A GREAT LOSS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 974, 15 November 1910, Page 8

A GREAT LOSS.

THE PASSING OF JOHN A. CEAIG. l'ew deaths havo caused such widespread concern in agricultural circles as that of Professor John A. Craig, the noted American specialist, the fact of .whose death was cabled recently. As the passing of Professor Craig has been a subject of conversation among farmers at tho shows,' the following from the last "Livo Stock Journal" will be of interest :- "Tho passing of John A. Craig marks the close of an eventful career in stock husbandry. Thoso who were associated with him. as students-and faculty can best appreciate his worth, though there are practical , stockmen by the thousands in all lands who can testify to the value of his services. . Born with a natural lovo and instinct for animal life, he was all his 'days a student of stock husbandry. Beared among Canadian stockmen, and educated .at. the Ontario Agricultural College, he became the first head of a college department devoted exclusively to live stock at the University of Wisconsin in 1890. He did notable work as a pioneer in this field in formulating methods of teaching and in investigation. In 1898 he came to lowa as the. head of the animal husbandry department of the lowa State College, where he, rerideled excellent service as a teacher and investigator. It was here that he successfully conducted the. first.farmers' short course in stock judging ever offered. The success of this educational innovation was most marked, and it was the beginning of the farmers' short course work which has since become so popular throughout the. United States.' Farmers , came in large numbers, in a sceptical; frame of mind at the' outset, but they went away convinced and enthusiastic, and as a result sent their sons to college in increasing numbers. Animal husbandly work has mado immense strides in the Middle West since the inauguration of this movement. It was here that he wrote and published .the best bock on stock judging that has yet ,been given to the public, a work that is standard authority for the stockmen and colleges of the United States. "Professor Craig's work was based on the theory that accurate and scientific knowledge. ,6f farm animals can best be acquired by a study, of .the animals themselves, a principle that is eminently eound in all agricultural education. He brought to his work rare native ability, an analytical mind, and broad , scientific instincts. His investigations and study were always guided by inquiry into practical problems. His conclusions bore the weight of honest conviction, based on the truth. as ,revealed by .investigation. He was a sound investigator, a methodical and systematic and forceful teacher. But more than that, he war> a man of Tare personal, charm and lovable character."