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

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COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE In a geography of the United States published in l 7(i. or fifty years ago. there is the following reference to this State: Montana is yet to a great extent unexplored. It is known to have a fine climate, much rich soil and great mineral wealth. It already produces a large amount of gold. ’ The two principal towns were Helena and Virginia City. The population of Montana in U70 was iM.utm. Cattle were the principal agricultural product of the country. Seventeen years later, or in 1803. the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts and the Agricultural Experiment Station were established: but ten years later, or in 11103. only four students had graduated in agriculture, which showed the little interest at that time in agriculture. From its establishment the College of Agriculture and the Experiment Station rook an active leadership in the agricultural development of the State, particularly in calling attention to her agricultural resources and pointing the way to their development. The work of the institution also developed leadership among many farmers over the State, men who aided the institution in pushing forward our agricultural program. About twenty-five years ago a beginning was made to enlarge the agricultural faculty and provide adequate equipment for instruction without which students in the agricultural course could not be expected. Ten years were needed to accomplish this task, during which practically all the present agricultural buildings were provided. The more complete knowledge of the agriculture of the State which the work of the Experiment Station brought forth led to a large influx of new farm settlers, and from this an increasing student attendance in the College of Agriculture. This training of leaders is. and should be, a large part of the work of the College of Agriculture. Hy so doing, it very greatly broadens the agricultural service it can render to the people of the State and Nation. It is the only institution in the State that is equipped to train these students for this wide range of service. We are trying to do the job as effectively as possible. Dean I.ixfiei.d

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THE DEAN OF MEN A loader is one who in facing a now problem knows what is best to be done. There is an old savin that the world steps aside for the one who knows where he is going . Formerly most leaders were developed by experience in practical life and came up through the ranks and there are now outstanding examples of self-made leaders. Scholarship as developed in the class room and the laboratory is an essential factor in leadership, but ii is only one factor. -Inst as important as scholarship are the (futilities of leadership that come from team work and human contact on the athletic field, in the student councils, in successfully managing a fraternity house, or in editing a college publication. Professor T. S. Adams of Vale says. •■Thinking is only the beginning of wisdom: action is essential to its consummation. Truth as it emerges from the closet is largely hypothesis. It must be refined and tested in the laboratory of life. After Luther Unibank had created a new plant in his greenhouse he tested it out in a real farm field before putting it on the marker. The student activities are the best testing fields that colleges possess for their prospective leaders. 1 »

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AGRICULTURE Montana lias been recognized in recent years as a state prominent in agriculture. Fa ruling:, stock raising, dairying, and fruit growing have developed to such an extent that they form the basic industry of Montana. The vast area of this state includes ail varieties of climatic and soil conditions which present many problems peculiar to each locality in which they are found. Difficulties in finding nearby adequate marketing facilities and means of transportation of agricultural products are encountered. The College of Agriculture stands as the pivot of this great industry. With the staff of trained instructors in the department to give students technical knowledge and practical experience, the corps of extent ion workers who are in charge of courses of instruction in agriculture for those who are unable to come to college, the Smith-IIughes men. field workers in direct contact with the people who are engaged in this industry, the college maintains service for those actively interested in the various branches of Agriculture. Through these agencies diversified farming, introduction of varieties of crops, better breeds of livestock, improved marketing conditions and better agricultural methods have established farming on such a prosperous basis that Montana is becoming important as an Agricultural state. Men entering this profession find that the College of Agriculture with its well-equipped buildings, adequate supply of farm machinery and tools, and the experimental farm, is able to provide a thorough technical training and can give experience in practical problems at the same time the department of Agricultural education emphasizes the most desirable phase of this training, that of Leadership. A man can be a prosperous farmer, but unless he can assist others and share his ideas with them, he is not utilizing all his opportunities for success. A man who has taken work in agriculture should be an authority in his community. He can serve the people by bringing about better farming and living conditions. The College of Agriculture and the people of the state are closely connected. Hundreds of calls come in yearly for advice on problems and for men to go into communities to do Smith-IIughes and extension work, thus representing their department in that they serve. This demand for information encourages the work in the experiment station. It augurs well for the future greatness of Montana because without the high quality people agriculture and stock rais ing this great state of Montana cannot be maintained. The (tUkkxhoc.se Tx the Dairy Lab