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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNI/| 
 
 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT 
 
 BERKELEY 
 
 STATIC H 
 
 LIBRARY, 
 
 CAL/Ip Or? jSiAleAN University Fai 
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 WHFCLER, Prcsiocnt 
 
 MAS F. HUInT, I CAN AND DlRCCTOR 
 
 AN N^pRMAN, VICE - DIRECTOR 
 
 CAN llNivERSiTY Farm School 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE COURSES 
 IN AGRICULTURE 
 
 By W. G. HUMMEL 
 
 The College of Agriculture of the University of California 
 announces correspondence courses in agriculture to be given under 
 the direction of the Division of Agricultural Education. 
 
 These courses are designed for farmers, or persons expecting to 
 live on the farm, who desire specific and detailed information regard- 
 ing the production of certain farm crops or animals. 
 
 They are prepared by members of the faculty of the College of 
 Agriculture with special reference to agricultural conditions in Cali- 
 fornia and to the farming methods that apply in the various sections 
 of the State. In the present announcement twenty-nine courses are 
 listed and described briefly. Other courses will be prepared when 
 the need and demand foV trfem become apparent. 
 
 Each course deals with a special type of farming — as dairy hus- 
 bandry, or alfalfa culture, — with the purpose of giving in concise 
 form the information needed by a person engaging in that particular 
 branch of farming. It is assumed that the student has no knowledge 
 of the subject to be "studied and that he desires a practical working 
 knowledge of it. Subjects will therefore not be treated technically, 
 but will be presented in simple and direct language, easy to under- 
 stand. 
 
 There will be no course attempting to cover the general principles 
 of agriculture. It is believed that it will be more helpful to students 
 to give specific information with regard to the various farming 
 enterprises, rather than to deal with generalized considerations regard- 
 ing agriculture. But the basic principles of agriculture will be 
 presented, explained, or their application noted wherever need arises 
 in connection with the study of the special agricultural industries. 
 
 Each course will consist of approximately fourteen lessons, which' 
 Anil take up in detail the culture of a given crop or the care and 
 management of a type or breed of livestock. Questions intended to 
 bring out the main points covered in each lesson or to call attention 
 to related agricultural facts practices, or methods, will accompany each 
 lesson. 272649 
 
It will, obviously, be impossible in the lessons to cover fully in 
 each case local conditions in the different sections of the State with 
 regard to a given agricultural industry. But it is desired that 
 students ask questions regarding personal or community problems and 
 as to any points in the lessons or with regard to the subject studied 
 which are not clear to them. These will be answered as helpfully as 
 possible by the persons giving the courses. 
 
 In some of the lessons reference will be made to authoritative books 
 dealing with the topics under consideration. In many cases these 
 books will be found in the local public library. If not obtainable 
 there, the librarian will in most cases be able to give information as 
 to where they can be secured. The state librarian and many county 
 and city librarians have signified their desire to be of assistance in 
 promoting the work of correspondence courses and in aiding students 
 taking the courses. Where a needed book is not in the local library 
 it will frequently be possible for the librarian to secure its loan from 
 some other library. 
 
 As an aid to students taking correspondence courses, study clubs 
 will be formed in various localities. These will bring correspondence 
 students together and encourage a spirit of mutual improvement 
 among them. In addition, it may occasionally be possible for a 
 University lecturer to meet with the clubs for the purpose of further- 
 ing their work. 
 
 No charges will be made for the agricultural correspondence 
 courses. All that the University asks is that the work be taken up 
 in all earnestness and that the student pursue it with diligence that 
 he may receive the greatest benefits from it. 
 
 HOW TO ENROLL AND PROCEED WITH WORK 
 
 Fill out and return the accompanying application card, or make 
 written application to the Division of Agricultural Education of the 
 College of Agriculture, Berkeley, California, for enrollment in the 
 courses desired. 
 
 Two lessons will be sent to each student as soon as enrolled in a 
 course, with questions upon each lesson. On completing the first 
 lesson, send in answers to the questions and begin work on the second 
 lesson. A third lesson will be mailed after receipt of answers to 
 questions on lesson one, with corrections of the same. On receipt of 
 answers to questions on lesson two, a fourth lesson will be sent, and 
 so on to the end of the course, the student being constantly supplied 
 with a lesson to be studied. 
 
Students are requested to write with ink and to use regular letter- 
 size paper similar to that on which the questions are printed as far 
 as possible. Care and neatness should be observed in preparing work 
 to be sent in as it will greatly facilitate the correction of papers. 
 
