University of Virginia Library

SCHOOL OF NATURAL HISTORY, EXPERIMENTAL
AND PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE.

Prof. John R. Page.

This school will be divided into three classes, viz: Zoology, Botany,
and Agriculture.

I. Zoology will include the leading principles of the science, with
special reference to the Anatomy, Physiology, and Morphology of typical
species throughout the animal kingdom.

Special lectures will be given during this course in regard to Insects
injurious to Vegetation; Fish and Oyster culture, and the breeding, rearing,
and diseases of Domestic Animals.

II. Botany will include a minute history of the structure, physiology
and morphology of the plant, in embryo, root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit,
and formation of seed.

During this course, special lectures will be given on Noxious Weeds
and Useful Plants, and some of the Fungoid diseases of Plants.

III. Agriculture.—This course will be divided into two parts, Experimental
and Practical.

1. Experimental Agriculture will have reference to the food of Plants
in the Atmosphere and Soil; the formation, variety, classification and
adaptation of soils to various crops, illustrated by suitable experiments.

2. Practical Agriculture will relate to the Soil Cultivated, its nature,
exposure and drainage; the importance of making Domestic Manures
and their application; the use of Fertilizers, with experiments, in order
to show their effects. Tillage illustrated practically on the farm, in plowing,
subsoiling, harrowing, rolling, etc.; in preparing the land for the reception
of Seed, as well as in the cultivation of Crops. Special instruction
will be given in regard to the practical management of teams, in the various
mechanical operations on the farm.

The lectures in the three classes will be delivered concurrently throughout
the session, as far as practicable.

The following Text-Books will be used in this School:

"Manual of Zoology," Nicholson; "School and Field Book of Botany," Gray; "How
Crops Grow," Johnson; "How Crops Feed," Johnson; "Scientific Agriculture,"
Pendleton.

The following may be usefully referred to in connection with different parts of the
course: Carpenter's "Zoology;" Harris' "Insects Injurious to Vegetation;" Chapman's
"Flora of the Southern States;" "How to Farm Profitably," Mechi; "Muck
Manual," Dana; "American Weeds and Useful Plants," Darlington.

MILLER AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIPS.

With a portion of the means supplied by the donation of Mr. Miller,
there has been established in connection with the Agricultural Department,
one scholarship of four hundred dollars per annum, and tenable
for one year, to be competed for at a special examination upon the whole
of the subjects taught in the department, to be held near the close of
each session. Candidates for this examination to be already graduates
in the studies of the department. Scholars thus elected will be expected
to continue their studies during the term of their scholarships, and to
render such assistance in the minor duties of instruction, in the performance
of analyses and researches, as may be required of them. It is
hoped that the opportunity may be afforded the successful competitors
of becoming thoroughly competent in their chosen direction of study,
worthy of public confidence in regard to all the purposes which their
special knowledge may subserve, and that even during their tenure of
the scholarship in question, they may be able to render useful service in
connection with agricultural experiments, the examination and analysis
of agricultural and other materials of general interest. They will be subject
to no charge for tuition in the schools of the department, but will be
expected to defray the expense of material they may consume in the
chemical laboratory.