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THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
THE SHORT COURSE IN AGRICULTURE. 
AN INDIANA STUDENT TALKS. 
For several years past, Purdue University has been 
offering a special midwinter course in agriculture for 
the benefit of young farmers, who are not so situated 
as to be able to take a regular course. It was my 
good fortune to be able to attend during the 11 weeks’ 
term of last winter. The short course at Purdue con¬ 
sists of several distinct lines of work, and each student 
is given an opportunity to choose those lines in which 
he is most interested. The instruction is given chiefly 
by means of lectures and such experiments as are 
practical at that season of the year. One important 
series of lectures is that on live stock husbandry and 
veterinary hygiene. The several classes and breeds 
of live stock are discussed. Diseases of stock, how to 
prevent and how to cure them, is a leading feature in 
this part of the work. The students are given an op¬ 
portunity to judge stock, both with and without the 
use of the score card. Besides making use of the stock 
kept at the experiment station farm for this purpose, 
excursions are made to neighboring stock farms, 
where the finest specimens of stock are kept, so that 
the students have very good facilities for this kind of 
work. They are also required to do a certain amount 
of work in the veterinary hospital where they may 
acquire a practical knowledge of diseases, blemishes 
and wounds, and are taught how to treat them. 
Horticulture is taught by means of lectures, labora¬ 
tory practice, and such experiments as can be carried 
on in the winter season. Occasionally, when the 
weather is pleasant enough for it, the students are 
given an opportunity of doing some experimental 
work in the orchards, under the direction of the hor¬ 
ticulturist of the experiment station. The lectures 
on horticulture embrace the topics of orcharding, 
small fruit growing, propagation of plants, nursery 
culture, transplanting, grafting, budding, market 
gardening and landscape gardening. 
The dairy is well represented, both as to instruction 
and practice. On the station farm, there is a dairy 
building, supplied with testers, separators, churns 
and butterworkers, and here the dairy students are 
required to spend three afternoons each week. They 
“ learn to do by doing ”—a method of instruction 
which is advocated by many of our most advanced 
educators, and which some of them style the “ new 
education”. This work of testing, churning, separat¬ 
ing, and preparing butter for market, is a very valua¬ 
ble part of the young dairyman’s education. On the 
other two afternoons of the week, they listen to 
lectures, and note the results of experiments made in 
the dairy room. So that here, as in the other lines, 
practice and science are taught together. 
“ Soils and crops ” is another subject that is taught 
by the combined methods of lectures and experiments. 
The character, quality and texture of many different 
kinds of soil are discussed, and the methods sug¬ 
gested for handling each one to the best advantage. 
Drainage, tillage, fertilizers and rotation of crops are 
discussed at some length, also agricultural chemistry 
comes in for a share of attention, about 20 lectures 
being devoted to the subject. The chief topics handled 
under this head are the chemistry of manures and 
fertilizers, feeding rations and how to compound 
them, and the relation of feeding stuffs to fertility. 
About 20 lectures are given on rural law, or, rather, 
legal topics of interest to farmers. These lectures 
embrace such topics as highways, line fences, tres¬ 
passing stock, landlord and tenant, contracts, prom¬ 
issory notes, deeds, and many others of equal or 
greater importance. This series of lectures alone is 
really worth the cost of the whole short course. With 
the exception of those on law, all of these lectures 
are given by the agricultural faculty of the Univer¬ 
sity. Besides these, there is a series of practical lec¬ 
tures, one each day throughout the term, by practical 
farmers, stock breeders and horticulturists, who have 
been exceptionally successful in their respective lines 
of work. These lectures embrace all of the subjects 
mentioned above. Besides, particular attention is paid 
to the details of farm management, and the economic 
side of agriculture. 
No doubt, many young men who have thought of 
taking a course like this, will ask, What can be learned 
in so short a term as 11 weeks ? or, Will it pay to 
spend the time and money that will be required to 
take this course ? My answer, based on my own ex¬ 
perience and observation, is that it will pay. In fact, 
I believe that no young man can afford to miss such 
an opportunity, unless he can do what is better still, 
take a more extended course. It may not always pay 
at once, directly in dollars and cents ; yet, in many 
cases, it will. It will help many a young farmer who 
is about to begin farming on his own account, to 
better understand the principles which underlie the 
science of agriculture, and to make that knowledge 
contribute to his own profit. Having spent the 
greater part of his life on the farm, he has already 
acquired a somewhat extended experience, and the 
opportunity to study and think and observe will make 
his experience more valuable to him than it could be 
made otherwise. Besides, there are, in many locali¬ 
ties, farmers who would be glad to retire from active 
farm labor, if they could secure the services of intelli¬ 
gent and competent young men to take charge of their 
farms and live stock. By applying himself diligently 
to the work that is set before him in this short course, 
almost any bright young farmer can prepare himself 
to accept such responsibilities and to render services 
that will command good wages. 
