Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 305, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1913 — AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN WESTERN CANADA [ARTICLE]

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN WESTERN CANADA

THE LATEST METHODS ADOPTED BY THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.

Scientific farming can be pursued with more profit and advantage in Western Canada, probably than in any other portion of the continent What may be achieved by it may be ascertained when it is known what has been accomplished by the Jhousands who have been following the occupation for some time and made a success of it with not even a theoretical knowledge. They “have tickled the land with a hoe” and become rich. But the question is how long could that continue. The soil and the climate and every other condition favor great results ,by a pursuit of such methods as and practical knowledge will bring. There is in the writer’s opinion no possibility of failure. Fully aware of this and also of the great potentialities that exist in Western Canada for the following ofthe profession of farming, as it could be developed and carried on in Western Canada, the various governments have established the machinery, that there may be developed a class of farmers, who in the possession of the rich soil of that country, with its abundant humus and its phosphates and other properties with which it is do largely endowed, will make of the country, the greatest farming portion, of the known world. The Dominion government showed its paternalism years ago when it established experimental farms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan* The benefits of these in the matter of practical education have been widespread, but the greatest benefit is to be observed in the immediate vicinity of these farms, where the occupants have brought th,eir holdings into a high state of cultivation, and year after year sees an added value. , .The Province of Manitoba is supplementing this work by its excellent agricultural college, manned by professors of the highest standing in their various branches. That this work is appreciated is shown by the large attendance, not only of the farmer’s sons, but by the farmer himself and also by the sons of business men and professors who intend following farming as a profession, and that is what it is fast becoming. The Province of Saskatchewan, alive to the necessity of a higher and a better system of farming, has in connection with its university an agricultural college and what it is doing today in the matt.er of education will be felt for all time to come, and it will not be long before it will be an easy matter to pick out the farms manned by graduates of this college, or the farms owned by those who have gained from the experience taught by their neighbor. The same may be said of Alberta. The university at Edmonton has a complete agricultural college. Full advantage of this is taken by hundreds of students anxious to better their agricultural knowledge, and fit them to take hold successfully of the lands that they expect to occupy. This province has also added demonstration farms in various parts, which are very successful, inasmuch as farmers visit them from all parts, and take advantage of educating themselves for short periods during each winter.

College, lowa, says: "We of the United States think that we know how to get behind agriculture and push, but the Canadians dare to do even more than we do in some respects. Jhey have wonderful faith in the future; they hesitate at no dindertaking that offers prospects of results. More significant still is the wide co-operation for agricultural promotion, including the government, private Individuals and corporations and the railroads.”

“Canadians are putting great faith In education for the development of their resources —not the old education, ‘but vocational and technical. Provinces that have less than half the population of lowa and much less wealth are appropriating more liberally for colleges and schools. Manitoba, for instance, has in the last two years provided about as much money for the building of an agricultural plant as lowa has appropriated in half a century. It has given in two years |2,500,000 for buildings and grounds for its agricultural institutions. “Saskatchewan is building a plant for its university and agricultural college on a broader and more substantial plan than has been applied to any similar institution in this country. Yet neither province has more than half a million population.

“For public schools equally generous provision is made. They are be; Ing built up to give vocational and technical training as well as cultural. They fit the needs of the country excellently and should turn out fine types of boys and girls. They do this with a remarkable faith in the value of right education. “Dean Curtiss was. much Interested In the many other ways the Canadian government aids agriculture, aside from appropriations for educational purposes. They are aiding in solving marketing problems; they are encouraging better breeding of livestock by buying sires and reselling them at cost, and they are doing many other things of like character.

“I found that the government is advancing from 50 to 85 per cent of the money necessary to build co-opera-tive creameries and elevators.” said Dean Curtiss, “and it is doing it at a low rate of interest and on long time payments. Where cattle need breeding up, tho government buys bulls of

dairy. Shorthorn, or special dairy breeds and sends them in at cost price and on long time payments.” The yield of grain in Western Canada in 1913 was excellent but not abnormal, wheat going from 30 to 45 bushels per acre, and other small grain with equally good averages.—Advertisement