 WHEN COURSES WILL BE READY 
 
 The following courses are now ready: Courses numbered 1, 14, 15, 
 21, 23, 24. 
 
 October 1 : Courses numbered 4, 8, 10, 11, 17. 
 
 November 1 : Courses numbered 5, 26, 29. 
 
 December 1 : Courses numbered 22, 27. 
 
 January 1, 1914 : Courses numbered 2, 6, 7, 9, 18, 28. 
 
 February 1, 1914: Course numbered 25. 
 
 March 1, 1914: Courses numbered 3, 12, 13. 
 
 Courses numbered 16, 19, 20 will be completed as soon as possible. 
 
COURSES OFFERED 
 
 COURSE 1. ALFALFA CULTURE 
 Prepared by B. A. Hudson, Assistant Professor of Agronomy. 
 The course on alfalfa is designed to be of practical aid to the man 
 who desires to grow the crop. It will acquaint him with the habits 
 of the plant and with the characteristics and habits of the different 
 varieties, thus enabling him to select the type best adapted to his 
 particular conditions. An endeavor has been made in the course to 
 bring together in brief form the best available information on the 
 preparation of the field for alfalfa, the treatment of the soil, irriga- 
 tion, culture, harvesting and improvement of the crop. 
 
 COUESE 2. BEAN CULTURE 
 
 Prepared by J. W. Gilmore, Professor of Agronomy. 
 
 This course describes the different types and varieties of beans 
 
 adapted to this State. Beans are considered both as a garden and as 
 
 a field crop and specific directions are given for methods of culture 
 
 and of harvesting the crop. 
 
 COURSE 3. CORN CULTURE 
 Prepared by B. A. Madson, Assistant Professor of Agronomy. 
 Although corn is the most important cereal crop in the United 
 States today, it is not grown as extensively as either wheat or barley. 
 Both as a grain and forage plant, however, there are .conditions where 
 com is much to be preferred to either of the other cereals. In the 
 course on corn, the conditions necessary for its production, the 
 varieties best adapted to use in this State, and approved methods of 
 culture, handling and improvement are briefly discussed. A study 
 of the course should enable corn growers to increase their acre yields. 
 
 COURSE 4. POTATO CULTURE 
 Prepared by J. W. Gilmore, Professor of Agronomy. 
 The importance of the potato as a garden and as a field crop calls 
 for lessons on its culture useful to both the beginner in potato-grow- 
 ing and to the practical grower who wishes to increase his yields and 
 profits. That there is much to be known about growing the American 
 tuber is shown by the small average yield in the United States of 
 83 bushels per acre. Many potato growers raise 400 or more bushels 
 per acre. The chief varieties adapted to California conditions are 
 considered in the course, together with methods of securing and main- 
 taining new varieties. Practical problems of planting, cultivation, 
 irrigation and the harvesting and handling of the crop are taken up 
 in detail. 
 
COURSE 5. ONION CULTURE 
 Prepared by S, S. Rogers, Instructor in Plant Pathology 
 The varieties of onions and the various phases of onion culture are 
 considered with reference to California conditions, special attention 
 being given to soils suitable for onions. While questions dealing with 
 the planting, cultivation, protection from disease, and general care of 
 the crop will be emphasized, the harvesting and marketing of the crop 
 will be given considerable attention. 
 
 COURSE 6. WHEAT CULTURE 
 Prepared by B. A. Madson, Assistant Professor of Agronomy. 
 
 In the course on w^heat culture, an effort has been made to set 
 forth as clearly as possible, the general characteristics of the different 
 varieties of wheat grown in this State, and their adaptability to the 
 various localities, as well as the best known method of culture and 
 improvement. The enormous decrease in the production of wheat in 
 California in the past few years may be attributed largely to improper 
 methods of culture, rather than to a decrease in the fertility of the 
 soil. Demonstrations have clearly shown that by application of proper 
 tillage methods, wheat can be grown as successfully today as at any 
 previous time. 
 
 In this course only such methods are included as have proven to 
 be of positive value in increasing the yield of the crop. 
 
 COURSE 7. OAT CULTURE 
 Prepared by B. A. Madson, Assistant Professor of Agronomy. 
 Oats as a crop are grown to some extent in California with vary- 
 ing degrees of success. While it is not on the whole as well adapted 
 to the climatic conditions in this State as either wheat or barley, yet 
 under certain conditions it fills an important place, both as a grain 
 and as a forage crop. This course is designed to acquaint the growler 
 with the limitations of the plant, as w'ell as to familiarize him with 
 the varieties best adapted to California conditions and the best known 
 methods of handling the crop. 
 
