AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION 241 



to teaching the art of farming, and one student 

 may sometimes prove to be a large class. 



I think too, that it will be found that most stu- 

 dents would prefer to learn farming at an academy 

 rather than at College and I am certain that it 

 would be better for them to do so. Supposing a 

 prospective college student is somewhat deficient 

 in the entrance requirements; what better place 

 than the agricultural academy in the quiet country 

 in which to make up deficiencies and obtain a slight 

 knowledge of farm practice? For the necessary 

 subjects only a few teachers would be required 

 in each academy. We already have many teachers 

 who have experience and proved ability in our 

 High Schools for every subject except agriculture 

 all that is needed is skill in selecting them and 

 that should be found among the colleges. 



I have just read an excellent address by Presi- 

 dent Raymond Pearson, of Iowa, given when he 

 was President of the New York Agricultural So- 

 ciety and Commissioner of Agriculture ; and I take 

 the liberty of making quotations and discussing it 

 because he was formerly one of my students and 

 because he is a leader in agricultural progress. 

 His clear insight is very refreshing: 



" Our agricultural problem today is more than any- 

 thing else a financial one. . . . The cheerless 



