Hereford ... ... Hertford ... ... A large amount of good undoubtedly results from the classes. I should like to see a larger number of young labourers amongst the students. Quite half the students are sons of working farmers. The farmers acknowledge that since the instruction has been given a marked improvement has taken place in the work done by the men. They also appreciate the benefits derived thereby. Lincoln, Parts of Kesteven There is evidence throughout the county of this form of instruction being highly appreciated. In some instances, however, the pupils appear too old to benefit much by the instruction, and attend more with the object of competing for the prizes offered. Notwithstanding, a goodly number of the young students follow up the work afterwards to the benefit of their employers. Lincoln, Parts of Lindsey The instruction is generally recognised as having Somerset (N.E. Farmers' Somerset (Frome District been most useful. It interests both farmers and labourers. The number of courses now applied for is not, however, so great as formerly. This accounted for by the fact that the Day School managers are now recognised as the local committees instead of specially selected committees as heretofore, and the managers do not take so much interest in the subject as local committees of farmers. The value of such instruction is far-reaching in its effect; it enables those taught to understand the principles that underlie the manual work they do, training as it were their eyes, hands, and brains to work together. (The answer referred to subjects not included in manual processes.) About 30 pupils, who are mostly the sons of farm labourers, receive instruction in sheep-shearing every year. Good hedgers are scarce in the district. Much interest was excited by the competitors; and without a doubt the instruction will tend to increase the number of good workmen. Much good would result from instruction of this character, particularly as regards hedging. Fences have very greatly deteriorated in recent years. When the thatching commenced it was so difficult to get workers that many ricks remained without roofs all the winter. Now a large number of farms have labourers capable of putting on a good roof. The character of the hedging and ditching has greatly improved, closer and healthier living hedge resulting. Much more interest is taken in practical milking tests of cows. This work has been carried on in this county for eight years, and an improvement in the hedges is always noticed after a class has been held. Often pupils are afterwards able to obtain plenty of work in the winter in layering fences. It is considered that the instruction given is of great advantage Agriculture. In addition to the courses of instruction in agricultural subjects held at the Institute, a single lecture was given at each of four centres to an average attendance of 30. Field Experiments.-These were carried out on seven farms and comprised variety experiments with wheat, beans, oats, barley, mangolds, and potatoes; manurial experiments on grass land for hay and on potatoes; manurial experiments on vetches in rotation; and the treatment of finger and toe in turnips. Two of the lectures enumerated under the previous heading were specially explanatory of the results of these experiments. Experimental Farm.-A few experiments are carried out on the farm attached to the Agricultural Institute at Ridgmont, one being conducted in connection with investigations carried out at Cambridge. The farm at this latter place is also conducted for the benefit of this and other counties in the district. Dairying. Two courses, each of five weeks' duration, were held at the Institute. The number of pupils from this county attending the courses was 24. Poultry Keeping. This subject is included in the courses held at the Ridgmont Institute for men and women. In addition, a course of five lectures was given at each of three centres to an average attendance of 40. Bee Keeping. This subject is included in the courses held at the Ridgmont Institute. Farm Hygiene.-Lectures and demonstrations are given on this subject to the male students attending the courses at Ridgmont. Farriery. Instruction is given in this subject by means of an itinerant teacher. Four centres were visited during a period of six weeks. Six meetings of two hours each were held at each centre for practical work, and during each course two lectures of one hour each were given by a veterinary surgeon. The total attendance was 40, and the number attending the full course was 18. Manual Processes. Horticulture. School and other Gardens.—Gardens were attached to 26 Elementary Day schools in this county. They were all worked on the individual plot system, and instruction was given to a total number of about 270 pupils. Fruit-growing Stations-The experimental fruit station belonging to the Duke of Bedford is situated at Woburn, in this county, but the County Council has no official connection with it. Training of Elementary School Teachers. BERKSHIRE. County Staff.. See University College, Reading (page 33). Organisation.-The agricultural education work of this county. is conducted entirely through the agricultural department of the University College, Reading. School or College.-The above College receives an annual grant from the County Council, in respect of the agricultural work conducted there. Agriculture.-One lecture was given on this subject to an audience of 22. Field Experiments.-An experiment on swedes to determine the effect on the yield of variable distances between the plants was carried out at nine centres. An experiment on poor grass land was carried out at three centres and on varieties of potatoes at one centre. Experimental Farm.-The experimental work carried out on the farm attached to the agricultural department of the University College, Reading, is for the benefit of this county together with other counties working in connection with this College. Dairying. The British Dairy Institute is situate in this county, and is indirectly supported by the county through the University College, Reading. Poultry Keeping.— Bee Keeping. Farm Hygiene. Farriery. Manual Processes. Horticulture. This work is conducted through the horticultural department of the University College, Reading. A sequence of four courses of ten lectures each was given to gardeners in Reading and the neighbourhood. The subjects taken were botany in relation to horticulture; the classification of plants: fungoid pests; and soils and manures. The courses were very popular and were attended by an average of 45 persons. The extensive horticultural station attached to the above College is available for this county as well as others. School or other Gardens.-There were gardens attached to 16 Elementary Day schools in this county all of which were worked on the individual plot system. |