 COURSE 8. BARLEY CULTURE 
 Prepared by B, A. Madson, Assistant Professor of Agronomy. 
 The aim of the course on barley is to familiarize the grower with 
 the requirements of the crop, and with the adaptability of the various 
 types and varieties to California conditions. 
 
6 
 
 In spite of the fact that barley is the leading cereal in California 
 today, the returns in many instances are hardly sufficient to pay the 
 cost of production. There is no doubt that yields might in many 
 instances be greatly increased by improved methods of culture. In 
 these lessons an attempt has been made to set forth in brief outline 
 the best known method of culture, handling and improvement of the 
 crop. All questionable theories and practices have been eliminated, 
 and such only are advocated as have proven of value in increasing 
 the yield and quality of the crop. 
 
 COURSE 9. RICE CULTURE 
 
 Prepared by B. A. Madson, Assistant Professor of Agronomy. 
 
 Rice culture in California is still in the experimental stage. As 
 yet but little is known of the possibilities of the industry when 
 attempted on a large scale. The course in rice production is designed 
 to acquaint the person who desires to grow the crop with the habits 
 of the plant, the conditions necessary to its production, and with 
 approved methods of culture, harvesting and improvement. Its aim 
 is to be of practical aid to the prospective grower. 
 
 COURSE 10. DAIRY HUSBANDRY 
 
 Prepared by G. H. True, Professor of Animal Husbandry, and 
 L. M. Davis, Assistant Professor of Dairy Industry, 
 
 The dairy husbandry course is intended to be such that it is readily 
 comprehended by any interested student, but not too elementary for 
 the practical dairyman. 
 
 The first part of the course deals with the animal side of dairying, 
 with reference to selection, breeding, and feeding of dairy stock, types 
 of dairy barns and the production of milk. The second part takes up 
 the handling of the milk after drawn and the disposal of same as 
 market milk, cream, butter or cheese. Nature and source of con- 
 tamination, care of dairy utensils, approved methods of cooling and 
 bottling milk, separation and handling of cream, the details of butter- 
 making and cheesemaking, and dairy equipment are specific points 
 considered. Testing of dairy products and the application of the 
 Babcock test to individual dairy cows will be important points dis- 
 cussed. The course is so planned as to present to those interested in 
 dairying the important features of the business. 
 
COURSE 11. SWINE HUSBANDRY 
 
 Prepared by J. I. Thojupson, Assistant Professor of Animal Husbandry. 
 
 This course deals in a practical way with the various types and 
 
 breeds of swine, their selection and breeding, care, feeding, and general 
 
 management. To give the information necessary for profitable pork 
 
 production is the main object of the course. 
 
 COURSE 12. SHEEP HUSBANDRY 
 Prepared by G. H. True, Professor of Animal Husbandry. 
 Sheep are considered in this course from the standpoint of the farm 
 as well as the range, and from the standpoint of mutton production 
 as well as that of production of wool. This involves a discussion of 
 types and breeds, and the breeding and general care and feeding of 
 sheep. 
 
 COURSE 13. BEEF HUSBANDRY 
 Prepared by G. H. True, Professor of Animal Husbandry. 
 This course discusses the beef type of cattle and the breeds of 
 beef cattle important to California with methods of building up and 
 improving beef herds. Those methods and practices which promise the 
 best type of beef animal and secure the greatest profits are briefly 
 reviewed, special attention being given to practical questions of feed- 
 ing and general care and management. 
 
 COURSE 14. POULTRY HUSBANDRY 
 Prepared by J. E. Dougherty, Assistant Professor of Poultry Husbandry. 
 The aim of the course in poultry husbandry is to give a clear, 
 working knowledge of the subject in as practical and concise a manner 
 as possible. The characteristics of the more important poultry 
 varieties will receive attention, but most emphasis will be placed upon 
 such practical questions as hatching and rearing of chicks, the under- 
 lying principles of feeding and breeding and the general management 
 of the poultry plant. 
 
 COURSE 15. BEE-KEEPING 
 Prepared by C. W. Woodworth, Professor of Entomology. 
 It is the aim of this course to cover actual work with bees, giving 
 directions whereby the student can discover by observation the signifi- 
 cant facts regarding the structure, habits and life-history of bees, and 
 particularly those facts most related to the production of honey. 
 
