Forty-sixth Annual Report of The National Farm School 1943-1944

FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF

THE NATIONAL FARM SCHOOL

FARM SCHOOL, BUCKS COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA

1943- 1944

Joseph Krauskopf
Founder

THE NATIONAL FARM SCHOOL

Founded 1896

A School of Scientific and Practical Agriculture
Supported Largely by Voluntary Contributions

Specializes in Training City Boys for Careers
IN Agriculture

Open to Boys of All Creeds from All Sections of
the L^nited States

OFFICERS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Louis Nusbaum, President

Louis A. Hirsch, Vice-President

Maurice Jacobs, Second Vice-President

James Work, Treasurer

Bernard Weinberg, Assistant Treasurer

Elsie M. Belfield, Secretary

Joseph H. Hagedorn, Honorary Chairman Board of Trustees
Leon Merz, Chairman Board of Trustees

Isidore Baylson
David Burpee
Harry Burstein
Horace T. Fleisher
Jos. H. Hagedorn
Roy a. Heymann
Julian A. Hillman

HONORARY MEMBERS

Jos. H. Hinlein
Stanley H. Hinlein
Louis A. Hirsch
Harry B. Hirsh
Maurice Jacobs
Chas. Kline
Mrs. Jos. Krauskopf
M. R. Krauskopf

Leon Merz
Louis Nusbaum
Leon Rosenbaum
Edwin H. Silverman
Philip Sterling
Isaac Stern
James Work

William M. Abler
Sydney K. Allman, Jr.
GUSTAVE C. Ballenberg
Morris R. Blackman
J. Griffith Boardman
Samuel Cooke
Sylvan D. Einstein
Edwin B. Elson
Benjamin Goldberg
Lester M. Goldsmith
S. S. Greenbaum
Albert M. Greenfield
W. A. Haines

ELECTED MEMBERS

Lester Hano
Kevy K. Kaiserman
Mrs. M. J. Karpeles
A. Spencer Kaufman
Al. Paul Lefton
David Levin
Albert A. Light
Sydney J. Markovitz
David H. Pleet
Theo. G. Rich
Lee I. Robinson
Edward Rosewater
Walter Rosskam

Harry H. Rubenstein
Matthew B. Rudofker
Max Semel

Nathan J, Snellenburg
Israel Stiefel
M. L. Strauss
Wm. H. Sylk
Max Trumper
Edwin H. Weil
Bernard Weinberg
Emanuel Wirkman
Sydney L. Wright
William H. Yerkes

ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVES
Samuel Rudley Fred M. Weigle

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY COMMITTEE

Mrs. Jos. Krauskopf, Chairman

Mrs. Theodore Netter, Treasurer

Mrs. a. J. Bamberger
Mrs. Henry S. Belber
Mrs. D. T. Berlizheimer
Mrs. Leon Cohen
Mrs. Sol Flock

Miss Belle Floersheim Mrs. A. M. Klein

Mrs. Sig. Guggenheim
Mrs. Hiram Hirsch
Mrs. M. J. Karpeles
Mrs. Carrie Kaufman

Mrs. Albert M. Greenfield

Mrs. M. R. Krauskopf
Mrs. Sidney Lowenstein
Mrs. a. Marks
Mrs. Wm. Pleet
Mrs. Maurice E. Stern

NATIONAL BOARD OF STATE DIRECTORS

ISAAC STERN. New York City. ActinR Chairman

Edmund H. Abrahams. Savannah. Ga.

]i. Abrohams. Green Bay, Wis.

Sam Albrecht, Vicksburu. Miss.

Henry A. Alexander. Atlanta. Ga.

Arthur A. Aronson. Raleigh. N. C.

Marcus Bachenheimer, Wheelinp:. W. Va.

Melvin Behrends. Washington. D. C.

Dr. Henry J. Berkowitz. Portland. Ore.

I. W. Bernheim. Denver. Col.

W. P. Bloom. Tuscaloosa, Ala.

R. D. Blum. Nashville. Tenn.

S. B. Brunwasser. Pittsburtrh. Pa.

Edsrar M. Cahn. New Orleans, La.

Gabriel M. Cohen. Indianapolis. Ind.

Julius L. Cohen. Superior, Wis.

Louis Cohen, Ft. Smith, Ark.

Miss Felice Cohn, Reno, Nev.

Heiman Cone. Greensboro, N. C.

Allen V. deFord. Washinpton. D. C.

Max de Jong, Evansville, Ind.

Carroll Downes, Jr., Kansas City, Mo.

Nathan Eckstein, Seattle, Wash.

Samuel Edelberg:. Saranac Lake, N. Y.

Herbert U. Feibelman, Miami, Fla.

Rabbi J. B. Feibelman. New Orleans, La.

Rabbi A. J. Feldman. Hartford. Conn.

Stanley Frank, San Antonio, Tex.

A. Frankel. Sr.. Des Moines, la.

Ike L. Freed. Houston, Tex.

Max Friedwald, Billings, Mont.

Louis M. Fushan. Pittsburgh, Pa.

Judge Edward I. Gleszer, Bangor. Me.

Milton D. Greenbaum, Baltimore, Md.

N. Greengard. Mandan. N. D.

Mrs. H. A. Guinzburg, New York, N. Y.

Judge Samuel J. Harris, Buffalo, N. Y.

Sieg. Harzfeld. Kansas City, Mo.

Hugo Heiman, Little Rock, Ark.

Harry Hirsch. Toledo, O.

Wm. L. Holzman. Beverly Hills, Cal.

Robt. W. Isaacs, Clayton, N. M.

Simon Jankowsky, Tulsa, Okla.

Carl H. Kahn. Chicago, 111.

Thos. Kapner, Bellaire, O.

Edmund I. Kaufmann. Washington, D. C.

Howard Kayser. Minneapolis, Minn.

Daniel E. Koshland, San Francisco, Cal.

Rabbi Isaac Landman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

G. Irving Latz. Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Isidore Lehman, Jackson, Miss.

Jos. G. Lehman, Dayton, O.

