KDITORJAL. 605 



'J'licrc is vvvvy rciisoii why llic breed iiii;' work as a whole should be 

 phiced iij)on a more scientific basis. It has become a [)rominent fea- 

 ture of the work of the stations, and the practical results attained 

 have aroused interest and confidence in it. Already attention is being 

 given by the more progressive farmers to selection, the use of im- 

 ])roved seed, etc., and the woi-k of the stations and others is therefore 

 linding practical application in their hands. The greatest need of this 

 work is inipro\('(l methods and a better understanding of the princi- 

 })les involved, in order (hat observation may be guided and the inter- 

 pretation of results made more sure. 



A^'ith the i-etirement of Dean W. A. Henry from active service at 

 the close of this year, the agricultural colleges and experiment stations 

 will miss a very potent influence for development and an intelligent 

 and enthusiastic advocate of their cause. For twenty-seven years 

 Professor Henry has labored energetically and unceasingly for the 

 recognition and upl)uilding of agricultural education and experimen- 

 tation, not only in his own State, but in a national way. His success 

 has been an insjjiration, and has gone a long Avay toward winning 

 favor for agricultural instruction as well as pointing the way to reach- 

 ing the farmers and their sons. 



His career has characterized him as emphatically a num of action. 

 All that he has achieved came through hard, persistent work. He 

 believed in agricultural education and was determined to see its 

 value recognized. If this could not be accomplished under the con- 

 ventional method of teaching, he was ready to develop and test a new 

 plan, and he had the courage of conviction necessary to carry it out 

 in the face of doubt, if not opposition. And so he organized in 188() 

 the first successful short course in agriculture in this country ; and 

 when its success had been demonstrated he established the first dairy 

 school in America in 1800. Four years later he started the ten-day 

 course for adult farmers, which attracted one hundred and seventy- 

 five men the first year, and was attended this year by six hundred and 

 seven farmers. 



He took a ])ers()iial, indivichial interest in the students of these 

 courses. He made special effort to follow their subsequent careers 

 in order to study tiu' benefits of the courses and means of strengthen- 

 ing them, and the success of these young men in a business way, as 

 leaders in their comnuniities, or in teaching, was a matter of the keen- 

 est gratification to him. Tn a very large measure the short course in 

 agriculture is an institution of his making, and in later years he has 

 turned his attention to the development of the long course and post- 

 gi'aduate work. He also interested himself in agricultural instruc- 

 tion through secondary schools, and had a i)art in the establishment 

 of agricultural high schools in Wisconsin. 



