CONVENTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. 547 



From a careful exaiuiiiatiou of the catalogues wo believe it to be practicable, 

 either now or in the near future, for these institutions to unite in requiring as a 

 uiiuiiuum for ailinission to their lowest collegiate class: I'liysical geography; 

 United States history; arithmetic, including the metric system; algebra, to quad- 

 ratics; English gnunniar and composition, together with the English requirements 

 of the New England Association of Colleges and I'reparatory S(diool8. 



(2) That approximately 15 hours be devoted to recitations or lectures each week, 

 for 3G weeks eacli year; that 10 hours laboratory work or practicums be adde<l. 



(o) That the following list of studies be included in every course leading to a 

 ba< helor's degree: 



Hoius. Hours. 



Algebra 75 Modern languages 340 



Geometry 40 Psychology 60 



Trigonometry 40 Ethics or logic 40 



Physics (class-room work) 75 Political economy 60 



Physics (lal)oratory work) 75 General history 80 



Chemistry (class-room work) 75 Constitutional law 50 



Chemistry (laboratory work) 75 



English 200 Total 1,285 



(4) That the degree of Bachelor of Science bo recognized as the standard degree 

 conferred by the colleges of this Association. 



The report was adopted with the following prefatory dedaration: 



That the schemes of studies presented for admission to the colleges and for gradu- 

 ation therefrom are suggestive and tentative, not to be considered as of necessity or 

 binding upon the colleges which may assent to the adoption of said report, and sub 

 ject, without prejudice as to equal efficiency, to such substitution of other studies 

 of equal and similar educative value for those named in the schemes as the peculiar 

 conditions of the several colleger may make necessary 



This report provoked considerable discussion, the modern languages 

 requirement being especially opposed 



G. W. Dabney, jr., Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, read a paper 

 on "Civil service in the Department of Agriculture,' in which he dis- 

 cussed in detail the growth in recent years and the present condition 

 of civil service in this Department. All employees above the grade of 

 unskilled laborer or worker, except the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, 

 and Chief of the Weather Bureau, are now in the classified service. 

 A plan of examinations for establishing lists of eligibles suited to the 

 requirements of the Department was outlined. The main object of 

 this plan is to afford opportunities for graduates of agricultural col- 

 leges and technical schools to enter, through competitive examinations, 

 not only the higher positions, but also to receive "temiiorary employ- 

 'ment in the minor positions of the Department where they would have 

 0])portunities for observation and study which would fit them for better 

 work" and ultimately for })ronioti()n to the higher grades. 



The need of an administrative ofticer who could give continuity to 

 the scientific work of the Department was pointed out. The Secretary 

 of Agriculture has recommended to Congress the appointment of an 

 additional officer in the Department "to be known as director-in-chief 



' U. S. Dept. Agr., Office of Experiment Stations Circular 33. 



