New Jersey Agricultural College - Four Leaf Clover Yearbook (New Brunswick, NJ)

Page 96 text:

lt All Depends BY josEPH OIFLANAGAN lt all depends , that simple phrase ' Resounds the country o'er, ,From California's winding bays To jersey's sandy shore. From all the varied walks of life That cry each day ascends, Which shows that in our daily strife XVe know it all depends. On many a blood-red battle plain Its echoes rent the air, Caus'd gallant charge be made in vain, Chang'd hope to black despair. liven now in war-torn Flanders, As cannon heaven rends, You may hear the hoarse commander's Cry, Men, 'lt all depends' But in the school or college hall Its greatest pow'r is shown, For there the teachers, one and all, Have long its influence known: And at New Jersey Farm School, Where science all work transcends, You'll find that every golden rule Starts with, Hit all depends. For if some fruit you wish to sow, For home use or for sale, You'll hear the so-call'd peach will grow Where so-call'd apples fail. And though you're told what has been done What some success attends, Your searching ends where it begun, Because, it all depends. Or if you would ambition skill In setting bud or Scion, You'll hear, Sunlight aids chlorophyllf' And, Cambium layers combine. But should you ask how to prune a tree, Your ignorance offends, You're answer'd thus: It seems to me That here 'it all depends' 95

Page 95 text:

Aims and Accomplishments BY Pnor. F. C. MINli1.Eli. HE Short Courses in Agriculture offered in connection with Rutgers and the State Agricultural College are designed to train men and women in the science of ag1'iculture and in the art of home-making. Eight years ago the late Dr. lidward 15. Voorhees appeared before the legis- lative committee on Agriculture and lfinauce and appealed for funds to estab- lish practical courses that would appeal to young men or women interested in agriculture and home-making, who were unable to enroll in the regular and more extensive four-year courses oifered by the State Agricultural College. The response was generous. The present Short Course building was built and equipped, a judging pavilion erected, plans perfected for the present Short Course greenhouse, while much needed equipment, such as specimens of live stock, farm machines, and other laboratory materials, were assembled. From the outset students appreciated the opportunities offered and the enrollment has grown from thirty-live in 1907 to two hundred and ten in 1914, and this without extensive publicity or systematic solicitation. The growth is in reality phenomenal considering the limited facilities, such as class rooms and laboratory equipment, available for student use. Not only are we proud of the increased enrollment recorded from year to year, but the working spirit of the students, in itself, is truly inspiring. Our students, for the most part, come with a definite purpose in view-that of making the most of the opportunity afforded by the State-and are not content upon doing things by halves. XV ith twenty hours per week devoted to lecture and quiz work and eighteen afternoon laboratory hours scheduled in each course, it is clear that the ambitious student iinds an abundance of work to be done. The Short Course Spirit prevails and is a mighty factor in itself. That the fond hopes of the late Dr. Voorhees have been realized no one denies, and all credit the present popularity of the courses to his keen fore- sight and rare judgment in planning and executing the foundation working plans. It is the aim and purpose of the College to broaden the scope and useful- ness of these courses by offering every possible opportunity to the young men and women to obtain that training of mind and hand so essential for success in farm and home life and thus prepare them to cope with the intricate problems of agriculture and home-making. Measured by the achievements and accom- plishments of those students completing the courses and entering the field of farm activity, it must be admitted that the Short Courses wield a powerful influence for good in the State's agricultural development. 94

Page 97 text:

Or if old Adam's trade you'd fain To fullest measure know, You'll hear about Montana's plain, Or hills of Idaho, But when you come to Jersey soils All information ends, None yet has studied local styles, On which lt all depends. And if a working horse you keep, Or dairy cow you own, Be economical, not cheap, In building flesh and bone: And doubt all balanced rations And concentrated blends, They need strict investigation, Because, it all depends. Or study soil fertility Until you're blue of face, You'l1 hear of N, and K, and P, Of acid and of base: Some you may choose and some reject, As science or custom tends, Still you're but partially correct, Because, it all depends. Or go to lecture or to quiz On entomology, You'll hear the meatmorphosis Of bug and moth and flea. But if to poison or repel Your inclination bends, You've got to know the mouth-parts well On these it all depends. In poultry and in forage crops Those words still largely loom, When drinking in the knowledge drops Re broiler or legume. You'1l hear them in the blacksmith shop, Where heat the steel extends, Or where the wood you cut and chop, The words- it all depends. And so, young man, in after years, VVhen busy farmers come, To tell their troubles and their fears, And ask what should be done, just look as one who sees the wayg To know it all pretendsg Then shake your head, look wise, and say, My friend, 'it all dependsf 96