330 ANNUAL REPORT 



The following paper was read by Prof. Pendergast: 

 THE NEW SCHOOL OF AGEICULTUEE. 



By Prof. W. W. Pendergast, St. Antliony Park. 



The primary object of the Minnesota State School of Agricul- 

 ture is to bring together as large a number of the intelligent and 

 ambitious farmer boys of the state, as the resources of the institu- 

 tion will permit, for the purpose of giving them a scientific, 

 practical training in the elementary principles of agriculture, 

 horticulture and allied industries to the end that these pursuits 

 may be conducted with greater skill and judgment, and that they 

 may be helped forward to the high position in public esteem and 

 honor which of right is theirs. 



For the successful accomplishment of these objects a somewhat 

 extended and thorough drill in certain branches not bearing 

 directly upon the cultivation of the soil seems to be essential. 



First — The mind of the student must be strengthened and pre- 

 pared by proper discipline, to grapple with and finally to master 

 the perplexing problems that will be continually coming up for 

 solution as he advances in the line of work marked out for him. 



Second — As a foundation for the intelligent prosecution of the 

 studies for which the school was organized, there must be a 

 knowledge of the principles which underlie them, and without 

 which the time spent upon the desired branches would be well- 

 nigh thrown away. Agricultural chemistry, for instance, might 

 seem to call only for a knowledge of the few elementary substances 

 which enter into organic life, but this knowledge can not be 

 attained by one who is entirely destitute of general chemical dis- 

 cipline. The same is true of veterinary science, entomology, the 

 theory of plant growth. In short, of every branch of scientific 



agriculture. 



The requirements for admission into the state school are neces- 

 sarily moderate in order that its benefits may be brought within 

 the reach of the average farmer boys, for whose improvement it 

 was designed. 



If the standard could be so raised, as to require at least a year 

 of training in the natural sciences before entering, the work of the 

 school would be more complete and satisfactory, unless we take 

 an extra year at the beginning of the course for preparatory 

 work. The foundation on which our boys are to stand should 

 be as broad and firm as possible, and the parent makes a great 