Bernard Levitt, Wichita. Kan.

Dan A. Levy, Fort Worth, Tex.

Dr. I. H. Levy. Syracuse, N. Y.

M. Lipinsky, Asheville, N. C.

Alex. Lischkoff, Pensacola, Fla.

J. H. Loveman, Birmingham, Ala.

A. L. Luria, Reading, Pa.

H. A. Mackoff, Dickinson, N. D.

Herbert Marcus. Dallas. Tex.

Ben. H. May. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Isaac May, Rome, Ga.

Jewell Mayes, Richmond, Mo.

Sam Meyer, Meridian. Miss.

William Meyer. Butte, Mont.

M. G. Michael. Athens, Ga.

Abe Miller. Chicago. 111.

Louis Mosenfelder, Rock Island, 111.

Herbert A. Moses, Sumter, S. C.

N. Murov. Shreveport. La.

Chas. Nussbaum. Pittsburgh, Pa.

Michael Panovitz, Grand Forks, N. D.

Dr. I. E. Philo, Youngstown, O.

Judge Max L. Pinansky, Portland, Me.

Myron Porges, Pocatello, Idaho

James A. Pratt, Loch Raven, Md.

Chas. S. Rauh, Indianapolis, Ind.

Hiram S. Rivitz, Cleveland, O.

Alex Rosen, Bismarck. N. D.

Bernath Rosenfeld, Tucson, Ariz.

Arthur Rosenstein, Boston, Mass.

Emil Rosentock, Sioux City, la.

Dr. Henry Ross, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Dr. Leo S. Rowe. Washington, D. C.

Samuel Rudley, Philadelphia, Pa.

Oliver R. Sabin, New York, N. Y.

Henry Sachs. Colorado Springs. Col.

Judge S. B. Schein, Madison, Wis.

Charles Schoen. Cedar Rapids, la.

Dr. Laurence Selling. Portland, Ore.

Max Semel, New York, N. Y.

David Snellenburg, Wilmington, Del.

Morris Stern, San Antonio, Tex.

Samuel Stern, Fargo, N. D.

Edward Stiles, Montpelier, Vt.

Bertram A. Stroock, Jackson Heights, N.Y.

Milton Sulzberger, Providence, R. I.

Louis Tober. Portsmouth, N. H.

Louis Veta, Cheyenne. Wyo.

Jerome A. Waterman, Tampa, Fla.

Adolph Weil. Paducah, Ky.

Isadore Weil. Montgomery, Ala.

Herschel Weil, Lexington, Ky.

Lionel Weil, Goldsboro, N. C.

Morris Weil. Lincoln, Neb.

Leo Weinberg, Frederick, Md.

Henry Weinberger, San Diego, Cal.

M. J. Weiss, Alexandria, La.

S. D, Wise, Cleveland, O.

NEW YORK COMMITTEE OF SPONSORS

ISAAC STERN. Chairman

Belmont Corn

Hon. Abram I. Elkus

Milton Erlanger

Sidney C. Erlanger

Sydney B. Erlanger

Howard S. Gans

Mrs. Paul Gottheil

Mrs. H. A. Guinzburg

Moss Hart

Siegfried F. Hartman

Miss Florence Henry

Leo H. Hirsch

Dr. Herbert M. Kaufmann

Mrs. Otto V. Kohnstamm

Daniel L. Korn

Arthur M. Kuhn
Dr. Isaac Landman
Herbert H. Lehman
Mrs. Harry F. Louchheim
Jesse J. Ludwig
Dr. Morris Manges
Otto Marx
James Marshall
Alfred I. Mendelsohn
Moses Newborg
Siegfried Peierls
David Piatt

Mrs. Sigmund Pollitzer
Dr. Henry Reiss
Louis P. Rocker

William Rosenthal
Louis F. Rothschild
Bernard J. Rose
Oliver Sabin
Max Sondheim
Charles Sonfield
Mrs. William Stern
Mrs. Samuel Stiefel
Joseph Stroock
Louis Tekulsky
Lucien Uhry
Mrs. Leon L. Watters
Dr. Stephen S. Wise
Alfred Yankauer

FACULTY

Louis Nusbaum, B.S., Ped.D. (Temple University), President

William 0. Strong, B.Sc. (Cornell University), Dean of Agriculture;
Farm Managevient

Samuel B. Samuels, B.Sc. (Massachusetts State College), Business Mana-
ger, Director of Domestic Department, Director of Athletics; Rural
Sociology

Irwin Klein, B.Sc, M.Sc. (Ohio State University), Director of Student
Relations; English

Philip Gorlin (The National Farm School), Acting Librarian; Library
Practice

Isidore Baylson, LL.B. (University of Pennsylvania); Farm Law.

Redding H. Rufe, M.D. (University of Minnesota), Physician; Applied
Hygiene

Walter J. Groman (The National Farm School), Head of Department of
Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering; General Agriculture and
Farm Machinery

Leonard Rose (The National Farm School), Assistant in Agronomy; Field
Crops

David M. Purmell, B.Sc. (Michigan State College), Head of Department
of Pomology and Vegetable Gardening; Pomology, Vegetable Pro-
duction, Plant Breeding

Solomon Leon Soskin (The National Farm School), Assistant in Pomology
and Vegetable Gardening

Herman G. Fiesser (Gartenbauschule, Geisenheim, Germany), Head of
Department of Ornamental Horticulture; Landscaping

Philip Ellman, B.Sc. (Rutgers University, College of Agriculture), Acting
Head of Department of Dairying and Animal Husbandry; Dairying
and Animal Husbandry

W. A. Haines, D. V. M., Veterinarian ; Veterinary Science

Samuel H. Meisler, B.Sc, M.Sc. (Rutgers University, College of Agricul-
ture), Head of Department of Poultry Husbandry; Poultry Hus-
bandry

Henry Schmieder, B.Sc, M.Sc. (University of Pennsylvania), Head of
Department of Science; Sciences, Apiculture

OTHER STAFF MEMBERS AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICE STAFF

