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

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Division of Olericulture CTIVITIES 0f the Di- A Vision of Olericul- ture during the past year have been devoted almost entirely to instruc- tional work. Nearly all the work on the twenty- five acres, planted for the production of vegetables and vegetable seed crops, has been done by the stud- ents enrolled in the regu- lar courses of instruction. The work in the Practice Course, offered for the Farm School students, has been planned so that it is not necessary to arrange a definite schedule, and the student may devote any time he desires durn ing the week to this work, Many students have taken advantage of this, and have completed the work required in this Practice Course during the time which was previously PROF. D. H. CAREY wasted. The Division is constantly attempting to improve the varieties of many vegetables by selecting the most desirable plants from which to grow seed to produce the following crop. We now have improved varie- ties of cauliflower, beet, carrot, onion and celery. Several varieties of potatoes have been planted during the last year. The seed potatoes planted for these trials were obtained from various places in the State, and each place having a different altitude and climatic condition. Most favorable reports have been received of the certified seed potatoes dis- tributed by this Division during January, 1921, to growers in twelve different counties in the State. Almost every grower reported a yield larger than from other seed potatoes planted in the same district, and several requests have been received this year for another supply. This Division conducted a Potato Growersi Conference on October 4th. 5th and 6th, which was attended by potato growers from ten different counties of the State. Much interest was shown at various meetings where lantern slides, prepared by this Division, were exhibited. These slides show various methods of growing and harvesting vegetables. This D1v1si0n has prepared for distribution brief outlines describing the method of production as practiced in California of the following crops: Celery, pea, sweet potato, rhubarb, and melon. ' 26

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kxxxx Division of Botany ORK in the Bot- any Department is organized along various lines, including the study of Agricultural Botany, Plant Diseases, Weeds and Weed Control, Plant Propagation, Orna- mental Gardening. The study of Agricultural Bot- any, taking up the struct- ure and life processes of plants, germination and purity seed tests, study of fungi and bacteria, plant breeding,etc., is prelimin- ary to such subjects as Horticulture, Agronomy, Olericulture, and has 'an indirect bearing upon courses in Dairy and Ani- mal Husbandry. Consid- erable stress is placed up- on the practical bearing PROF. A. M. WOODMAN of botany upon these sub- jects. Especial emphasis is placed upon the study of plant physiology, since it is important that the young farmer know something about the life habits and functions of plants. Abundant opportunity is given on the Farm of studying at first-hand the botanical characteristics of plants and trees of economic importance, many types of obnoxious weeds, diseases attacking field crops, fruits, grains, and vegetables. Frequent field trips are made, supplemented by work in the laboratory. The student is trained to develop his powers of 0bservati0n-to think for himself. Seeds of weeds are collected for laboratory study; notes and observations made in the field are trans- ferred to a weed chart. A small greenhouse and several lathhouses afford facilities for plant propagation work, and for growing ornamental plants of economic im- portance. Plant propagation consists of practice in sowing flower seeds, making cuttings, transplanting seedlings and rooted cuttings, the growing of some commercial flower. The course in Ornamental Gardening includes the study of trees, shrubs, and plants suitable for ornamenting the home grounds, and the making of simple designs. 25

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smmwmmmmNNNb xxxxWxxwmmww. English and Economics N the early days of the University Farm School, when boys un- der 18 were admitted, cer- tain courses were pre- scribed in English Liter- ature, in English and United States History, and in Civics. About nine years ago these courses were replaced by suppos- edly tipracticalt, prescrib- ed courses called Agricul- tural Literature, Business English, and Rural Eco- nomics; all, for conveni- ence, conducted by the same teacher. This ar- rangement has continued, except that no English is required for graduation of students possessing evi- dence of having had at least two years of High School English,whi1e about three years ago Economics was transfer- red to the list of electives. Besides these courses, the PROF- T- R- KELLEY instructor has almost every year carried on another known as E. E103, in English Composition, a sort of individual coaching course. Under this title also, a number of students have received substantial credit for con,- tributions to the school publications. The course in Rural Economics has from time to time been sup- planted by one in Marketing of Farm Products. In the former course the attempt is made both to outline the field of elementary economics, to show the relation between technical agricultural economics and prac- tical farm management, and to prepare the student against some of the questions he must face as a Citizen in a rural community. For this course Cavieris Principles of Rural Economics has usually provided the basis, while the Farm Library has for both courses furnished an abund- ance of supplementary reading. For the latter course, Weldis Marketing of Farm Productsedisplaced this semester by Macklinis for recent Effi- cient Marketing for Agricultureehas commonly formed the basis. The widespread present-day concern with marketing principles, practices, and difficulties, is plainly reflected in the students readier response to this course. After this semester the English courses will presumably be con- ducted by the English Department of the University, and those in Economics by the College of Agriculture Division of Rural Institutions. 27