134 CHEMICO-AGKICULTURAL TOUR. 



implements ; and I saw amongst them a number of very ingenious 

 ones, which were invented by some of the poorer German peasants 

 and were sent there for exhibition, and to have their practicability 

 tested, as I was informed that this college was considered one of 

 the chief authorities in Germany as to all questions relating to 

 practical agriculture. 



At the time I visited this institution there were about one hun- 

 dred and fifty pupils there, who were of two classes ; the first con- 

 sisting of the sons of the surrounding gentry, and of foreigners, 

 some of whom were of high rank ; these pupils pay about thirty- 

 seven pounds for their board and the instruction they receive, 

 which, with extra expenses, amounts to about fifty pounds a year. 

 These take no part in the practical operations of the farm, which 

 are performed by the pupils of the second class, who are the sons 

 of the neighboring peasants, and are destined to become land- 

 stewards or small farmers ; these latter pupils are maintained at 

 the expense of the College, and when they are not engaged with 

 the occupations of the farm, have the opportunity of attending the 

 course of lectures, &c., given in the College. The course of in- 

 struction, which extends over a period of about two years, seems 

 to be very complete. It consists of two parts, the theoretical and 

 practical ; the former being taught by lectures, combined with in- 

 ternal stud}', on the prescribed branches of general education, as 

 well as on those departments of natural science bearing on agricul- 

 ture ; the latter, by taking the pupils out to witness, Under their 

 respective teachers, the various practical operations of the farm, 

 which afibrd them ample opportunities for acquiring a thorough 

 knowledge of practical agriculture. When the pupils have gone 

 through the prescribed curriculum of study, it is optional with them 

 to submit themselves, or not, to a final examination, which if they 

 pass they receive a certificate stating that they have been properly 

 educated in the science and practice of agriculture ; but, as this 

 examination is not compulsory, many do not undergo it. 



On the farm, amongst other objects of interest, I was shown a 

 very simple and excellent arrangement for washing sheep ; it con- 

 sisted of an oblong tank sunk in the ground, of about twenty or 

 'thirty feet in length, by somewhat less in breadth, and being about 

 three or four feet deep, which was constructed on the side of a 

 sloping bank ; and into this flowed a little stream of water, con- 

 veyed into it by two wooden shoots, which projected a few feet 