Jean Wright, Matron
William J. Wilkinson
Daniel Miller
Charles Mashteller

Assistants in Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering
Joshua Feldstein
Herman Wilensky

Assistants in Pomology and Vegetable Gardening
Abraham Rellis, Assistant in Ornamental Horticulture
Paul Fickes, Herdsman
Herman Stoever
LeRoy Landis

Assistants in Dairying and Animal Husbandry
Abraham Cohen, Assistant in Poultry Husbandry
Norman G. Myers, School Mechanic; Farm Mechanics, Farm Carpentry

The Farmer — Essential in War and in Peace

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

to the

Forty-sixth Annual Meeting

of
The National Farm School
October 17, 1943
In times such as these, the position of an institution like The
National Farm School is one of grave concern. On one hand, there
is an unusual need for the kind of training and service given by this
School in order to conserve the food supply, and if possible, to help
increase it. On the other hand the exigencies of a war situation oper-
ate to hamper its activities.

Recruitment of students is difficult both because of the natural
desire of youth to enlist in the armed services of the country, and
because youth of the ages of Farm School students can find financially
attractive situations in industry. The students we have are mostly
within the age limit of the Selective Service Draft, and their continu-
ance in the School depends largely on the attitude of the individual
selective service boards throughout the country — we are subject to
their various interpretations of the situation of our School as an
institution of higher agricultural education, and of the status of the
students as farm workers and food producers. Within the range of
possibility of our discovery of the facts, we shall not permit The
National Farm School to be used as a refuge for boys seeking to
evade the Selective Service Draft. But as a vital factor in sustaining
the war effort by increasing food production, we feel justified in seek-
ing the deferment of our students so long as they continue in the
School. There has been no federal government interpretation of the
status of Farm School students as a class, but local boards, in a large
majority of the cases, have granted limited deferments to our stu-
dents on the ground of their occupation as food producers.

We need constantly to keep before the public, the aim of our
School in order that we may obtain the moral and financial support
necessary to an institution like ours. As has been stated repeatedly,
the main purpose of the founder of the School was to provide a place
where city boys might be removed from congested surroundings and
trained in scientific and practical agriculture so that they might settle
on the land and make their contribution as producers rather than as
consumers. This aim has been constantly and consistently observed.
The fruits of this education are seen in the activities of our graduates,
who occupy important and influential positions in federal and state
governments and in agricultural councils throughout the land. They

have entered industrial pursuits closely related to their agricultural
training and have made valuable contributions in development of
better methods of farming and of animal husbandry, and of market-
ing farm products. A recent survey of former students, shows that
approximately one-third of all the graduates of the School are still
engaged in food production or allied occupations. I doubt that this
record could be excelled by any institution or by any professional or
technical group.

In addition to this outstanding record, it is commonly conceded
that the type of training given at The National Farm School has
produced worthy results in preparation for useful citizenship even on
the part of those who have left the field of agriculture. Many evi-
dences of this fact are constantly received by the School.

The very nature and objectives of the School as set up by Dr.
Krauskopf, the founder, the ideals he envisioned for it will merely
and certainly mark The National Farm School as a unique institution.
In the spirit of this ideal, we have through the years, rendered ser-
vices to the community w^hich go beyond the instruction of our boys.
After the first World War, our School effectively served the govern-
ment in rehabilitation of many soldiers wounded in the war and
whose outlook for future employment was most promising in some
agricultural specialty. Similarly, through many years, and until the
enormous industrial development occasioned by the advent of war
industries, The National Farm School continuously trained students
w^ho were casualties of industrial accidents and who were sent to us
by The Pennsylvania State Department of Labor and Industry for
rehabilitation in some phase of agriculture. This work has ceased
temporarily only because such persons are today employable in some
capacity or other in connection with the war effort. State authorities
know that the School is open for the resumption of this co-operative
training when and as needed. Only recently we have been in con-
ference with officials of the United States Veterans Administration,
indicating the availability of our School to assist in retraining of in-
jured service men of the present war. These officials know our School
favorably, and have indicated their desire to utilize our facilities when
cases warranting this kind of training present themselves for
consideration.

Another service which the Farm School has rendered to the
Federal Government was in the training of about 450 farmers who
were brought to the School by the Farm Security Administration
from Kentucky, and were placed here in order to orient them in
Eastern methods of farming. These men were placed mostly on

10

U\ \.*l^ v'^ A ^^

farms in Penns}-lvania and in southern New Jersey, wliere it was
felt by the government they could be of more use as food producers
than in their former situation in the south. This training continued
through last winter and spring, and as more men of the same type
are available, no doubt, will be resumed here at the School in the
future. Other services rendered by The National Farm School in-
clude the conduct through last winter of extension courses for
farmers of the vicinity of the School. These and other adults came
from a radius of twenty-five miles about, in order particularly to
take courses in Farm Machinery. In many cases it has been impos-
sible for farmers to replace their equipment and in order to keep their
farms in operation it was necessary that they should learn how to
repair and care for the equipment they already had. Our perform-
ance along this line is a matter of record in our State Department of
Education. In a similar way we are preparing now to offer a much
broader program of corresponding services to the farmers of our
vicinity during the coming winter. We are planning to add other war
food production courses so that we may expect many more farmers to
attend our School in the evenings. These plans are made in co-opera-
tion with the Pennsylvania State Department of Public Instruction.
We contemplate giving courses after the harvest which will treat such
subjects as Animal Husbandry; Dairying; Poultrying; Care, Treat-
ment, and Uses of Soil; Planting, Cultivation and Harvesting Field
Crops; Vegetable Gardening; in fact, any agricultural subject for
which there is a local demand. In addition to this we expect to offer
more specific services to the farmers of the community, such as soil
analysis; milk analysis, and the like.

