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been employed to give his entire time to the question of teaching agriculture in the public schools. He visits farmers' institutes and teachers' institutes, freely discussing these questions, and offers two courses of instruction during the university year. One of these courses is designed to train teachers for the secondary schools, and the other to train them for the grades. These courses are repeated in the summer session. The particular courses offered in 1907-8 are as follows:

1. Principles and methods of high school agriculture. This course, designed for students who have had not less than two years' work in agriculture, will be devoted mainly to considering what features of agricultural science are best adapted to high school conditions, the best order and methods of their presentation, how to suit the course and instruction to the special interests and needs of each school community, what laboratory work shall be given, what apparatus may be used, what field experiments can be planned and executed. 2. Elementary agriculture. This course is for those students who are preparing to teach in secondary schools, especially for teachers of science, but who have had no work in agriculture. A study of the soil, its origin, nature, functions, properties, and classification; problems of temperature, aeration, control of moisture; enrichment and impoverishment of the soil; the plant, how it feeds and grows, its modes of reproduction, factors in crop production, rotation, value and use of legumes, selection and testing of seed, their types and breeds, care and management; dairying, production of milk, testing and care of milk; farm plans, farm machinery; economics of agriculture.

3. Farmers' institute management.-A study of the farmers' institutes as a factor in our system of public education. This course is designed to set forth principles underlying the organization and conduct of farmers' institutes and agricultural associations and to systematize into definite lines the knowledge acquired in college to the end that the student may render more distinct service in institute and agricultural associations. Lectures; assigned readings and parliamentary practice.

NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.

In the New York State College of Agriculture at Cornell University a two-years' normal course in nature study, leading to regular academic credits, was organized in 1903, and this is now known as a normal department, with six persons giving instruction. This organization is the natural outgrowth of the nature study and other extension enterprise that has been under way in the institution for many years. Summer schools of nature study were held in 1899 and 1900. A regular summer session is in process of organization. A rural schoolhouse, accommodating thirty pupils and provided with workroom and located in a school garden, is part of the equipment. Following is the course of study for 1907-8:

This course is organized to help persons who expect to teach nature study and country-life subjects in the public schools. Persons actually engaged in

teaching and also all persons in the university who signify their intention to teach are eligible. A certificate will be given on the completion of sixty hours in the courses prescribed below, together with such other work in the College of Agriculture as may be approved by the director. Designed to prepare students to teach elementary agriculture. Practice work is given in the public schools of Ithaca.

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91. Nature study.-Lectures and discussion of methods. Credit, three hours. M., W., F., 12.

First half year.

92. Home nature-study work.-Work in the training classes in the Ithaca schools in which students are also to take part. Second half year. Credit, one hour. By appointment.

93. Practice work in nature study in the public schools of Ithaca, comprising schoolroom work, excursions, and other exercises with children. First half year. Credit, two hours. By appointment.

94. School gardens, comprising actual garden making with children on school grounds and in the university school gardens. In winter the work will be conducted in the forcing houses where plant-growing subjects will be taken up in such a way as to adapt them to elementary school conditions. Second half year. Credit, two hours.

98. Seminary in nature study and elementary agriculture.-Devoted to the study of the methods of teaching nature study and elementary agriculture, and to the review and criticism of courses now offered in our elementary and secondary schools. Credit, one or two hours. F., 12.

99. Nature study.-Advanced course. Individual work on special problems. Registration only after consultation.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

In the Teachers College of the University of Missouri provision is made for pedagogical work in agriculture. In this college John C. Whitten is "professor of the teaching of horticulture," and Frederick

B. Mumford "professor of the teaching of agriculture." The following courses are offered by these officers:

(a) Agriculture.

Professor MUMFORD.

1a. Soils and plant studies, with reference to agriculture.-This course will aim to give a clear general knowledge of the principles of agriculture. The character of the work is adapted to those who are preparing to teach in the elementary schools. Three times a week, first semester. Hours to be arranged. 2. The principles of agriculture.-Fundamental conceptions of soils, plants, and animals, and their application to agricultural practice. Lectures, reading, laboratory work, and field excursions. A course for high school and academy teachers. Three times a week. Hours to be arranged.

Other courses in agriculture may be elected by students in the Teachers College.

(b) Horticulture.

Professor WHITTEN.

1b. Cultivated plants.-How they grow under culture, their relation to their environments, and common methods of propagating and managing plants; the materials for a school garden and how to use them. Lectures and laboratory. This course is intended for those who are preparing to teach in elementary schools and who may not have time for the longer courses offered by the department. Three times a week. Hours to be arranged.

la and 2b. These two courses taken together constitute a year's work in which the topics mentioned in 1b are given fuller and more scientific treatment. They can be taken after 1b or independently of it, and are designed to meet the needs of those who are preparing to teach in any branch of biological science. Three times a week.

4a. The evolution of cultivated plants.-Lectures and assigned readings. A study of organic evolution as applied to the modifications of plants, particularly those in cultivation. Three times a week. Hours to be arranged. Other courses in horticulture are open to students in the Teachers College.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE.

The College of Agriculture of the University of Maine late in 1907 organized the following course in agriculture for those who intend to become teachers of this subject in the public schools:

This course is offered in response to a call for teachers capable of teaching elementary agriculture in schools and academies. In order to receive a degree one hundred and fifty hours, or 30 credits, must be received. The following course as laid down covers one hundred and forty-six hours. The remaining six hours have been purposely left open for elective work in order that the student may receive as liberal a training in cultural studies as is consistent with the amount of technical work necessary. It is recommended that the electives be taken from the departments of biology, history, economics, chemistry, physics, or English,

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NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC ARTS.

The North Carolina College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts is now providing a one-year normal course in agriculture, the following announcement of which will appear in the next catalogue of the college:

One-year normal course in agriculture, North Carolina College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts.

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Electives in college departments, e. g., agricultural chemistry, land surveying, physical and physical laboratory, drawing, and others.

NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

The College of Agriculture in North Dakota offers a "teachers' course," described as follows (1907-8):

Under the provisions of the "Nelson law" enacted by Congress in 1907 the following course is offered for the training of teachers, fitting them to teach the elements of mechanic arts and agriculture. It is also the aim of this course to provide the three terms' work in pedagogy which graduates must have in order to benefit by the statute entitling them to a State certificate on their diplomas. To the many students who frequently have to turn to teaching temporarily before completing their studies, this line of work will be found very helpful.

During the past three years regular work has been given in nature study and elements of agriculture in order to meet the rapidly increasing demand for rural teachers able to instruct in these subjects. In addition opportunity was given to review all subjects required for first and second grade certificates. As there was no desire to duplicate the courses of the normal schools or to enter on their field of pedagogy, the work was neither emphasized nor given prominence.

The new law, however, has marked out a definite field for agricultural colleges in the training of teachers and given them a mission in harmony with their general plan and purpose. In order to fit teachers to teach elements of mechanic arts and agriculture and fill positions in common, village, or city' schools, it has become necessary to add another year's work to the course as outlined heretofore. The units constituting this additional year are all, with the exception of the history of education, of a technical nature, and fall either under the head of mechanic arts or agriculture, or the pedagogy of these branches.

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