Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-24
History of Farm Education.

THE fruits Of 40 years Of labor and study
are now making their appearance in q De-
partment of Agriculture publication, giving
in detail the advance of agricultural education
from 1875 to 1925.
The author of this work, which has great
historical value, was DR.. Alfred Charles True,
who unfortunately did not live to see his writ
ings in type. DR. True died last Spring in his
seventy-sixth year.
From its inception, agricultural education in
this country has been related to the general
progress of scientific knowledge and education.
DIR. True traces this relationship from Colonial
times to the present, and gives an immense
fund Of information about the institutions pri-
vate and public, through zhich the progress Of
agricultural education has been made.
Prominent among the early organizations that
had favorable influence on agricultural educa-
ton was the American Philosophical Society,
founded in 1744 by Benjamin Franklin, says
DR.. True. This society published many articles
on agricultural subjects, and its work led to
the organization in 1785 Of the Philadelphia
Society for Promoting Agriculture. Thereafter
organizations for the study Of agriculture prob
lens sprang up from time to time. Dr. True
gives much information about the leaders In
this movement, among whom were Washing
ton, Marshall, Madison, Jefferson and many
other distinguished men. The history tells much
Of interest about the early agricultural fairs.
In 1749, the history notes, Benjamin Frank
lin recommended that agriculture be made q
subject Of study In an academy in Philadel-
phia, and out Of this grew the University Of
Pennsylvania. The univerSity's first curriculum
included instruction In the chemistry of agri-
culture.
course offered In Columbia College in 1872
by DR.. Mitchell, professor Of natural history.
chemistry and agriculture, Is described. The
early use Of land grants and public funds for
the support OF schools and colleges Is cited
as laying the foundation for State and Federal
aid to institutions for agricultural education.
The period, 1e20-1s6o. saw the development
Of . definite movement for agricultural educa-
ton I'm the United States. Most Of the Inn
portant agencies contributing to this move
ment are examined and their progress de-
scribed in some detail by DR.. True.
Among these agencies were agricultural
societies, State boards Of agriculture, agricul-
tural books and periodicals, and schools colleges
and universities.
The teaching Of agriculture In purely private
institutions was attended with small success
30 the advocates Of agricultural education locked
to the Federal and State Governments for help,
says DR.. True. This movement became COM
bined with that for industrial education and
brought about the Federal land-grant act of
1862, under which State colleges and universities
were endowed. The movements in New York,
ment of two types OF institutions for higher
education In agriculture l. G., separate colleges
and branches of universities, are described
The importance Of the Morrill, land-grant
act Of 1862 and the early work of the land
section Of his work to the oEiGin and benefits