138 SEVENTH REPORT. 



COUNTY SCHOOLS OF AGRICULTURE. 



W. J. BEAL. 



Altliongli the time of openiDg the oldest agricnltiiral college in Amer- 

 ica was 48 years ago next May, there are now fifty-nine agricnltnral col- 

 leges in the United States, not counting a few agricultural schools of a 

 lower grade. 



The State of Wisconsin was the first in the Union to encourage the 

 establishment of schools for the teaching of agriculture, manual training 

 and domestic science of the rural classes. County schools of agriculture 

 and domestic economy were created by act of the Legislature of Wiscon- 

 sin in 1901. Two counties, Dunn and Marathon, erected buildings and 

 purchased furniture, apparatus, machinery and stock, the state aiding 

 each school to the extent of |4,000 a year to apply on the running ex- 

 penses. 



In 1904 these schools were so successful that the previous Legislature 

 offered to help two more counties that should build and equip buildings 

 for that purpose. The purpose of these schools is to train young: men 

 and young women for life on the farm. 



A great change is taking place in American country life. So many 

 new principles are being* introduced that persons Avho have been off the 

 farm only a few years have no idea of the modern ways of doing things 

 by up-to-date methods. Agricultural education in some regions is com- 

 ing right to the front and all progressive farmers are glad to see it. 



Dunn County also has a school for the training of teachers for rural 

 schools. By an interchange of classes the agricultural school teaches 

 the rural teachers to handle these subjects in their schools in a very 

 creditable manner. 



Course of study in the county schools of agriculture and domestic 

 economy, in Dunn and Marathon counties, Wisconsin. The course covers 

 two years of eight months each, beginning in October and closing- in 

 May.' 



REGULAR COURSE OF STUDY. 



Young Men. 

 First Year. 



Fir.st Term — Work with soil *5; carpentry, d. 5; English and library reading, 5; business arith- 

 metic, 5. 



Second Term — Soils and fertilizers, 5; dairying, d. 2; carpentry, d. 3; English and library reading, 

 5; farm accounts, 5: rural arclritecture, d. 2. 



Third Term — Plant life, 5; vegetable, flower and fruit gardening, 5; poultr.v, 3; English and library 

 . reading, 5. 



Second Year. 



First Term — Plant life, 5; blacksmithing, d. 5; economic insects and diseases, 5; English and library 

 reading, .5. 



Second Term — Animal husbandry, 5; blacksmithing, d. 5; United States history, 5; English and 

 library reading, 5. 



Third Term — Animal husbaadry, 5: vegetable, flower and fruit gardening, 5; English and library 

 reading, 5; civil government, 5. 