An outstanding service which The National Farm School ren-
dered during the past spring and summer, was the establishment in
Philadelphia and vicinity of three demonstration Victory Gardens.
We felt that the Farm School was better equipped than most institu-
tions to educate the public in what was bound to be a popular move
for home food production. We knew that the communities could not
all come to the Farm School to learn how to conduct Victory Gardens
so we made it our business to take the Victory Gardens to the people.
One of these demonstration gardens was located on the Parkway,
opposite the Board of Public Education in Philadelphia; one was at
Sixty-ninth and Chestnut Streets in Upper Darby, and one on the lot
adjoining the Strawbridge & Clothier Store in Jenkintown. The
opening of these gardens was preceded by a series of forums in each
general location, and talks were given by members of the School stafT
on the afternoon and evening of four days at the end of March.

12

Thousands of people visited these projects during the summer.
Some of the gardens were ably assisted by troops of the Boy
Scouts of America. The product of these demonstration Victory
Gardens in every way justified our operating them as another form
of public service. We feel that we have in this respect made a real
contribution to the food production knowledge of average house-
holders who had no idea of how to proceed in such a matter. Pamph-
lets answering questions of all kinds with respect to this summer
project were printed by the School and distributed by the thousands.

The Farm School is prepared to sponsor such gardens again next
year if the expense of operating them can be provided from outside
sources, as is probable in several cases at least.

We look forward to the time when The National Farm School
will become the real center of agricultural life for this section of
Pennsylvania when farmers and others will look to the School for
technical advice and assistance, so that in truth, we may become a
community service agent.

In our instructional program we must not only teach the theo-
retical side but we must also produce in such a way as to demon-
strate to our students what are the best and most profitable methods
of production. It is, therefore, essential that at all times, production
shall be made one of the main objectives. While it is true that we
are not primarily at work in this institution to produce money-
making crops, for us to do anything else would mean that we are
satisfied to teach our students inferior methods of farming. There is
another side to this rather commercial aspect of food production at
the School. The National Farm School could not exist on its various
appropriations, allocations, student fees, and the like unless, in addi-
tion to that; it could eke out its income by marketing profit-making
products. Therefore, we are using the profit motive for two impor-
tant aspects of the operation of this School. I am sure no one will
take exception to this procedure. It must always be kept in mind that
tutition is free to all students and that the School depends on con-
tributions and gifts in addition to the profit on its own crops to make
it possible to balance its budget.

Our departments generally have been working to high standards.
\^^e had during this past season, probably the largest and most profit-
able crop of peaches the School has ever had. The same is true this
fall of our crop of apples. There has never been a time when the
School has produced so large a quantity of hay for the feeding of
our cattle; in fact, this year we shall have an excess crop so that we
shall be able to sell some on the market. However, we are not

13

Allman Administration and
Farm Mechanics Building

satisfied that all ot our depailments ha\'c been picKlucing to the
niaxiimiin of their capacity, and we are constantly reviewing the
situation in our executive councils, and with our department heads
to determine how we can improve production, and consequently
improve also instructional methods. One oustanding example of our
efforts along this line is in the program we have adopted to upbreed
our herd of dairy cattle. We have had good cattle in the past and we
have been producing good milk. From records of other institutions,
we believe that by developing a new strain of cattle in our milk herd,
following a recently developed blood line, we can produce far better
results. Consequently, we have been purchasing cattle of this par-
ticular blood line and correspondingly reducing our herd by disposing
of our poorest milk producers. We believe that with the aid of our
competent Farms Committee we shall be able to produce more milk
with fewer cattle, and consequently less labor and less need of certain
field crops than in the past. It must be understood of course, that
such herd development has to be a matter of generations of breeding
so that we may not look for materially improved results in less than
three to five years. But we are convinced, on the face of the records
made by this particular blood-line of cattle, that the Farm School
will profit enormously by making the kind of change we have indi-
cated. This is perhaps the most significant development in our
attempt to improve farm conditions that we have made since I have
assumed the office of President. In a similar way, the School has
launched a project of breeding its own horses for replacement. For
this purpose, we have been obtaining the finest work horse material
.that is available and we already see some results of this fine breeding
program. There is no doubt that we shall be able to follow relatively
other important developments in various aspects of our farm
production.

During this past year, our greenhouses have been utilized very
largely for the propagation of vegetable plants, rather than flowers,
in order that we might thereby help in the enlargement of the food
program of the community. These plants were used not only to
provide for our demonstration Victory Garden requirements but
chiefly to take care of cur own vegetable garden. We produced more
garden vegetables than has been customary in order that we might
this year can the vegetables that will be required for use in our own
dining rooms during the coming winter. Our canning program has
gene along very satisfactorily so that we have in hand enough of the
kinds of vegetables we produce to make it unnecessary for us to buy
any of these articles in the open market. It is likely that the net cost

15

of these thousands of cans of vegetables and of some fruits will be
not much more than half of what we would have to pay for them if
we had to buy them.

A new project in Animal Husbandry which has both educational
and financial value is the institution in December, 1942, of a hog-
raising project. This was begun with an original investment of $500.
The cost of operating this part of our plant is almost negligible since
the feed is provided entirely by using up refuse from our kitchen. At
present, our project has liquidated the original investment and is
worth $1500. Our Poultry Department is another highly successful
venture of the School. It would be meaningless to speak of the num-
ber of chicks or laying hens or eggs produced, but it is sufficient for
our purpose to say that our production for comparable conditions
has been higher than ever in the past.

The Roadside Market is one of the places where we feel there Is
plenty of room for improvement. A special sub-committee of our
Farms Committee has taken in hand the matter of exploring all the
conditions of such a Roadside Market, and our ability to keep it sup-
plied with a reasonable variety of products of the School, and at the
same time make it attractive and profitable. Here again the profit
motive is secondary to the instructional value of training our pupils
to prepare their farm products in such a way as to make them reap
a substantial return.

The School is seriously affected by the existing war-time condi-
tions. Our pupilage is about one-half of the capacity of the School
and this seriously hampers our ability to plant, cultivate and harvest
all of our crops because of shortage of manpower. It has been neces-
sary for the School during the past summer and this fall to hire the
services of a number of persons who under normal conditions of
pupilage would not be needed at the School. Thus, although our
pupilage is smaller, our overhead expenses continue to be virtually
the same with the added necessity of employing persons from the
outside. These conditions, we trust, will remedy themselves as the
times again approach more nearly normal.

