University of Virginia Library

SCHOOL OF NATURAL HISTORY, EXPERIMENTAL
AND PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE.

Prof. John R. Page.

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

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

Special lectures are given during this course on Insects injurious to
Vegetation, Fish and Oyster culture, and the breeding, rearing, and
diseases of Domestic Animals. The addition of the fine collection of
Zoological specimens in the Brookes Museum largely increases the facilities
for study in this branch.

II. Botany includes 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 are given on Noxious Weeds and
Useful Plants, and the Fungoid diseases of Plants.

III. Agriculture.—This course is divided into two parts—Experimental
and Practical.

1. Experimental Agriculture has 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 relates to the Soil Cultivated, its nature, exposure
and drainage; the importance of making Domestic Manures and
their application; use of Fertilizers, with experiments, in order to show
their effects. Tillage is illustrated practically on the farm, in plowing,
subsoiling, harrowing, rolling, etc.; in preparing the soil for the reception
of seed, as well as in the cultivation of Crops. Special instruction is
given in regard to the practical management of teams, and in the various
mechanical operations on the farm.

The lectures in th ethree classes are 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.