Seminary in Nature-Study and Elementary Agriculture.—Devoted to the study of the methods of teaching nature-study and elementary agriculture, and to the review and criticism of courses now offered in our elementary and secondary schools.
Nature-Study.—Advanced course. Individual work on special problems.
Travel Course in Agriculture.—The aim of this course is to give the students an opportunity, under competent guidance, to see the main agricultural activities and crops not represented in New York. It is open to qualified students of the College of Agriculture and of other colleges.
SPECIAL WORK
Opportunities are provided for persons who desire to pursue special work. Students must be at least eighteen years of age to take advantage of this work.
Special Work in General Agriculture.—This work is designed to meet the needs of young men and young women from the farm who have not the time to give to a four years’ course. They must satisfy the director that they are well enough grounded in the secondary school subjects to enable them to pursue the work with credit to themselves and with honour to the University, and also that they desire to take the work because of direct interest in agricultural affairs. They must present an honourable dismissal from the school last attended and certificates of good moral character, and will be required to present such certificates and letters as may be desired. This work is not a definite “course” in the sense of having a programme or a prescribed set of studies. The student chooses any of the agricultural “electives” that he may be able to pursue. Certain courses are to be given by some of the departments for those who lack some of the fundamental work usually required in those subjects. Admission as a special student by the director does not admit to classes. The student is admitted to the various classes by the heads of the departments when he has satisfied such officers that he is able to pursue the work.
Nature-Study Special Course.—This course, of two years, is open to teachers, or to such students in regular University courses as signify their intention to teach, who desire to prepare themselves in nature-study and country-life subjects. In this course the work is largely prescribed. The course comprises two categories of work: the subject-matter studies, and the pedagogical practice. The subject-matter is secured in the regular classes of the University, largely in the biological departments. The pedagogical practice is to be had with children in regular nature-study classes and clubs in the public schools of Ithaca and in school-garden work with children.
EXTENSION WORK
The extension work of the College of Agriculture is designed to help persons directly on their farms, and to aid those who desire definite instruction but cannot take a long or regular course in agriculture in the University. It supplements the teaching and experimenting of the College of Agriculture. It is professedly a popular work. It endeavours to reach the common problems of the people, to quicken the agricultural occupations, and to inspire a greater interest in country life. It is also a bureau of publicity, whereby there is an exchange of all important matters connected with the progress of the agriculture of the State.