One point that should not be omitted in connection 
with this course is, that it brings together a number 
cf intelligent young farmers from all sections of the 
State, thus giving them an opportunity for an inter¬ 
change of views and experiences. Each one learns 
something of the agriculture of different sections 
from his own, and this has a tendency to enlarge his 
views and to do away with that petty narrowness 
which, too often, is characteristic of the agricultural 
class. The students who were in last winter’s class, 
almost without exception, were well satisfied with 
their work. Many of them expressed a desire to re¬ 
turn at some future time and take up some other lines 
than those which they pursued then. I should be 
glad to do so myself. The same sentiment prevailed 
in previous classes, and we had, in our class, several 
former short-course students. It seems to me that 
this testimony of appreciation on the part of students 
of the past, should go far toward convincing those 
who are doubtful as to the value of the short course, 
that it is fully as good as its projectors claim it to be. 
What has been said of the short course at Purdue 
University, will, probably, apply, substantially, to 
similar courses offered by the agricultural colleges of 
other States. Wherever this kind of a course is 
offered, it should be liberally patronized by the young 
farmers of the State. The R. N.-Y. can do a good 
service by calling attention, from time to time, to this 
feature of agricultural college work, and urging its 
young readers to avail themselves of the opportuni¬ 
ties thus offered better to equip themselves for their 
vocation. h. s. k. bahtholomew. 
Indiana. 
A REPORT FROM A FARMER’S FAIR. 
WHAT THE EXHIBITS SHOW. 
Notes on Live Stock and Tools. 
The Hornellsville (N. Y.) Fair was a great success 
this year. While exhibits of manufactured articles 
and those for luxury or pleasure were fewer in num¬ 
ber than formerly, the classes of purely farm exhibits 
were larger than in previous years. Think of 10 to 20 
entries in each class of sheep, when people are say¬ 
ing, “ You cannot give sheep away.” Dr. Smead, the 
veteran judge, said, “ Ordinary sheep are so cheap, 
and competition in show sheep is so keen, that only 
the best are now retained for breeding.” A shipper 
who stood looking at a pen of young sheep, said, “ I 
will give $3 each for them.” A farmer standing by, 
said, “I can get only $2 for mine.” The exhibitor 
made both stare by saying, “I refused $10 for them 
this morning.” 
I notice a falling off of interest in horses, and, out¬ 
side of breeding establishments, there is scarcely a 
young colt in the country. Hogs were exhibited in 
great numbers of all kinds. Owing to the increased 
number of judges who believe that a breeding animal 
should not be fat enough to be slaughtered to win a 
premium, stock can be exhibited now without being 
ruined by feeding. Overfeeding has been carried to 
its greatest excess among breeders of swine, and I 
am pleased to note the change. 
The butter breeds seem to take the lead in numbers 
and interest among cattle. One imported bull seemed 
about perfect, and F. S. Peer remarked, “ We should 
use more imported bulls and retain the true Jersey 
type.” I conclude, from his remarks and the appear¬ 
ance of some remarkably poor specimens I have seen, 
that we are not particular enough in our selections 
for breeding, and that our climate, care and the char¬ 
acter of our foods produce variations from the true 
type, not always to be desired. 
The poultry department gives evidence of the in¬ 
creasing popularity of the “ business hen”, and the 
tendency among farmers to study the former side 
issues. The judge said, “ I have met more well- 
developed chicks this year than ever.” The average 
farmer is learning that a pullet should lay enough 
eggs the first winter to pay the cost of raising. There 
is a fight between the breeders and farmers over the 
Black Minorcas. The professionals want an over¬ 
grown, long-legged, black-skinned bird. They lay 
eggs too big for profit, and some hens are injured in 
their efforts to drop them. Great skill and care are 
required to grow them up to the standard size. The 
farmers are building up flocks of smaller, compact 
birds, that lay a beautiful white egg larger than the 
Leghorn. These flocks are proving good layers, good 
feeders, and the eggs are in demand ; but they might 
as well stay at home from the fair as far as premiums 
are concerned. The judge spoke very highly of the 
Andalusians, and thinks that they are remarkably 
good eating, in addition to their laying quality. 
