Farriery. Instruction was given in this subject by means of lectures by a veterinary surgeon. A course of three lectures was given at each of eight centres. After the classes each year the County Council arranges a competition at the Northamptonshire Agricultural Society's show, which is restricted to smiths who have attended at least two of the above lectures, and in addition made and put on a shoe in the presence and to the satisfaction of the lecturer. The total attendance at the lectures was 103, and of these 79 qualified for the competition. Farm Hygiene. Farriery. Manual Processes. Horticulture. Instruction in this subject was provided by practical demonstrations in the spring and summer, and by lectures in the winter. The work was done by the county staff instructor. Courses of two to four lectures each were given at 14 centres to an average attendance of 32. School or other Gardens.-There were five gardens attached to Elementary Day schools in this county. One was worked on the collective plot system, and the remaining four on the individual plot system. The total number of pupils who received instruction was 70. Fruit Growing Stations.-Four such stations were provided, one being at Cockle Park; the average area of each was one-quarter of an acre. At these fruit stations demonstrations were given periodically on planting, spraying, pruning, banding, &c. Training of Elementary School Teachers. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. County Staff. See the Midland Agricultural and Dairy College (page 45). Organisation. The agricultural education work of this county is conducted almost entirely through the agency of the above College. School or College.-The College is maintained by this County Council in conjunction with those for Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and the Lindsey Division of Lincolnshire. Agriculture.-Lectures on agricultural subjects were given at ten centres. In all 16 lectures were given to an average attendance of 36, and some demonstrations in summer were also held. Bulletins giving the results of experiments are widely distributed and agricultural exhibits of an educational nature are held at local shows. A greater interest is being felt by the farmers in this subject, and large numbers visit and inspect the above College annually. The demand for lectures continues to increase, and letters asking for advice are frequently received. Field Experiments. These were carried out on 18 farms, and consisted of manurial trials on potatoes (four), mangolds (four), swedes (three), and seeds-hay (four), variety tests with mangolds and swedes (one each), sandy land rotation trials and experiments on the inoculation of legumes. Seven of the lectures enumerated under the previous heading were specially explanatory of the results of these experiments. There is a great demand for these experiments, especially from farmers who have had them carried out on their farms previously. The explanatory lectures on the results were well attended, and in nearly all cases useful discussions arose. Experimental Farm.-The experimental work on the farm attached to the College is conducted for the benefit of this county together with other counties in the Midlands. Dairying. The dairy school at the College was attended by 35 students from this county. There is a very great demand for dairy scholarships. An itinerant school is maintained in conjunction with Derbyshire, and instruction is given in butter and soft-cheese making. The school visited four centres for ten days each, and the total attendance was 48, all the pupils taking the full course. A competition is held at each centre the school visits, and scholarships are awarded tenable at the College. The school also attends local agricultural shows at which buttermaking competitions are held. Poultry Keeping.—A course of four lectures was given at each of three centres to an average attendance of 58. The subject seems to be popular in the county, and there is stated to be a greater demand for lectures than the county is prepared to supply. Bee Keeping. Instruction is given in this subject by means of lectures and demonstrations at local agricultural shows, and visits. of advice to bee-keepers. 195 apiaries were visited and 716 stocks of bees inspected. In addition, a single lecture was given in the county. Farm Hygiene.-A course of six lectures was given at one centre and of four lectures at another centre, to an average attendance of 25. Many applications for lectures were received, but they could. not be granted. Farriery. Manual Processes. Horticulture.-A course of four lectures was given at each of three centres, to an average attendance of 31. Two demonstrations were also given to an average attendance of 35. School or other Gardens.-There was one garden attached to an Elementary Day school in this county. It was worked on the collective plot system, and 12 pupils received instruction. There was also one Evening school garden at which 16 pupils received instruction. Many of the teachers in the elementary schools have small gardens adjoining the schools, in which instruction is Agriculture. Instruction is given in this subject through the University College, Reading. Courses of two or three lectures each were given at four centres to an average attendance of 16. The subjects of the lectures were the foods and feeding of farm stock, manures and manuring, &c. Field Experiments.-These were carried out through the University College, Reading, at five centres, to determine the effect on the yield of swedes of variable distances between the plants. Experimental Farm.-The experimental work carried out on the farm attached to the University College, Reading, is for the benefit of this county together with other counties which support it. Dairying. Poultry Keeping. Bee Keeping. Farm Hygiene.— |
