CONVENTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES. 325 



The report of the committee on methods of teaching- agriculture, 

 presented by A. C. True, was on the relation of the natural sciences 

 to agriculture in a four-j'ears' course, and presented a plan for a course 

 of stud}'^ including these iiatural sciences and noting in ))rief the prin- 

 cipal subjects under each to be covered. The report pointed out that 

 the older method of arranging the courses in agriculture tended to 

 make specialists in such subjects as agricultural chemistry or vegeta- 

 ble pathology, rather than to make trained agriculturists. It was 

 urged that there should be a sufficient period of general study before 

 specialties are taken up, and that the paths of the specialist and the 

 agriculturist should early diverge. The college course can not be 

 expected to tit men for expert work in this Department, the experi- 

 ment stations, and similar institutions, but for such work at least a 

 master's degree and ere long the doctor's degree will likely be 

 re(iuired. This paper brought out much discussion, illustrating the 

 marked interest which has developed within the past few years in 

 the matter of courses of study and in agricultural education of dif- 

 ferent grades. The work of this committee was highly commended 

 and was pronounced one of the most important features of the asso- 

 ciation's work. 



There was considerable discussion of the subject of the graduate 

 school of agriculture, and the hope was expressed that it may be pos- 

 sible to arrange for a session of this school next summer. This matter 

 was placed in the hands of the committee on graduate study at Wash- 

 ington, whose title was changed by dropping "at Washington," so as 

 to make it the committee on graduate study. President Northrop 

 withdrew from this committee, owing to his inability to satisfactorily 

 look after its interests, and President C. W. Dabney was appointed 

 chairman in his place, the vacancy on the committee being filled by 

 the appointment of L. H. Baile3^ 



The report of the standing coumiittee on military instruction in 

 land-grant colleges was made by G. W. Atherton. The conmiittee 

 reported interviewing the officials of the War Department in charge of 

 military instruction in the land-grant colleges, and receiving from 

 them an unfavorable report relative to any change ])eing made in 

 General Orders 94, which increases the amount of military instruction 

 in the colleges and reduces the detail of officers to two years. This 

 order was characterized by the chairman and })y other speakers as 

 impossible of execution, and called forth a vigorous discussion which 

 resulted in the adoption of a resolution requesting the committee on 

 military instruction to continue its efforts to secure a modification of 

 General Orders 94, and to fornudate a practicable scheme for mili- 

 tary instruction at the colleges. 



The standing conmiittee on agricultural engin(?ering presented its 

 lirst report through W. E. Stone, chairman. The report pointed out 



