The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-06-01
Extension Work Of Bemidji Institu.
ton, Under Bueford M. Gile, Ac-
complishes NIB Good.
REPORT TELLS
COURSE
Two Distinct Divisions Study y
Soils and Animal Husbandry-
Many Pupils Enrolled.

AAAAAVAASNs
Conditions and accomplishments of
the agricultural department of the
Bemidji high school are Interestingly
narrated in report which has Just
been submitted to w. P. Dyer, SUPER
intendent of schools, by Bueford M.
Gile, agriculturist.
Under the supervision of Mr.. Gile,
recognized as one Of the states FORE
most agriculturists, much progress
has been made in this department
during the past two years. In the
report, which will be sent to the
state high school inspector and later
to the high school board, every de-
partment of the agricultural course,
including the extension work, is re-
viewed. The report follows:
Two Distinct Courses.
Two years of high school agricui-
ture have been given the past year.
Agriculture Cd had an enrolment
of twenty-five boys and girls and re-
cited one period per day on three
days of the week and had laboratory
work two periods each day for two
days in the week. The work in this
class was along the lines of soils
and field crops. Under the heading
of soils, emphasis was laid on the
condition of the soil necessary to
plant growth; the origin and the
classification of soils; the value of
the proper rotation of crops, the i'm
portance of legumes and the neces-
sity of raising stock to properly
maintain permanent soil fertility
and profitable agriculture; the prop
er management of sand, clay and
marsh soils; and the necessity of
properly tilling the soil.
Simple laboratory exercises were
given to make the pupils familiar
with the different classes of soils
and their characteristics. Under field
crops, the best methods of growing
and handling crops which are COM
monty grown in this part of the state
were studied. Grain Judging. corn
judging and methods of testing each
for termination were given as lab
oratOry exercises. Grain and potato
diseases and the proper treatment
for each were studied and applied in
practical exercise. Field exercises
in gathering seed corn and potatoes,
conducting an ear to row test on
corn and in planting potatoes were
given.
Judging is Studied.
Agriculture CD was class in ami
NAL husbandry and had an enroll
ment of twelve boys. The care,
housing, feeding and Judging of all
classes of live stock were studied
and exercises in judging and scoring
dairy cattle, horses, sheep and swine
were given. A special study of the
Matching, brooding and feeding of
chickens was made. Several of the
class took home to raise some of
the young chicks that they had help
ed to hatch in the incubator. Milk
and cream testing and the cream
separator were studied, and the op-
erations performed until the pupils
were familiar with the process
Taught in Eighth Grade.
During three months of the year
a class in agriculture was conducted
for class of fifteen TAX
ing the normal course. Practical
work in the elements of agriculture
with exercises suitable for the
rural schools were given. Thirty
rural teachers received instruction
one hour per day for five weeks in
the summer school held at Bemidji
last summer.
Four persons each week were given
over to the teaching of agriculture
to the pupils of the Eighth Grade.
The. total enrolment in Eighth Grade
Agriculture was ninety. During
the winter talks were given at vari-
Gus times to the pupils of the Fourth,
Fifth and Sixth Grades. The total
number of those who received regular
class room instruction during the
past year is one hundred and seven
ty-nine. Assistance was also given
in the preparation Of high school
rhetorical programs.
The School Farm.
The school owns and maintains a
ten acre plot of land. TO conduct
the class work or the extension work
without this would be like giving a
course in chemistry without any
chemicals. The orchard and small
fruit plot is used for practical work
in setting out trees and bush fruit
and for demonstrations in the uses
of sprays. The pupils are all given
practical work in corn, grain and
notatO culture Enough of the real