Any change of administration in any institution is bound to bring
with it changes in the actual performance of the institution. Standards
and points of view differ, and obviously, the incoming administration
wishes to make conditions conform as nearly as possible with its
views. Since my induction into the presidency of the School, quite a
number of changes have been made in personnel, in methods, and In
other conditions surrounding the School. Still others are in contem-
plation. The School is fortunate In having had elected to Its Board of

16

IVuslces, a mimlici" ol line oiilstaiiclin^ cili/.ciis wiio were known in
ach'ance lo ha\e a clerinite interest in the kinds of activities belonging
to a Scii(K)l like this. 'l'he,>e new inenibeis will be a vital force in
reju\'enatinu the SchooL II to this we aekl the esteem oi our neigh-
bors and the public at large, the School should be in a position to
render a good account of itself and of the stewardship of an important
assignment.

I do not wish to conclude this report without paying my personal
tribute to the many friends of the School w^ho have given so gener-
ously of their time, their services, and their means to help make The
National Farm School a better School, a School that will deserve the
esteem and the approbation of the entire community. It is particu-
larly helpful to me in the newness of my relationship to the School
to have the expert help which I have been so freely given by well-
equipped members of the Board of Trustees and of our Alumni
Association. I wish those persons to know that their help, advice and
suggestions are always much appreciated.

Louis Nusbaum, President

:awr" -

Krauskopf Memorial Library

Segal Hall

FOUNDERS DAY AND HARVEST FESTIVAL

Forty-sixth Annual Meeting

October 17, 1943

The exercises originally planned for the annual celebration of
Founders Day, traditionally held on the first Sunday of June, were
combined this year because of war transportation restrictions with
the Harvest Festival and Forty-sixth Annual Meeting.

The joint program was held in the Louchheim Auditorium on the
School grounds on Sunday, October 17, 1943. Included in the cere-
monies of the day was the annual dedication of festive and memorial
trees, always a prominent feature of the Founders Day exercises.
In connection with this part of the ceremonies, a memorial garden
was dedicated in honor of the late Louis Schlesinger, of Newark,
New Jersey, who had been chairman of the National Board of the
School for over fourteen years. There was also a special group of
three trees dedicated to the memory of the late N. James Mesirow,
of Philadelphia, while a number of festive trees were designated for
various occasions of rejoicing. The complete list of those for whom
trees were named at this occasion will be found elsewhere in this
book.

The exercises which opened with a prayer by the Reverend
George AI. Whitenack, Jr., of Doylestown, Pa., continued as follows:

Presiding Leon Merz

Chairman, Board of Trustees

Address Morris Wolf

President, Federation of Jewish Charities, Philadelphia

Address Gabriel Davidson

Managing Director, Jetvish Agricidtural Society, New York

Tribute to Founder and Tree Dedication,

Rabbi D. A. Jessurun Cardozo
Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia

Student Representative Jack Gurewitz

President, Senior Class

President's Report • Louis Nusbaum

President, The National Farm School

Report of Nominating Committee Edwin H. Silverman

Chair7nan

Announcement of Exhibit Awards

Closing Prayer Rabbi Cardozo

National Anthem

Music by Student Band

Director, Lieutenant Joseph Frankel

The Farm Products Exhibits of The National Farm School and
of various Rural Agencies of Bucks County, which had been erected

19

in the Louchheim Auditorium, attracted considerable attention and
much favorable comment. The exhibits comprised both competitive
and educational showings of farm animals, animal products, fruits,
vegetables, soils and other scientific displays.

The following members of the Board of Trustees whose terms of
office had expired were re-elected for a period of three years: Sydney
K. Allman, Jr.. Samuel Cooke, Lester M. Goldsmith, W. A. Haines,
Al Paul Lefton, Albert A. Light, Lee L Robinson, Walter M. Ross-
kam, Harry H. Rubenstein, Bernard Weinberg and Emanuel
\\'irkman.

FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
March 19, 1944

The forty-fourth annual commencement of The National Farm
School was held in the Louchheim Auditorium, on the campus,
Sunda}' afternoon, March 19, 1944.

The graduation address was delivered by Bertram L. Lutton,
Supervisor of the Agricultural Program of the Philadelphia Public
Schools.

Dr. Louis Nusbaum, President of the School, in his remarks be-
fore the presentation of the diplomas and awards, referred to the
decimation of the graduating class of 1944 by the call to selective
service and by enlistments. He pointed out that students who had
been obliged to leave the School for these reasons, before completing
their course, would be eligible to return to the School and resume
their work after the war. Dr. Nusbaum also spoke of the various
fields, outside of its regular three-year training program, in which
the School is using its facilities for the dissemination of agricultural
information to increase war food production.

The program of exercises follows :

Entrance Senior Class

School Song

Invocation Rabbi Joseph Klein, Philadelphia

Welcome Louis Nusbaum, President

Salutatory Joachim Weis

Address Bertram L. Lutton

Supervisor, Agricultural Program,
Philadelphia, Public Schools

Selection by Student Band Lieut. Jos. Frankel, Director

Valedictory Richard H. Kustin

Passing of the Hoe

Farewell Message Herman G. Fiesser, Representing the Faculty

Awarding of Prizes Irwin Klein, Director Student Relations

Introduction of Graduates. W. 0. Strong, Dean of Agriculture

Presentation of Diplomas President Nusbaum

Star Spangled Banner Students and Audience

THE GRADUATES

Animal Husbandry and Dairying

JOACHIM WEIS Allentown, Pa.

Horticulture

TUVIJAS GOLDOFTAS Detroit, Mich.

HARRY H. GRANSBACK Philadelphia, Pa.

BERNARD KASLOVE Bronx, N. Y.

MARTIN W. NABUT Bronx, N. Y.

21

Poultry Husbandry

SEYMOUR B. FREED Newark, N. J.

