University of California Davis - El Rodeo Yearbook (Davis, CA)

Page 26 text:

Division of Chemistry ORK in the Chem- istry Division of the Farm the past year consisted of two courses of instruction. The first, or elementary, course was designed to meet the needs of Farm School students Who have had no previous training in chemistry. Itincludes a study of the elementary principles of chemistry, with special emphasis on the commoner elements and compounds and their relation to agriculture. Water as a Chemical com- pound is studied, and its absolute necessity in plant and animal growth and development, as well as its relation to soil for- mation and fertility, is stressed. The chemical composition of the atmos- phere and its relation to agriculture as the source a of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen for plant and animal life is brought out. The chemistry of soils, commercial fertilizers, farm manures, animal feeding and nutrition, spray materials, and dairy products are some of the other phases of agriculture touched upon in an elementary way. The second course in chemistry for Farm School students is also a years course, and is planned for those Who have had High School Chemistry or its equivalent. This course takes up in more detail some of the phases covered in the elementary course. The relation of soil fertility and climatic conditions to the worlds food supply are con- sidered along with discussions of the future sources of commercial fer- tilizers. In this connection atmospheric nitrogen and the methods of fixation and the possible sources of potash in the United States are particularly noted. The laboratory work in this course includes, among other things the qualitative analysis of the common feed stuffs, fertilizers and spra3; materials. and the detection of alkali in soils and irrigation waters The work .in both courses, While of an elementary nature is intended to emphas1ze the intimate relation and dependence of agriculture as well as all other industries, upon chemistry, and to point out to ,the student the reasons for many of the o eration on the farm. p S and methods 0f procedure PROF. J. F. TORREY 22

Page 25 text:

a n M. Iv E Division of Soils CTIVITIES of this Division are large- ly confined to in- struction work, and we: are now readjusting our work so that in the future our activities Will be much broader. During the past year we have offered three courses of instruction to Farm School students, With a total enrollment of 225. A large part Of the practice work of these courses was given in the various fields of the Uni- versity Farm. Our Extension work has largely been in an- swering correspondence from farmers, as well as prospective farmers, With respect to soil conditions and crop possibilities of various sections of the State. PROF. ALFRED SMITH A large map has recently been completed, showing in great detail the soil conditions of the 1000 acres owned or leased by the State of California at Davis. A part of each Summer is spent by members of this Division, Which is a part of the' Division of Soil Technology, College of Agriculture, University of California, in making soil survey in various parts of this State. Beginning next August this Division Will offer two courses to Uni- versity students at Davis, namely, Soil Technology 1, and Soil Tech- nology 2 tGeneral Geologyy '

Page 27 text:

$ Division of Viticulture HE Division of Viti- culture of the Univer- sity at Davis has two main objects in View- teaehing and research. Never before have the classes been so large as they are this term. They are another proof of the great development of grape growing in this State. There are 31 Uni- versity students and 49 University Farm students, a total of 80 students take ing Mr. Bonnets courses. The practical work is giv- en in the six experiment a1 .Vineyards, comprising forty-two acres, of Which more than two-thirds are already planted. Vine- yard N0. 1, the largest, contains a collection of over three hundred varie- PROF- L- BONNETT ties of grapes, and is used for teaching and for research. Many experi- ments have been completed in this Vineyard, Where Vines are grown on their own roots, and also on resistant stocks. Vineyard N0. 3 has been used for irrigation experiments, Which have not given any results, owing to the stealing of grapes before picking time. Vineyard N0. 5 is a mother Vineyard of resistant stocks. Its small size at the time When there is a big demand for certain resistant stocks has made necessary the planting of a new resistant mother vineyard. Vineyard No. 6 planted last year will be entirely devoted to: experimental purposes. In order to avoid the stealing of grapes and to obtain results it Will be surrounded With an unclimbable fence. ' The products of the Vineyards are sold as dried grapes, and the brush sold as cuttings or as rootings the following year: The Division of Viticulture sends information by correspondence, and Will be glad to show the Vineyards to those interested. The staff of this Division at Davis comprises Mr. L. O. Bonnet, who is in charge of the Division; Dr. A. J. Winkler and Mr. G. Barovetto. 23