University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

Page 26 text:

AGRICULTURAL FARM

Page 25 text:

The Department of Civil Engineering One of the first departments included in the regular work of the University was that of civil engineering. At the outset the instruction was meager, due in great part to the lack of apparatus for the training in the work. Theoretical instruction was given, but this requires, in the courses of engineering, a supple- menting by practical work with the necessary field instruments. At first also there were no students prepared for the technical work. As the demand increased, and as the funds for this department became available, the department was supplied with equipment. At the present time the equipment is complete enough to illustrate the work of civil engineering in all its usual forms. This includes a full set of Field Instruments, Testing Laboratory, Drafting Room Supplies and equipment, books, etc. The work of the course is thorough, and the student is expected to do the work which is usually required at any of the recognized schools of the country, With this thoroughness on the part of the student there can be no difficulty to the graduate in making rapid advancement in their chosen profession. The first male graduates of the University were students of the Civil En- gineering Department. The total number of graduates receiving the degree B. C. E. is eleven. These are holding responsible positions throughout this section of the Northwest and are doing satisfactory work. 21

Page 27 text:

Agricultural College In the one hundred and twelfth year of the independence of the United States, there was established an Agricultural College in connection with the University of Idaho. The following is the process of wisdom-getting at the Agricultural College: The student enters the first year (provided he has formerly absorbed sufficient knowledge in divers branches) and is called fresh. After he has learned all he can about live-stock—raising, feeding, etc., he arrives at the dignified sopho- more stage and begins to study soils. When he has learned what land pro- duces onions best and what is best for hog pasture he may proceed to gain the rest of the knowledge which a successful farmer must possess. He learns how to treat sick live-stock and diseased trees; he is taught the best arrangement of buildings and fields; he is impressed with the awful trutlis that he must neither build his house with the back to the highways nor plow his fields wrong side up. Having mastered all these problems and secured his sheepskin, the young man may seek a wife. The equipments for the college are scattered for almost a mile. A class room and laboratory are in the Administration Building; in the annex are a butter and cheese factory, testing rooms and store rooms; while a farm of ninety-four acres lies about twenty-five kundred feet from the campus. On this farm are buildings suitable for the work required. Here the student may put his learn- ing into practice, for which he receives pay; and while he carefully hoes around the weeds, he may commune with nature to his heart's content. Farmers’ institutes and short courses are also held in connection with the college. For those who have not had the advantage of attending an agricul- tural school, these meetings, where practical and econemic methods are dis- cussed, are exceedingly helpful.