26 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 



Courses of study vary much in their treatment of agriculture 

 as a school subject. The newness of the subject is usually recog- 

 nized by special directions and suggestions for teaching. These 

 are generally given in a state school manual or handbook for 

 teachers. In some states they are in separate publications. In 

 New York, for example, suggestions are outlined in syllabi, one 

 for elementary schools and one for high schools. In other states 

 bulletins on certain phases of the subject are issued, as in Michi- 

 gan. 



Perhaps the most significant fact showing the widespread 

 general interest in agricultural education in elementary and sec- 

 ondary schools is the attitude of the administrative officers of the 

 various state departments of education. Special mention of the 

 subject is made in nearly all of the latest annual or biennial re- 

 ports from these offices. In some reports considerable space is 

 given to discussions of industrial education with particular refer- 

 ence to agriculture. 



Finally, if any interpretation is to be made of the attitude of 

 state departments of education toward agricultural education it 

 must be remembered that these offices represent the people, and 

 that any policy or action taken is in a certain sense an ex- 

 pression of public opinion. 