8 
 
 The course is a practical one, dealing with the production of both 
 extracted and comb honey. The student should learn from it enough 
 to enable him to handle bees intelligently. The aim is to have the 
 student actually study the bees, rather than study about them. 
 
 COUESE 16. APPLE CULTUEE 
 
 The course in apple culture is designed to meet the needs of those 
 \Yho desire to grow apples for profit under California conditions. The 
 requirements of the crop as to climate and soil will be taken up with 
 a consideration of important varieties and their adaptation to the 
 various apple-growing districts of the State. Some attention will be 
 given to methods of propagation and improvement of varieties, but 
 the main purpose of the course is to consider how to grow better 
 apples, and the problems of planting, pruning, irrigation, cultivation, 
 and control of pests will be taken up more fully. The problems con- 
 nected with harvesting and marketing will be emphasized and the 
 utilization of by-products given attention. 
 
 COUESE 17. PEAE CULTUEE 
 Prepared by E. E. Smith, Professor of Plant Pathology. 
 
 This course presents a good, practical treatise on pears from the 
 nursery bench to the fruit stand. The control of fire blight, and the 
 marketing of the crop are topics which receive special attention. 
 There are great possibilities in pears for the intelligent grower who 
 is willing to study and practice up-to-date methods, as the blight has 
 taken the crop from the careless farmer. 
 
 COUESE 18. PEACH CULTUEE 
 
 Prepared by W. T. Clarke, Professor of Agricultural Extension 
 
 and Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes and 
 
 E. H. Taylor, Instructor in Pomology. 
 
 There are many favored districts in California where nature will 
 reward abundantly those who apply intelligent effort toward produc- 
 ing peaches of high grade for the market. The course in peach culture 
 covers those details of pruning, thinning, picking and packing which 
 are so essential to success, as well as the general questions of planting, 
 irrigation and cultivation. Special attention is given to marketing 
 methods, canning, drying and ways of utilizing by-products. 
 
COURSE 19. PLUM CULTURE 
 
 The plum as grown in California merits a place among the best 
 of fruits. The various types and varieties of plums are reviewed in 
 this course, together with general problems of growing and handling 
 the crop. Commercial prune production is given special attention. 
 
 COURSE 20. CHERRY CULTURE 
 
 This course is prepared for those who wish to know more of this 
 popular fruit. It discusses the splendid new varieties, the methods 
 used by nurserymen in producing different types of trees, the con- 
 ditions under which the various types thrive best, and how to plant, 
 prune, irrigate, and cultivate to produce the finest fruit. Those who 
 are growing cherries and have trouble in handling the crop will get 
 good suggestions from this course. The prospective grower will find 
 it a valuable guide. 
 
 COURSE 21. WALNUT CULTURE 
 Prepared by R. E. Smith, Professor of Plant Pathology. 
 The aim of this course is to give instruction in walnut culture in 
 the modern and somewhat changed aspects which the subject now 
 presents. Until very recently, all the walnut acreage of California 
 consisted of seedling trees in the southern part of the State. Recent 
 developments have consisted in the planting of grafted rather than 
 seedling trees, and in the extension of the industry in the State 
 towards the north. These conditions have brought into prominence 
 new and partially unsolved questions relating to character and selec- 
 tion of varieties, choice of root stocks, methods of propagation, 
 adaptation to localities, and other important considerations, all of 
 which are fully considered in this course. The walnut has possibilities 
 in the horticultural development of California far beyond the present 
 status and extent of the industry. 
 
 COURSE 22. ALMOND CULTURE 
 
 Prepared by W. T. Clarke, Professor of Agricultural Extension 
 
 and Superintendent of Farmers' Institutes and 
 
 R. H. Taylor, Instructor in Pomology. 
 
 The requirements of the almond in regard to soil and climate are 
 considered, with the adaptation of different varieties to various Cali- 
 fornia conditions. The planting, pruning, cultivation and general 
 care of the crop are treated in a simple, practical way. The handling 
 and marketing of the crop receive attention. 
 
10 
 
 COURSE 23. GRAPE-GROWING 
 Prepared by F. T. Bioletti, Professor of Viticulture and Enology. 
 
 This course is intended primarily for two classes of students. 
 First, for those who know little or nothing of the subject but who 
 intend to engage in the industry and wish to do the work well and 
 avoid expensive mistakes. Second, for those who are already growing 
 grapes but wish to improve their methods. 
 
 The course covers all the operations of grape-growing, from the 
 choice and preparation of the land to the gathering of the crop. It 
 attempts to give the student the information he needs to determine 
 how much profit he can expect to obtain and what are the best methods 
 for him to adopt. 
 
