University of Virginia Library

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

JOHN R. PAGE, M. D., Professor of Agriculture, Zoology and Botany.

FRANCIS H. SMITH, M. A., LL. D., Professor of Natural Philosophy.

JOHN W. MALLET, Ph. D., M. D., LL. D., F. R. S., Professor of Chemistry.

F. P. DUNNINGTON, B. S., Professor of Analytical and Agricultural Chemistry.

WM. M. FONTAINE, M. A., Professor of Natural History and Geology.

W. M. THORNTON, Professor of Mathematics Applied to Engineering.

The late Samuel Miller, of Lynchburg, having by deed given in trust
one hundred thousand dollars for the establishment of a Department of
Scientific and Practical Agriculture in the University, this Department
was organized in 1869. Subsequently the above-named Professors were
nominated by the Trustees of the Miller Fund, and elected by the Visitors;
certain lands belonging to the University were set aside, and brought
into cultivation as an Experimental Farm; and all necessary implements,
apparatus, models and specimens of various kinds have been collected
as material aids to the course of instruction.

The following order of studies is recommended:—First Year:—Junior
Physics, General Chemistry, Zoology, Agricultural Botany and Agriculture,
and Mineralogy and Geology. Second Year:—Scientific and Practical
Agriculture, Agricultural and Industrial Chemistry, First Class of
Analytical Chemistry, and Agricultural Engineering.

The degree of Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture is conferred in this
Department, (see page 51.)

Trustees of the Miller Fund.

         

J. F. SLAUGHTER, President.
W. W. MINOR,	S. V. SOUTHALL,
S. W. FICKLIN,[1]	H. W. JONES,
GEO. W. PALMER,	B. JOHNSON BARBOUR.
R. T. W. DUKE, Secretary.

MILLER SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE, ZOOLOGY,
AND BOTANY.

Prof. Page.

In this School are three classes, as follows:

I. Agriculture; divided into two courses, Scientific and Practical.

1. The Scientific course comprises a review of what is known of the
chemical composition, the structure and the functions of the organs of
plants; and of the atmosphere and soil, as related to vegetable production.

2. The Practical course comprises the study of the nature and formation
of soils; their exposure and drainage; the best methods of
tillage; and the use of manures and fertilizers, with experiments to
show their effects. Special instruction is given in the mechanical operations
of the farm, and in the practical management of teams.

This class is continued throughout the session.

II. Zoology.—This class studies the leading principles of the science,
with special reference to the anatomy, physiology and morphology of
typical species throughout the animal kingdom.

Special lectures are given during the course on insects injurious to
vegetation, on fish and oyster culture, and on the breeding, rearing, and
diseases of domestic animals.

The fine collection of Zoological specimens in the Brooks Museum
affords excellent facilities for study of the science. The class is continued
until the examination, about the middle of March.

III. Botany.—This class commences about the middle of March, and
continues until the end of the session.

The time is mainly devoted to the study of flowering plants, their
analysis and determination. Cryptogamic Botany, especially fungi and
fungoid diseases of plants, receive as much attention as possible.

Text-books:—"How Crops Grow," and "How Crops Feed," by Johnson; "Scientific
Agriculture," by Pendleton: "Manual of Zoology," by Nicholson; "School and
Field Book of Botany," by Gray; Sack's Text-book. For reference:—Carpenter's
Zoology; Harris' Insects Injurious to Vegetation; Mivart's Comparative Anatomy;
"Flora of the Southern States," by Chapman; Armsby on "Cattle Feeding," and
Law's Veterinary Adviser.