DAVID W. GOODMAN Long Beach. N. Y.

JACK GUREWITZ Long Island, N. Y.

RICHARD H. KUSTIN Philadelphia, Pa.

JACK W. LIEBER Bronx, N. Y.

HERBERT A. MOSCA, JR Maplewood, N. J.

IRVING WALDMAN New York City

General Agriculture

RICHARD RABEN Philadelphia, Pa.

POST GRADUATE

Animal Husbandry and Dairying

HERBERT CLAYTON WEISER Brooklyn, N. Y.

One- Year Student in Dairying

WILLIAM C. K. JACOB River Edge, N. J.

PRIZE AWARDS

Best General Record Through Three-Year Course:

First Prize Richard H. Kustin

Second Prize Joachim Weis

For Outstanding School Citizenship Richard H. Kustin

For Greatest Improvement and Contribution to

School Spirit Tuvijas Goldoftas

Horticulture Prize — Most Capable and Efficient Senior

in Horticulture Tuvijas Goldoftas

Poultry Prize — Most Capable and Efficient Senior

in Poultry Work Ii'ving Waldman

A number of other prizes are distributed more informally in student

assembly.

FESTIVE AND MEMORIAL TREES

At the Founders Day-Harvest Festival exercises which were held
at the School on Sunday, October 17, 1943, trees were named and
dedicated for the following persons. Rabbi D. A. Jessurun Cardozo,
of Congregation Mikveh Israel, Philadelphia, delivering the address
of dedication:

FESTIVE TREES

William K. Alsbei'g", Philadelphia, Confirmation

Warren P. Goldburg-h, Philadelphia, Confirmation

Jerome La Pides, Baltimore, Confirmation

John Laurence Leopold, Philadelphia, Birth

Jack B. Makransky, Philadelphia, Confirmation

Rhoda Pearlman Nagin, Philadelphia, Birth

Edward Whitehill Rosenbaum, Philadelphia, Confirmation

Henry Wolfe, Philadelphia, Confirmation

MEMORIAL TREES

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles

Mrs. Adolph Weil
San Francisco

Mrs. Leon D. Stone

ILLINOIS
Chicago

Albert S. Louer
Amanda Oppenheimer

MARYLAND
Baltimore

Jennie W. Rosenberg

MISSISSIPPI
Jackson

Eva B. Feibelman

NEW JERSEY
Atlantic City

Mame B. Selig
Deal

Leah Groedel
East Orange

Joseph Davis
Island Heights

Dr. Edward J. Ill
Newark

Franklin Conklin, Sr.

Edward W. Gray

Frieda Lewis

Aaron Poliakow

Ray Puder

Louis Schlesinger
South Orange

William L. J. Fiedler
Ventnor

Max Bacharach

NEW YORK

New York City
Polly De Boer
Rosa De Boer
Jean Gottesman
Jane Manner
Dr. Ira Wile

OHIO

Cleveland
Sinai Klein

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

Amelia M. Abrahamson

Miriam S. Bernard

Dr. Morton Clofine

Sarah Cohn

David Coons

Susannah Dercum

Bertha Dreifus

Elinor Eschner

Mrs. Samuel S. Fels

Benjamin Goldpaint

Herman Klonower

Minnie Lowenstein

Ida Manheimer

N. James Mesirow

Earl B. Putnam

Grace Williams Tower Putnam

Miriam Rothkugel

Ray Rothkugel

Mrs. Lena Spitzer

Simon Stern

Flora G. Weinstock

Alean G. Winkelman

Herman Wolf

Mrs. Henry N. Wessell

WEST VIRGINIA
Bluefield

Ida M. Platnick

23

Ulman Dormitories

RESOLUTIONS
On the Death of Elias Nusbaum

The Board of Trustees of The National Farm School at a
meeting held on Thursday, December 9, 1943, noted with
sincere regret by a rising silent vote the passing on December 4,
1943, of

ELIAS NUSBAUM

a devoted and active member of the Board for many years.
He gave freely of his time and his technical knowledge which
were of great benefit to the School. His fellow Trustees are
deeply appreciative of his sincere co-operation with them in all
matters affecting the varied interests of the School. His finely
developed sense of fairness and justice was conspicuous and was
a source of admiration to all who knew him.

Therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees of The National
Farm School hereby records its sincere regret at the death of
Elias Nusbaum, and takes this means of expressing its sense of
loss sustained by the School and by the Board of Trustees as
individuals, and be it further

RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of these resolutions
be presented to his beloved wife and family and that a tree in
his memory be planted on the campus.

COMMITTEE:

Isidore Baylson
Maurice Jacobs
Theodore G. Rich
Leon Merz, Chairman

25

IN MEMORIAM

During the past year. The National Farm School sustained
the loss of two of its devoted women workers :

Mrs. David Frakkel^ a member of the Women's Auxiliary
Committee for over seventeen years, who served also as that
Committee's secretary, died on December 4, 1943;

Mrs. Lillian Abrahamson Bonsall, advertising director
of the School's Annual Report, passed away on October 22,
1943.

The National Farm School takes this means of recording its
sincere regret and sense of loss in the passing of these two fine
and useful women.

THE NATIONAL FARM SCHOOL
AFTER THE WAR

The National Farm School along with every other institution
and agency in the United States has felt the impact of the great war.
This is as it should be, or the School would not be contributing to the
winning of the war.

Now we are concerned with the peace to come. Again The
National Farm School stands ready to do its utmost in helping to
bring about a stabilized economic situation. Agriculture in general
must play an important part in post war conditioning; and our School
in particular must render specialized service in this field.

The School offers its services in the retraining and rehabilitation
of returned service men for whom some form of farm life is indicated
as a future career. After World War I, The National Farm School
rendered valuable service in this field of rehabilitation training. It has
given similar service to hundreds of adults who have been the victims
of industrial casualties and wdio could prepare for useful careers by
taking specialized courses at this -School. The material gains to in-
dividuals and the morale effect on the continuing of such services
cannot be overestimated. The comforting knowledge that such oppor-
tunities are obtainable is a relief to many minds. Now the facilities
of the School are again available to those service men whose bodies
are mangled or deformed, but who with sympathetically planned
training in some farm pursuit may be able to take their places in
the world as useful and independent citizens.

