done much,
should be credited to them as a con-
tribution to the advancement OF
American agriculture.
The great movement for agricultural
education and research which has
gone on in this country for over half
a century, and which has now culmi-
mated in active efforts to carry the
new knowledge which has been ac-
CURED by this department and the
experiment stations to the masses OF
our rural population, has very largely
been organized and led by men train
ed in u agricultural college or con.
nected with them az teachers or in.
vestigators. For the proper conduct
of this department and the state de-
partments of agriculture, the agricul.
tural colleges and stations, the "a.
pidly increasing number of secondary
and elementary schools in which agri.
culture is being taught, and the farm.
ers' institutes, movable schools and
other extension agencies for the in.
struction of the thirty million people
or our farms, hundreds of graduates
of agricultural colleges are now re.
CURED and many more will be needed
in the near future.
The colleges should therefore be en-
couraged to increase the efficiency
Of their courses intended especially
for the training Of teachers and in
vestigators. Congress has specifically
pointed this out by providing in the
act for the enlargement of the federal
grants to these institutions, known as
the Nelson Amendment. that a portion
of this money may be used for the
training of teachers. Many of the
students in our colleges of agriculture
have special aptitude for teaching On
investigation. These should by all
means be encouraged to follow ca
reers along these lines.
The number and variety of positions
open to the agricultural graduate who
will prepare to teach or investigate
is now very large, and such positions
are attractive both from the oppor
tunity they present and from a finan'
the agricultural education service oil
this office has been keeping account
of the first salaries received by agri
cultural college graduates who have
been appointed to such positions, and
has compiled some interesting figures
regarding them. In 1907 the average
salary of 90 such graduates was 1928;
in 1908 t~heaverage for 70 graduates
was 1918; in 1909, for SO graduates
$1.017; ana in 1911, for 134 graduates
1887. The lowest salary among the
1911 graduates was $500 and the high
est $1,000.
Considering the fact that fifteen OF
twenty years ago the agricultural col
lege graduates could not hope to get
over $1,000 in his first position, and
that the great majority had to begin
on $500 or $500, it is o surprising
that In view Of the larger salaries OF
today and of the general upward trend
in agriculture. the agricultural courses
IN the Immigrant colleges r enroll.
ing more students and that more OF
the graduates of these courses r tax.
ing up agricultural pursuits.-From
May, 1912. Experiment Station Rec
ord.