Montana State University Bozeman - Montanan Yearbook (Bozeman, MT)

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The student who is given practice in forming scientific opinions, based on observed facts, and who approaches each problem with a desire for truth and an open mind, is cultivating a true scientific spirit. Even in a technical school many of the best students should be attracted to the study of pure science for the sake of science itself. However, most of the science subjects are taught, necessarily, as prerequisites to studies in the technical courses. The benefits to be obtained by the student of applied science, either in Agriculture or Engineering, will depend, to a very large degree, upon the foundation that has been laid in the study of the pure science subjects of his course. The students of this institution should feel proud of the fact that those in authority, throughout the history of the college, have insisted that the fundamental sciences upon which the technical courses are based, should be well supported and that the instruction in these lines should be thorough and genuine. The excellent equipments in biology, chemistry, physics and geology give abundant evidence of the desire to make these subjects fulfill their true part in the kind of learning this college attempts to impart. As to the efficiency of the instruction given, each individual student can decide for himself by measuring his own progress and development under the system of science teaching which prevails in this institution. AGRICULTURE Perhaps the work and aim of the agricultural department of the college can best be described by calling attention to the plans and development of this department during the past five years. At that time the department had an existence largely in name only. Its buildings, live stock and equipment were not equal to what a good farmer would consider necessary to his success, and there were not enough men at the head of the work to do properly what was expected of them. In building up this department two main objects have been kept in mind: first, to provide men, specialists in the various phases of agriculture ; and second, to provide buildings, live stock and equipment adequate for the work to be done. This is the age of the specialist: even the successful farmer has to specialize. He is a grain farmer, a dairyman, a sheepman, a cattleman, a hog raiser, or a gardener or a fruitman. The agricultural teacher and investigator must, of necessity, meet the farmer on his own ground, if he is going to succeed, then he must also be a specialist. The three primary divisions of the agricultural work are: agronomy or field agriculture, animal industry, and horticulture. The first addition to these would probably be dairying, from the animal industry; next agricultural mechanics, from the agronomy department; and forestry. 16

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With the Various Departments SCIENCE BOUT three hundred years ago a new method of studying science was given to the world. It is now generally known as the scientific method. The development of science since the middle ages has been so greatly indebted to this method and it is such an important factor in properly teaching all branches of science that it is very desirable that the chief characteristics of the method be thoroughly understood. If we analyze the methods of the early Grecian philosophers and contrast them with those of scientists today, it becomes apparent that the scientific method is defined, in part at least, when we say that its chief characteristics are, ‘‘open mindedness and a desire for truth.” In consequence, scientific opinions are based on observed facts and not upon hearsay merely. It is not always possible for one to verify all his conclusions by his own experiences or by direct observations. Much of the knowledge a person uses must, of necessity, be the result of the experiences of others. However, it is always possible for the scientist carefully to differentiate between those opinions he holds as the result of his own observation and those he has obtained from evidence that comes to him indirectlv. This discrimination is very essential to the successful scientist. It is manifestly true that this same capacity should be cultivated by all people, not only when dealing with problems of science, but also when forming opinions about religion, politics, and the social sciences. It is apparent that the scientific method finds application in other fields of work and the student of science in college receives the benefits peculiar to that subject just so far as he absorbs a true scientific spirit. It is the duty of the science departments of a technical school like ours to surround the students with such influences as will cultivate habits of thought and action which are in accord with the principles of the scientific method. To establish this condition of affairs, the instruction must be genuine in every particular. The student can very quickly form accurate judgment concerning the genuineness of any system of instruction. In this connection it is safe to say that the method which usually appeals to the student the most, is one where the teacher does not attempt to force his own conclusions and beliefs, but rather presents the facts as he sees them and then gives the student every opportunity to form his own opinions. In this, the guidance and help of the teacher may often be needed.

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from the horticultural department. These departments of the agricultural work are what may be called units, and the expansion from this will be in these departments, by the addition of assistant helpers. Another thought in the organization was the division of the lines of work to be undertaken. At the head of the college work in agriculture is a department of research, the Experiment Station, which has a separate staff of workers with a separate head known as the Director, who is charged with the responsibility of so using the funds placed at his disposal, and so organizing the working force as to accomplish the largest possible amount of accurate work in original investigations in the agricultural field: and to seeing that the facts worked out are presented clearly and comprehensively to the people. The Experiment Station is endowed with funds given especially for its work. From the U. S. Government $24,000 is received each year and this in three years becomes S30.000. From the State S7.500 is obtained for maintenance : $4,000 for dry farming experiments and Si,500 per year for horticultural work. In addition to this, about $6,000 per year is obtained through co-operative work undertaken with the railways, with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and with communities in the state; and about S5.000 is obtained from produce sold from the farms. The whole making about $48,000 per year. This is nearly three times the income of the Experiment Station six years ago. The next division in the agricultural work is the college department of agriculture, through which it is aimed to reach and educate along scientific and practical agricultural lines the young people who come to us for such information. The college takes the facts of scientific agriculture as elucidated by this and other experiment stations of the world and moulds them into pedagogic form for the information, training and development of the students. The next division in the agricultural work is the college department is grouped under the head of Agricultural Extension, through which it is endeavoring to bring the work of the Experiment Station and the college in a clear and practical manner home to the people of the state. Through correspondence in answer to inquiries for information, through the Farmers Institute work, popular bulletins on practical agricultural topics, farmers' reading courses, rural school leaflets, etc., the latest facts and the best practices in agriculture are brought into the homes of all the people who ask for information and help. With the organization worked out and the direction of our endeavors laid down, the next thought was to provide the equipment and buildings necessary to make the plans possible. When funds are dependent upon popular support and the amount available is limited, very careful planning has to be done to get needed buildings and equipment, 17