Washington State University - Chinook Yearbook (Pullman, WA)

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INCLUDING THE DIVISIONS OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRY HUSBANDRY, POULTRY HUSBAN¬ DRY, SOILS, CROPS, AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND FARM MANAGEMENT. GEORGE SEVERANCE, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT. During the past fifteen years the Department of Agriculture has grown from an enrollment of four Collegiate students to three hundred, from one of the smallest Collegi¬ ate Departments to the largest. The salaried staff has increased from two to twenty-two members. The department is now divided into seven distinct divisions; namely, Animal Hus¬ bandry, Dairy Husbandry. Soils, Crops, Agricultural Engineering, Poultry Husbandry, and Farm Management. Students now have an option between a general course in Agri¬ culture or specialized courses in Animal Husbandry, Dairy Husbandry, Soils, Crops and Poultry Husbandry. At present it is possible for a student choosing any one of the op¬ tions offered to elect all the work offered in Farm Management or Agricultural Engi¬ neering, hence, specialized courses are not yet offered in these two divisions. The equipment of the Department offers many advantages to the student seeking practical instruction. The work in Dairy Husbandry iis strengthened by the operation of a commercial creamery doing from $25,000 to $30,000 worth of business annually and by the mainteance of a large purebred dairy herd comi osed of typical specimens of Jersey, Guernseys, Holstelns and Ayrshires. The majority of the cows are in the ad¬ vanced registry, some very high records having been made. The work of caring for the herd Is done entirely by students at present. The livestock equipment of the Division ot Animal Husbandry has improved great¬ ly in quality, particularly the sheep and horses. A number of first prizes. Champion¬ ships and Grand Championships, have been won at the leading Northwest Livestock Shows during the last two years in strong competition. An offer of $1000 was received for the Shorthorn herd bull while on the fair circuit last fall, which is an indication of the quality of stock kept. With the completion of the new stock judging pavilion be¬ tween the wings of Wilson Hall, the Animal Husbandry Division will be well equippe d for instructional work. The Division of Agricultural Enginering is better equipped than ever with various types of engines both statioary and tractor, and a variety of farm machinery loaned by various companies. The loaned equipment at present is valued at many thousands of dollars and offers splendid opportunity for study along this line. The inauguration of the Ail-North West Egg Laying Contest at the College, with the erection of a 1200 hen plant and the entrance of 186 contestants with 1116 of the best fowls from the flocks, aids materially in placing W. S. C. In the front rank of colleges in the opportunities offered for specializing in Poultry Husbandry. Practically all the work at both the regular poultry plant and the contest plant is done by students, this being part of the apprentice plan of instruction. This division aims to give thor¬ ough, practical training in all details of poultry rasing to students who desire to spe¬ cialize iu that line. The Divisions of Soils, Crops and Farm Management are using the College Farm and Experiment Station and outlying farms more and more as a basis of instruction. These Divisions will he well equipped in their new laboratories in Wilson Hall. Page 23

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Page 22 COLLEGE FARM

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