But this is not the only way that The National Farm School can
play a part in post war agriculture. More than ever before the world
will need the services of scientifically and practically trained agricul-
turists to point the way and to be the leaders in this reconstructional
field. Not only must our own country's production be put in skillful
hands, but world wide need of leaders in farm work will be in con-
stantly increasing demand for a long time to come. The devastated
areas of the whole world will need skilled direction to help re-
habilitate the primal necessity of adequate food production. The
National Farm School, by its outstanding leadership in training men
for such responsibilities is thus offering its facilities for the after war
agricultural program.

27

ALWAYS . . .

^^NEW FIELDS TO CONQUER"...

IN AGRICULTURE

The development of agricultural information within the past
twenty-five years has opened new fields of endeavor. World War I
saw the start of "ersatz" products, a movement which has continued
in European countries up to the present day. Industrial competition
and civilian and war demands of World War II have speeded up the
manufacture of synthetic products in the United States.

Many of these new products are derived from agricultural crops.
Such well known examples of new commercial crops are: guayule
and grains from which synthetic rubber is made; numerous plant
resins for manufacturing plastics; soy beans for oil and plastics; wood
pulp for rayon; f^ax for fiber and oils; milk for cloth. Also, many
established crops like peanut, corn, and cotton are finding new places
in industrial usage. Besides the synthetic products, many crops for-
merly grown in European countries are now being grown here.
Medicinal plants grown chiefly in the South Pacific area are now
appearing on American farms. Specialty crops like castor beans,
arrowroot, rapeseed, imported from other countries, are being con-
sidered for cultivation in the United States. With the wide range of
climatic and soil conditions to be found in this country and because
of our well developed mechanized agricultural practices, there are
unusual possibilities for new crops.

This newer outlook is a challenge to the enterprising youth of
today. "New Fields to Conquer" are as many in agriculture as in the
industrial fields. Farming has a broad scope. To analyze its oppor-
tunities still further, agriculture can be subdivided into three occupa-
tional groups: (1) productive farming; (2) agricultural services; and
(3) educational pursuits.

Environmental factors and individual personalities will determine
which occupation to follow. However, for each occupation a practical
experience and a scientific training in general farming will insure a
more sound foundation for a successful agricultural career. The
National Farm School provides this basic training plus specialized
instruction in productive farming, which refers to all production on
the farm. The National Farm School is endeavoring to demonstrate
that almost limitless opportunities lie before the students who have
the background of training afforded by this School.

28

AMONG OUR GRADUATES

The Jollozvi?ig are a jew of the reports zvhich come to the
School fro7?i Its sons now 171 military service

Cited for Meritorious Service

Major Harry Robertson who graduated from The National Farm
School in 1932 has been awarded the Legion of Merit by the Presi-
dent of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in
the performance of outstanding service while serving as a veterinary
officer in the Iceland Base Command. Major Robertson's citation
from President Roosevelt reads:

"In addition to his military duties, Major Robertson conducted
extensive tests and research into the diseases of domestic animals
then prevalent in Iceland, administered preventive inoculation to
large numbers of cattle, sheep and hogs and advised and assisted
Icelandic farmers in many ways.

"As a result of his efforts, the farmers of Iceland have greatly
benefited, and internal economy of the country has been materially
improved, thereby advancing the already friendly relationship be-
tween the people of Iceland and the United States."

Tells About French Underground

Three times in his thirty-seven years, John J. Asch who gradu-
ated from the Farm School in 1926 has gone to France and today as
a private in the United States Army is looking forward to his fourth
trip to that country. Private Asch is the son of the brilliant novelist,
Sholem Asch.

In a recent letter. Private Asch described many interesting things
in connection with the French Underground from his own exper-
iences. He lived through approximately a hundred bombings and on
one occasion woke up in a first aid station.

He is a horticulturist by profession. Following his graduation
from the Farm School, he did considerable work along those lines in
France and later in Palestine and throughout the near and middle
East as well as at the citrus experiment station of the University
of California.

With his father he assisted in establishing rehabilitation agricul-
tural schools for the victims of the Nazi blight. Later he was con-
nected with the foreign service of the L'nited States State Depart-
ment where a part of his duties consisted in helping to represent
British interests in France. When recently heard from, he was ready
to return to France and expected little trouble In getting to where
he was headed, for the Allied troops were then opening the way.

30

A Fighting Marine

Sergeant Barney Cohen was graduated from The National Farm
School in 1940 and then took post graduate work in vegetable garden-
ing and pomology. After the attack at Pearl Harbor, Barney's desire
to serve his country on the field of battle became so strong, that he
enlisted in the Alarines. Since then he has taken part in many con-
flicts, including the Guadalcanal invasion, Tarawa and Saipan. In
fact, Sergeant Cohen was in the South Pacific war zone for twenty-
three months. During that time, he contracted malaria, but after
having been successfully hospitalized, he returned again to the
combat zone.

A few weeks ago, Barney visited his Alma Mater while on a
thirty-day furlough. His principal interest seemed to be in a return
to Farm School after the war to continue his post graduate course.
His almost three years of military service seem more than ever to
have convinced Barney of his desire to follow agriculture as a career.

In Action with the Bomber Squadrons

Taking part in the invasion of Africa, Sicily and Italy, Sergeant
Max A. Sernoffsky has been in constant action against the enemy.
Max w^as a member of the 1941 graduating class of The National
Farm School. During his three years at the School, he was not only
a fine student but an outstanding athlete.

