274 THE NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [4=9-1*0, 1908 



The horticulture consists in orchard work, spraying, pruning, 

 layering, grafting, budding, orchard pests and means of combat- 

 ing them, and the selection of fruit. There is a young orchard on 

 the campus and the classes do the work necessary to keep it in 

 ideal condition. 



During the second year one-half semester's work in animal 

 husbandry is given. It consists of a study of the market classes 

 and grades of swine. Bulletins issued by the University of 

 Illinois and the daily stock journals are used as texts and the 

 stock of neighboring farmers are used for laboratory practice. 

 The people wish their boys to be able not only to identify the 

 ideal type of animal but also to read and intelligently interpret 

 their market reports and thereby be able to determine accurately 

 the correct value of their own property. 



During the third year the first semester is devoted to agronomv 

 consisting of a study of the physical characteristics of the differ- 

 ent soils. Experimental work is carried on for the determination 

 of specific gravity, water holding capacity of the soil, capillarity 

 and the mechanical analysis of soil. A study of the effects of the 

 various farming operations on the soil is made, including plowing, 

 harrowing, rolling, etc. 



The animal husbandry work of this year during the first half of 

 the second semester consists of a study of the principles of feed- 

 ing. The boys study the activities of the animal body and the 

 products of its metabolism. The foods are considered as meat, 

 milk or wool producers as well as energy and heat producers. 

 The art of feeding for a specific purpose is studied, and since these 

 boys' fathers are always feeding for some one of these purposes 

 the students take a great deal of interest in this kind of work. 



During the second half of this semester the judging of the 

 market classes and grades of beef cattle is taken up. The same 

 practices are in use in this course as in the swine course, that is, 

 neighboring farmers' stock is used for laboratory practice and the 

 same classification is used that is found in the leading live-stock 

 markets of the country. When practicable, classes are taken to 

 fairs to score and judge stock that they may compare their work 

 with that of the expert. 



During the senior year a course is given in soil fertility. In 

 this course chemical analyses are made of various soils, fertilizers, 



