79 



INSTRUCTION IN AGRONOMY 



The method of instruction in agronomy adopted at the Gottingen 

 Agricultural Institute is of interest to the student of agriculture 

 because of the rich material for illustration and demonstration at 

 hand and the excellent opportunity which the excursions made to the 

 manv laro-e estates in the surrounding country otter for studying dif- 

 ferent systems of farming under German conditions. The American 

 student will find the work done in this line full of suggestions and 

 directly applicable at least to Eastern conditions. The instruction is 

 carried on by means of lectures, laboratory work, demonstration on 

 the experimental grounds and in the garden, agricultural excursions, 

 and the agricultural seminar. This work is in charge of the director 

 of the agricultural experimental grounds, Prof. C. von Seelhorst, 

 who is also professor of agronomy in the university. 



Lectures and laboratory worl:— The courses of lectures offered in 

 agronomy are, in the winter semester, general plant production (plant 

 life) and breeding of agricultural crops; in the summer semester, 

 culture of special crops, and weeds and plant diseases. The charac- 

 teristics of the various kinds of grains, roots, tubers, and other agri- 

 cultural crops are discussed in the special course, specimens of grain 

 in the sheaf, potatoes, seeds, etc., being supplied in each case, and 

 botanical charts and other illustrative material shown. The la})ora- 

 tory instruction is given throughout the year one afternoon in the 

 week. It consists of microscopical and agricultural examinations of 

 concentrated feeding stuffs as to more important adulterations, qual- 

 ity, etc.; further seed tests, and. in the winter semester, studies of 

 plant diseases. Chemical analyses of crops, soils, fertilizers, etc.. are 

 made only as required in special investigations, the general methods 

 adopted in the laboratory work being such as the students will be 

 likely to use and can use later on in their work on the farm. 



Demonstrations.— The demonstrations on the experimental grounds, 

 in the garden and the greenhouse are of special interest and value to 

 the students. They are given once a week (Monday morning from 7 

 to 8) during the whole year so long as there is anything of interest 

 agriculturally to be" seen outside. The writer attended all demonstra- 

 tions given during the summer semester of 19U1, and was pleased to 

 observe the interest which the students evidently took in the demon- 

 strations, as well as agreeably surprised to note the regularity with 

 which the students met at this rather unusual hour, a regularity which 

 was the more surprising as the attendance at lectures, in the summer 

 semester at least, at most German universities is far from regular. 

 The popularity of the professor in charge doubtless contributed to 

 bring about this result, but not more than did the practical nature of 

 the subject and the a))undant material for demonstration at hand. In 

 these demonstrations the professor would conduct the class to th© 



