18 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



We assert that agriculture has suffered in the past by the 

 withdrawal of some of its ablest followers to eno-agre in other 

 occupations and professions, and that the agricultural col- 

 leges can do patriotic work by causing students to be sur- 

 rounded by an atmosphere impregnated with agricultural 

 spirit and agricultural loyalty. 



We believe it should be our ami, wherever appropriations 

 are asked for by these institutions, and whenever policies 

 are being established through the appointment of college 

 officials or the adoption of regulations, to see to it that agri- 

 culture is kept at the front, and that the training of students 

 to become practical farmers or instructors in agriculture be 

 not relegated to the rear. Such effort as this is of the most 

 patriotic nature, and contributes to the welfare of the people 

 in general ; for whatever promotes more intelligent cultiva- 

 tion of the soil promotes greater prosperity among all the 

 people. The spirit of commercialism has permeated the 

 leaders in every industry and profession, and in some in- 

 stances made money-making a greater incentive to activity 

 than the promotion of principles that are important. This 

 tendency has been recognized by educational institutions of 

 all kinds, and prominence given to those departments that 

 fit people for making the greatest amount of money for 

 themselves, and sometimes to the neglect of those depart- 

 ments that fit people for promoting great fundamental indus- 

 tries. It is important to see that not merely farmers, but 

 the great cause of agriculture, does not suffer by the trend 

 of the industrial colleges away from this industry which 

 they were primarily established to promote, and chiefly in 

 the interest of which they are supposed to be maintained. 



Agriculture in Public Schools. 



The introduction of agricultural studies in public schools 

 will have far-reaching effect in the development of agricul- 

 tural sentiment and in [)opularizing the agricultural industry. 

 All true reform movements begin with the people, and but 

 little progress will be made in this matter imtil the people 

 demand it. It is becoming recognized by educational ex- 

 perts, in response to this demand, that mental developmewt 

 can be obtained as effectively through the study of such sub- 