 The course consists of a series of lessons complete in themselves, 
 but in order to obtain the full benefit of the lessons, the student will 
 be obliged to do some supplementary reading to which references will 
 be given. 
 
 COURSE 24. CITRUS FRUITS 
 
 • Prepared by J. E. Coit, Professor of Citriculture, and 
 I. J. CONDIT, Instructor in Citriculture. 
 
 The course in citrus fruits embraces sixteen lessons covering the 
 entire subject. The text has been written especially for this course 
 and it is to be found nowhere else. In the preparation of the text, the 
 viewpoint has been that of the beginner rather than that of the expert 
 and experienced citrus growler. The aim is to furnish practical 
 information, which will help the student in the management of his 
 grove, besides giving a broad concept of the citrus industry as a whole. 
 Technical discussions have been avoided and the text is presented in 
 as direct and simple a way as possible. 
 
 COURSE 25. OLIVE-GROWING 
 
 Prepared by F. T. Bioletti, Professor of Viticulture and Enology, and 
 W. F. Oglesby, Assistant in Viticulture. 
 
 The growing of olives has been one of the most profitable of the 
 horticultural industries of California during recent years. This has 
 created a marked revival of interest in the crop and stimulated 
 extensive plantings. 
 
 Olives have been grown in California from the time of the first 
 white settlers and at one time plantings were almost as numerous as 
 at present. The industry has not always been profitable. Indeed, for 
 many years the best groves barely paid expenses. 
 
11 
 
 This course is intended to guide new olive growers, to point out 
 the causes of former failures, to help growers to obtain the best 
 results by avoiding such of the causes of failure as still exist, and to 
 prevent any serious mistakes which might jeopardize the industry in 
 the future. 
 
 The methods used by the most successful growers, oilmakers and 
 picklers will be described and such suggestions for improvement made 
 as our present knowledge permits. 
 
 COUESE 26. FIG CULTUKE 
 
 Prepared by J. E. Coit, Professor of Citriculture, and 
 S. F. Frisselle, Superintendent of Kearney Farm. 
 
 The course in fig culture attempts to give, in brief, an account of 
 the fig from the cutting to the full-bearing tree; its propagation, 
 pruning, irrigation, cultivation, harvesting and soil and climatic 
 requirements. It also gives, somewhat in detail, the history and the 
 method of caprification of the Smyrna fig. It aims to sum up for 
 the beginner such information as will be necessary for him to choose 
 the proper locality, to properly plant his trees and to bring them 
 successfully to maturity. 
 
 The course will deal with only three of the numerous varieties of 
 the fig, but many facts and figures will, of course, have a general 
 application. These three varieties, those most grown commercially in 
 California, are the "Mission Fig,'' the "White Adriatic," and the 
 ' ' Smyrna or Calimyrna Fig. ' ' 
 
 COURSE 27. HOME FLORICULTUEE 
 Prepared by J. W. Gregg, Professor of Landscape Gardening and Floriculture. 
 This course is designed to furnish the individual with information 
 concerning the propagation and culture of annuals, herbaceous per- 
 ennials, bulbs, and flowering shrubs that may be grown for cut flowers 
 or for ornamental plantings on the home grounds. 
 
 COURSE 28. HOME GROUND ORNAMENTATION . 
 Prepared by J. W. Gregg, Professor of Landscape Gardening and Floriculture. 
 The course in home ornamentation is designed to familiarize the 
 individual with some of the fundamental principles of the art of 
 landscape gardening as they may be applied in the embellishment of 
 home grounds, and, in addition, to give information as to the best 
 plant materials to use, their adaptation, arrangement and culture, for 
 the purpose of producing the best effects. 
 
12 
 
 COURSE 29. EURAL PUBLIC HEALTH 
 Pepared by W. B. Herms, Assistant Professor of Parasitology. 
 
 This course consists of a series of lessons on location and sanitation 
 of the home, sewage disposal, flies, malaria, disinfection, and other 
 rural health problems of California. The health resources of this 
 State are as vast as its natural resources and are as needful of pro- 
 tection and conservation as are the latter. 
 
 The material in the course will apply to the family unit on the 
 larger or smaller ranch as well as to smaller typical rural communities. 
 Frequently communities of five thousand or more inhabitants are rural 
 from the health standpoint in that sewage disposal and general health 
 supervision are defective or inadequate. Treatment of disease will 
 not be considered, — the viewpoint is essentially preventive. 
 
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 272649 
 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY