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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An increasing number of Intercolegiate contests are giving valuable stimulus to the work in several lines. The following Intercollegiate agricultural contests were par¬ ticipated in by W. S. C. during the past year: 1. Stock judging contests at the Cascade Live Stock Show, North Yakima, Wash. 2. Stock judging contest at the Northwest Live Stock Show, Lewiston, Idaho. 3. Stock judging contest at the Pacific International Live Stock Show, Portland, Oregon. 4. Butter judging contest at the Northwest Dairy Products Show—for long course men. 5. Same for short course men. 6. Chese scoring contest at the Northwest Dairy Products Show. 7. Poultry Judging Contest at the Panhandle Poultry Association, at Moscow, Ida. Other institutions competing in one or more of these contests were the University of Idaho, the Oregon Agricultural College and the University of California, The teams in most cases have consisted of five men. During the past three years our stock judg¬ ing teams have won first place four times, second place twice and third place once. In 1915 o ur Butter Judging team won first place and held the highest average in Butter Judging contests. In 1916 the one year Dairy course team won first place and the Colle¬ giate team took second place, in similar contests. Advanced students who have made good judging records have acted as judges at a number of the local fairs during the past year. The O. W. R. N. paid the expenses of a corn judging team of three men for scoring all except the prize winning entries at their annual corn show at Walla Walla last fall. Interest in the work of the Department is further stimulated by two clubs, the Saddle and Sirloin Club, primarily fostered by the Animal Husbandry students but open to any Agricultural students who may be elected to membership by the Club, and the Dairy Club. These Clubs hold regular meetings open to anyone who desires to attend. Whenever oportimlty arises, practical men who have achieved success in some phase of Agriculture are secured on the programs. One hundred and thirty graduates have received the degree of B. S. in Agriculture to date, over 60 per cent of whom have graduated during the past three years, over 27 per cent graduating in June, 1916. Over 95 per cent of these graduates are engaged in some phase of instructional, experimental or practical agriculture. Almost without ex¬ ception the graduates are making a recognized success in their work and several of the earlier graduates are becoming recognized authorities in their respective lines. About one-third of the graduates are engaged in practical Agriculture. Of the balance, the greater majority are engaged in teaching High School Agriculture, in Cow Testing As¬ sociation work or in County Agricultural work. Several, however, are engaged in U. S. Government service and in college teaching and experimental work. Our graduates are located as far east as New Jersey and as far south as New Mexico. We believe that no agricultural school graduates men of whom a larger percentage make good. The Six Weeks’ Winter School, the One Year Dairy Course and the Two Weeks’ Gas Engine course are important features of the educational work of the Department. Over 230 students have been enrolled in these courses during the present school year. A number of men have gained sufficient inspiration from these short courses to enroll as regular students. The Short Course Club, meeting weekly during the Winter School session, has been an important factor in making the school a success. Last, but not least, the democratic spirit pervading all grades and classes of Agricultural students has contributed mucb toward the success of the Winter School Session. The Department of Agriculture is making a rapid growth and there are sufficient reasons why it should become one of the biggest Agricultural Departments in the coun¬ try. This result may be accomplished through the combined efforts of the students, the Alumni and the Faculty of the Department. Page 25