The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-06-23
WHY NOT STUDY
AGRICULTURE

Every ambitious young man IS III
terested in some occupation or pro
fession Of character and high stand
ing, that demands the application OF
natural intelligence, thorough prepa
ration and business ability. Such &
calling is agriculture
Since the period when Uncle San
gave for the asking farm of rich
soil comparatively free from pests
and diseases, agriculture has under.
gone revolutionary changes. A farm
fully equipped and of such size as to
be operated economically now rep
resents a large capitalization. The
soil has lost much of its virgin fer
tility. Pests and diseases are prev
alent. Complex and expensive ma
chinery has taken the place of hand
labor. Marketing and other business
problems have become more and
more complex. Competition is keener
and standards of living higher. These
conditions gradually are forcing out
of the agricultural industry the I'M
prepared and the incompetent, are
offering a premium for natural abil-
ity and technical training, and have
placed agriculture as a profession
and mode of life on a plane as
high as. if not higher, than that Of
the other professions on lines Of en-
deavor that require ability, prepare
ton and training for their successful
pursuit.
At the present time the call of
agriculture is for men and women
trained in its fundamental principles,
ambitious, energetic and willing to
work and to lead. A brief discussion
of some of the opportunities in agri-
culture follows.
Practical Farming
Practical farming is the greatest
of all industries. AS the difficulties
of farming increase, the the produc-
ton of agriculture products offers
increasingly greater rewards to the
well-prepared. and with the increas-
ing complexity of the farm business
the satisfaction in success becomes
greater. Moreover, there is a place
in every agricultural community for
those who can lead, not only in tech
meal production but in all community
relationships. In no field perhaps
will technical training for leadership
count for more than in practical
farming and the life of the farm
community.
Entrance Requirements
Entrance requirements of the Col
lege of Agriculture are the same as
those of other colleges of the institu-
ton. Graduates of accredited four
year high school courses are those
having equivalent preparation are adj
mitted to its regular courses without
examination. Persons lacking full
high school preparation may enter
upon passing entrance examinations
or, if over % years of age, may en-
roll as on-matriculated students and
be admitted to such classes as they
may be able to undertake. The
Eight Weeks and the Two-Weeks
Short Courses in Agriculture are
open to anyone, above the age of
sixteen, who desires to attend them.
Methods of Selt-SuppOrt
Many capable young men hesitate
to enter college because their parents
are not able to pay their expenses.
They need not hesitate if they can
be spared from home and are blessed
with good health.
Over SO per cent of the young men
attending the State College of Wash
ington are working their way
through. Many others earn part Of
their expenses. Those who have
enough money to take them through
or nearly through the first year, by
utilizing their spare time at college
and their vacations efficiently. usual
ly are able to finish a four years
course comparatively free from debt
and without being obligated to stay
cut more than a year or so to earn
additional funds. An occasional
hustler is able to make his way en-
tirely as he goes along but this is
the exception rather than the rule.
A Record of Agricultural Graduates
In a recent inquiry among the
agricultural graduates of the State
College of Washington. it was found
that the average salary or net in
come received by them the first year
out of college was S1,331.19; the sec
ond year, $1,39120; the third year,
$1,5S222; the fourth year. $2,064.74
and the fifth year $2,302.01. In adj
dition those living on their farms had
their homes and many food supplies
for the table. The highest reported
income was $4,000, while the lowest
was Sal by an alummus who had
experienced an especially bad year.
LABOR UNIONS ENDORSE
COOPERATION