The Planet Jr. people seem to read the papers. The 
teachings of the agricultural press have been, “ Shal¬ 
low, frequent, level cultivation.” How to keep the 
cultivator from going too deep and cutting off the 
roots, has been the problem. Dropping the wheel in 
front causes the hind end to run deeper. The two 
levers now on all up-to-date cultivators were liable to 
catch and bend if the machine was turned down on 
the side and dragged to the field. The problem is 
solved by an arm which is attached to the lever which 
operates the wheel, so that the cultivator can be 
made to ride on it, and dig any depth. This arm is 
under the center, and follows the center tooth when 
marking out or on a sidehill, and prevents sliding. A 
straighter mark and greater ease in holding are 
claimed in addition to the solution of the other prob¬ 
lem. With the different sizes and shapes of teeth, all 
of which fit one frame, any kind of a crop can be 
cared for and soil put in any shape. I have used one 
for 13 years, and find that I have only just begun to 
learn its possibilities. The sweeps proved a blessing 
last season in a field infested with Canada thistles. 
A spring-tooth harrow on wheels has been one of 
my ideas for several years. One with two on the rear 
bar and one in front made to turn in any direction for 
each half, was shown. With handles attached, a half 
would be a good thing to cultivate berries, as one 
could turn it around on the wheels at the end. The 
only objection I have to the “sled-runner ” frames is 
the wear. It seems to me that the wheels must sink 
into the soft earth and draw hard. Who has used 
them? We cannot tell by looking at a machine on 
the fair ground what it will do. The potato planter 
and corn busker and shredder are the only new ma¬ 
chines noticed. c. e. chapman. 
THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR. 
The New York State Agricultural Society held its 
annual exhibition at the permanent grounds of the 
society, Syracuse, N. Y., during the first week of 
September. As a whole, the fair was a creditable 
success ; the exhibits in some departments, however, 
were not so large as in former years, but the quality 
made up, in some measure, for the size. This is 
especially true of the fruit exhibit which, though not 
up to the average in size, was very fine in quality, 
and well represented in the matter of variety. The 
exhibit of apples from the Geneva Experiment Station 
was most creditable. As we remember it, there were 
something over 150 varieties, and it was a difficult 
matter to find a single imperfect apple. In the stock 
department, the exhibit of cattle and horses was 
unusually light, but that of sheep and hogs was, 
apparently, larger than ever before, and it is doubt¬ 
ful whether a finer lot were ever exhibited at the 
New York State Fair. 
The manufacturers of farm machinery were well 
represented, including several manufacturers from 
the middle and western States. While this exhibit 
was, probably, up to the average, it was smaller than 
at other times. The attendance, for the most part, 
was light. Thursday, however, promised to be a 
large day in the morning, but along in the middle of 
the forenoon rain set in, and kept up an incessant 
downpour for the remainder of the day, rendering 
the grounds in very bad shape and keeping thousands 
of people away. Aside from the weather, however, 
there seems to be a general falling off in the attend¬ 
ance at fairs this year, which, no doubt, is caused by 
the unusual business depression at this time. 
In their very commendable zeal to make the fair a 
success, and amuse, as well as instruct, visitors, the 
management allowed some side shows on the grounds, 
which, for the most part, might be classed as harm¬ 
less, if not a means of edification. One of this sort 
was a so-called Parisian theater, which, for a time, 
attracted some attention and considerable criticism. 
The attention of the management, however, having 
been called to the objectionable features of this so- 
called show, it was soon found that the contract re¬ 
stricted them from any exhibit of an objectionable 
nature, and their place was promptly closed. This 
exhibit was of such a disgusting character that we 
should gladly refrain from any reference to it what¬ 
ever ; but, inasmuch as it drew out a great deal of 
criticism during the first day of the exhibit, the atten¬ 
tion of the authorities not having been called to it, it 
is only right to say that it was promptly suppressed 
as soon as it had come to their attention. It might 
be well to emphasize the point right here that public 
sentiment can usually suppress a nuisance of this 
kind very promptly, if the right means are taken to 
do it, and it is always better to make protests against 
such public nuisances to the authorities that have 
the means of suppressing them, than to complain 
about them in quarters where it is not likely to come 
to the ears of the proper authorities. 
D. 
