122 TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the like, which require careful experimentation. The experimental farm 

 could be of great value in fostering and extending this important industry 

 by trying to solve these problems and also by demonstrating the economic 

 correlation of poultry to the dairy. 



The writer has noticed a scarcity of mutton breeds of sheep in the 

 State, and is of the opinion that there exists here a place for them and a 

 place which means money to the individuals who will handle them 

 properly. To make a study of the various breeds and their adaptability 

 to our varying conditions is a problem well worth the while of the 

 State University to undertake. Attention could also be profitably 

 paid to the beef and swine industries, making a study along lines similar 

 to those indicated above. 



Two reasons make it a paramount necessity that all these divisions 

 of agricultural work should be centralized: First, because they could 

 be more economically administered; second, because only when central- 

 ized could they be of the best service to the State in educating all those 

 who attend the College of Agriculture. 



It is to be hoped that in addition to the present four-year course in 

 agriculture and in connection with the experimental farm, courses of 

 varying length from two or three months to a year or two may be pro- 

 vided in the College of Agriculture. All farm boys are not able to take 

 a four-year or even a two-year course, but they desire in a short time to 

 gain as much knowledge as possible of the fundamental principles 

 underlying all farm operations and their application to practice. The 

 courses, then, should aim to be made as practical as possible with the 

 view to teach men to be farmers and better farmers. The end of all 

 true education is first to teach men to be men, second to equip them in 

 the best and most practical way to be masters of their particular 

 vocation. 



WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING. 



While we are considering the question of agricultural education it 

 may be of interest to know what some Eastern States are providing for 

 the enlightenment of their farm boys and girls. I quote from a circular 

 recently received from Ithaca, New York: "A winter course in agricul- 

 ture designed to meet the need of busy farmers' sons. The College of 

 Agriculture of Cornell University endeavors to improve the position of 

 the New York farmer in three ways: (I) Through the regular means 

 of instruction given in the special course of two years, the regular course 

 of four years, and the post-graduate courses. These lines of study are 

 designed to meet the desires of those who have time, inclination, and 

 money to complete them. (2) By means of a winter course in agricul- 

 ture and allied branches, arranged to meet the needs of farmers, gar- 

 deners, and their sons, who are unable to spare the time necessary to 