Frequent letters recei\'ed from Sergeant Sernoffsky express his
concern with post war conditions. Recently, he wrote:

'T will, as soon as possible after my return to the States, go to
Farm School and make arrangements to take a post graduate course
so that after the war I may continue in farmmg.*'

Killed in Action Over Germany

A letter from the father of M. Clyde Maxton, a graduate of the
class of 1933, informed the School of Clyde's death in action over
Germany on January 5, 1944. The letter continues:

"He (Clyde) was a Staff Sergeant stationed in England. He was
first engineer and top turret gunner on a B-24 liberator bomber. This

32

fatal day there were 15UU planes bombing Germany and his was one
of the tift>"-nine that failed to return.

''He was proud of }'our school and his school and expressed his
desire to return to \'isit the School after the war.

"^^ e ha\"e three other sons in the Army and Xavy."

''Clyde was a fine young man and had lots of friends. The train-
ing he received while at The National Farm School contributed much
to his success in business and also in making a fine citizen and soldier.

"I will do my best to interest suitable students in your School that
meet the requirements.''

Other casualties among graduates and former students are:

Alfred A. Savino. accidentally killed while in training. Theodore
Lewis, killed in action at Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941. Alfred
Koslan. missing in action. Alaurice Doerfler. missinR in action.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Annual Meeting

The Alumni Association of The National Farm School held its
Annual Reunion at the School on July 1 and 2. The theme of all of
the sessions was how the alumni as a body and as individuals could
best assist in the welfare and progress of their Alma Mater. The
outlook seemed to be encouraging for increasing the interest and
activities of the association when the more than 360 alumni now in
military service return at the end of the war.

The following were elected as the Alumni Association official
family for 1944-45:

President Fred Weigle

First Vice-President Kenneth B. Mayer

Second Vice-President Sidney Brunwasser

Third Vice-President Benjamin Gartner

Fourth Vice-President Carl Schiff

Fifth Vice-President Archie Toffler

Secretary and Treasurer Samuel B. Sa:\iuels

Steward of Alumni House Solomon Soskin

Alumni Foundation

The Annual Meeting of The National Farm School Alumni
Foundation was held on July 2. This foundation administers a fund
contributed by the Alumni, which now totals more than ^8000. The
purpose of the fund is to make available certain sums for needs
pertaining to the welfare of the Alumni Association, the School or any
of the alumni for agricultural purposes.

The following officers were elected for 1944-45:

President Samuel Golden

Vice-President Alex Burchuk

Treasurer Morris R. Blackman

Secretary Samuel B. Samuels

34

W^ii&ji.-

WHO CAN
ENTER?

WHAT DOES
IT OFFER?

Often we are asked :

"Why should a boy go to The National Farm School?"

"Why should he not go to a rural agricultural high school?"

"Why should he not go to a state college of agriculture?"

It is true these institutions all teach agriculture. The choice must be
made on the basis of individual background and objectives. The National
Farm School is unique in that its procedures are designed primarily for
giving a scientific and practical training in agriculture to boys raised in
city environments and with city associations and concepts. Boys raised
in rural or suburban surroundings make excellent students at this School,
but most of the students come from the cities, and, therefore, require a
different kind of treatment. It is this difference that marks The National
Farm School as apart from other Schools having the same general objec-
tives. We have heard some of our instructors say, "I would have been a
better college student of agriculture if I had had some preliminary train-
ing at Farm School."

The fact that students live, study and work at the School for three
full years gives an orientation in agriculture that can be acquired in
very few institutions. The National Farm School is not in competition
with either agricultural high schools or agricultural colleges. Its academic
instruction covers completely the fields of operation of its practical work.
General and cultural high school and college studies are not included in
the curriculum. Thus, while certain subjects, as in the sciences, are
treated even on a college level, other subjects are omitted.

In normal times, the minimum age of admission is seventeen years
and preference is given to high school graduates. War time conditions
and selective service draft requirements have made it desirable to lower
the admission age to fifteen years, and to accept applicants who give
promise of being able to meet the academic requirements of the School.
Candidates for admission must be in sound health, of good character and
indicate a sincere interest in rural life.

The regular course of training requires three years. Special one-year
courses are also offered. The School year operates from April to April.
Students are admitted from April 1 to July 1. There is no tuition charge.
Liberal maintenance scholarships are available. Incidental fees are
nominal.

Those interested are urged to visit the School for further information
or to write for a catalog.

36

The National Farm School
hereby expresses sincere appreciation to
generous friends whose contributions made
possible the pubhcation of this Annual
Report without cost to the School.

THE NATIONAL FARM SCHOOL

FARM SCHOOL, BUCKS COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA

Membership of The National Farm School
Date

I, the undersigned, being in sympathy with the object of The National
Farm School — the training of youth in the science and practice of agri-
culture — do hereby agree to subscribe as one of the maintainers of the

institution the sum of dollars annually.

Name

Benefactor . .

. $100

Friend

50

Patron

. . 25

Member . . . .

10

Supporter . . .

5

Address

Make checks payable to The National Farm School

Form of Legacy to The National Farm School

"I give and bequeath unto The National Farm School, Bucks County, Pa.,

near Doylestoivn, the sum of dollars

free from all taxes to be paid to the Treasurer, for the time being, for the
use of the institution."

Form of Devise

ON REAL ESTATE OR GROUND RENT

"/ give and devise unto The National Farm School, Bucks County, Pa.,
near Doylestown (here describe the property or ground rent), together with
the ap^nirtenances, in fee simple, and all policies of insurance covering said
premises, whether fire, title or otherwise, free from all taxes."

A donation or bequest of $10,000.00 will found a perpetual scholar-
ship, the income from which will go toward maintaining one student each
year; such scholarship may bear the name of the donor or such names
as the donor may designate. A donation of $900.00 will provide instruction,
board and room of a student for one year (a twelve-month term) ; $2,700.00,
for three years (thirty-six months) to graduation.

Gifts to The National Farm School in Cash, War Bonds and
War Savings Stamps Are Allowable Income Tax Deductions

39

THIS MAP SHOWS LOCATION OF SCHOOL AND HOW IT MAY BE
REACHED BY AUTOMOBILE AND TRAIN

(Reading Railroad trains, operating bettveen Philadelphia and Doylestown, stop
at Farm School station, directly on the grounds of the bchool.J

40