KANSAS STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 37 



of the campus, and its origin is of some interest. In the second 

 biennial report of the College, 1879-'80, Prof. H. E. Van Deman 

 states: "Accompanied by some of my class, I went to the woods 

 and procured some four hundred plants of the American Ivy 

 (Ampelopsis virginiana), and placed them at the base of all of th 

 College buildings except the barn." This may not have been the 

 very first, but evidently it was the most extensive planting. Pro- 

 fessor Van Deman was here less than a year, September 3, 1878, 

 to May 21. 1879. He filled a prominent place in horticultural 

 work in the country. 



The first term in the Kansas State Agricultural College began 

 September 2, 1863, and closed December 1, 1863. Twenty-biz 

 young men and an equal number of young women were enrolled. 



The first Faculty of the College was organized in July, 1863. 

 and included: Rev. Joseph Denison, president, mental and moral 

 science and ancient languages; J. E. Schnebly, mathematics ana 

 natural science; Miss Belle M. Haines, teacher in Preparatory 

 Department; Miss C. E. Beckwith, teacher of melodeon and piano. 



December 3, 1863, Rev. N. O. Preston was elected professor 

 of mathematics and English literature, and J. Evarts Platt was 

 elected principal of the Preparatory Department and professor of 

 vocal music. These gentlemen did not begin their service before 

 the next spring, and perhaps not until the next fall term. 



Industrial work has been a prominent feature of student 

 instruction here for over forty years. The annual report for 1S71 

 records the existence of a "labor class" in agriculture in which 

 students were enrolled, and upon which regular attendance was 

 required. The students were paid for this labor at an average 

 rate of 15.5 cents per hour. Enrollment was voluntary, but "after 

 such enrollment, prompt attendance, as in other class and College 

 exercises," was required. Student labor had been employed 

 previously, but this is the first record of its organization as a class. 

 This was under Supt. Fred E. Miller. 



In the judgment of President Anderson, "The first systematic 

 teaching of practical agriculture in this institution" was given by 

 Elbridge Gale, professor of horticulture, who, while acting super- 

 intendent of the farm, February and March, 1874, organized a 

 class of nine young men "in practical agriculture, and a course of 

 elementary lectures was commenced, embracing discussion of such 

 subjects as seemed of the most obvious importance." 



The first pure-bred animals were purchased in 1873, being 

 selected by Regent J. K. Hudson and Major Fred E. Miller, super- 

 intendent of the farm. Cattle, swine, and poultry were included. 



Alfalfa was first sown by the College the first week in April, 

 1875. One and one-half or two acres were put in, using California 

 seed. The results were so satisfactory to Professor Shelton that 

 he put in six acres the next spring. 



