1256 New Yokk State Agricultural Society 



common district school giving an approved course in nature 

 study." 



Mr. Tucker: As this report embodies resolutions, it is referred 

 to the resolutions committee, who will report to the meeting of the 

 society as distinguished from this general convention meeting. The 

 subject will Le amplilied by Mr. Arthur D. Dean, Chief, Division 

 of Vocational Schools, State Department of Education, who will 

 address us on Progress in Agricultural Education in jSTew York 

 State. 



PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN NEW YORK STATE 



Arthur D. Dean 



For one hundred fifty years agriculture has been regarded as 

 a proper subject for school study and a quarter of a century has 

 passed since the first successful high school of agriculture was 

 opened in this country. But we are still talking about introducing 

 agricultural teaching. However, we have learned some things rela- 

 tive to its workings. 



There are certain points common to the most successful systems, 

 among which are; 



1. The schools are so located that pupils may receive instruc- 

 tion from specially trained teachers and live at home where they 

 may help their parents with the daily chores. 



2. The conditions for the establishment of the schools are such 

 that local investment is necessary in order to secure state aid. 



3. The administration is centralized and expert assistance 

 given. 



That the principles underlying the above conditions are of im- 

 portance in the organization of the individual school is shown by 

 the fact that the activities of many successful schools are based 

 upon one or more of these principles. 



In the State of Kew York there are in successful operation 

 twenty-seven schools of agriculture, mechanic arts and home- 

 making organized in accordance with and maintained under the 

 provisions of Article 22 of the Education Law. Eleven of tliese 

 schools are taking up this work for tlio first time this fall. The 

 remaining sixteen are fortified with the oxporiences of a year. 

 At present there are 1,704 boys and girls studying agriculture in 

 the twenty-seven vocational courses in agriculture in our high 



