PKOCEEDIXGS AT GENEKAL MEETINGS. 37 



tip to a certain point, it appears to the committee that little or nothing is being 

 done towards the higher education of those who really intend to make agriculture 

 their business, and that there is therefore an urgent need for the establishment in 

 »Scotland of one or more agricultural colleges, with farms attached, at which practical 

 instruction and manual labour would play an important part, and at which the charges 

 would be so moderate as to be within the means of farmers' sons, or those who 

 really wish to obtain a thorough practical education, and who are prepared to put 

 their shoulders to the wheel. 



The committee are of opinion that the Government should be approached, and 

 strongly urged to extend the aid already given by the Science and Art Department, 

 and to assist in the establishment of agricultural colleges. 



It is no doubt a very discouraging feature of the whole question, that there appears 

 to be such a disinclination to take advantage even of the imperfect opportunities 

 already atibrded ; but it would be fatal on that account to discontinue making every 

 effort to awaken those interested in agriculture to tlie vital importance of training up 

 the coming agriculturists to a thorough knowledge of the science of their business, 

 without which they cannot expect to meet the increased competition, coupled with the 

 xincertainties of climate, to which they will be exposed. In regard, then, to agri- 

 cultural education, the committee recommend — 1, That the Education Department be 

 again memorialised to recognise the elements of agriculture as a specific subject, and 

 for which a grant may be earned, in elementary schools. 2. That the aid afforded by 

 the Science and Art Department should be made more widely known. 3. That as far as 

 possible the scholarships and bursaries offered by the Highland and Agricultural 

 Society should be more fully advertised and made known. 4. That there is an urgent 

 need for the establishment in Scotland of one or more agricultural colleges, in which 

 higher scientific teaching would be combined with practice, but at which the charges 

 would be within the means of those who intended to make agriculture their business. 

 5. That these resolutions be laid before tlie Royal Agricultural Commission, and the 

 importance of the subject of higher agricultural education be very strongly urged upon 

 them. 



In regard to scientific agriculture, it must be apparent to every one that real progress 

 can only be made by means of experiments. These are no doubt continually being 

 made by individuals, but the benefits thus obtained are in most cases entirely local, 

 showing that there is a need for organisation, by means of which the number of ex- 

 periments might be very much increased, and the beneficial results brought within the 

 reach of a very much larger number. The advantages of experimental stations have 

 been thoroughly recognised in Germany, where there are a large number, and they 

 ■would seem to be extending in France, Italy, and other countries. In England, ex- 

 periments are carried on under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural Society at 

 Woburn, by Mr. Lawes at Rothamstead, and at both the Agricultural Colleges. In 

 Scotland there are the two stations conducted by the Society's chemist, and there is an 

 Agricultural Association in the county of Aberdeen, which was established in 1875. 

 Tliere are five stations, the first established in Scotland at which, under the guidance 

 of Mr. Jajnieson, a series of very important experiments have been carried on, and the 

 association has annually published most interesting and valuable reports. Under the 

 auspices of this association and Mr Jamieson, two stations have also been established 

 in England, at Huntingdon and in Kent. Dr Aitken, at the request of the committee, 

 submitted a report, of which the following is an extract : — 



*'The first thing that ought to be done is to make the best po.ssible use of the 

 organisation that exists in the form of local anah'tical associations and other farmers' 

 clubs throughout the country. Now that the analytical associations, or most of them, 

 are coming into correspomience with the Highland and Agricultural Societ}', and 

 making the Society a bond of union in promoting the work which they have been 

 organised to do, I think it behoves the Society to take the initiative in diverting the 

 energies of these associations in a new and ]»ractical direction. I wouKl invite them 

 all to co-operate in the carrying out of a few simple, practical, and jiracticablc field 

 experiments on a small scale, and easy of comprehension, in onler to prove for them- 

 selves and see for themselves — 1. What are tlie most efieitive an<l economical manures 

 to apply for each district, and the most economical way to a))]>ly them. 2. The most 

 economical method of producing a pound of Itoefor mutton under the conditions of 

 each jiarticular district. Lot each association be askeil to choosi* from among its mem- 

 bers one or more farmers able and willing to exi»eriment, and ]>ersonally superintend 

 the whole experiment. Let them be asked to write a rej^ort of tin- experiment, and 

 have it read and discussed before their association. Let these reports and the chief 

 points of interest in the discussion be jmblisheil, and a co])y he sent to the Highland 

 and Agricultural Society. Let the Society prepare a combined rejiort of all the ex- 

 periments for publication, cither in the Transucdoyis or in a sej>arate form, for distri- 

 Dution among the associations, &c. lA't each association subscrilx; or find an annual 

 sum to defray the expense of these ex])eriments, ami let the encouragement of local 



