314 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



education siillicuMitly ('fnii))])('<l lo ciinblo (Iiciii to ciu'oll mU tlic stu- 

 dents ciipahlc of heiii"; heiietited l)y the instruct ion <xivcn. 



As instruction in the higher branches of a<;ricuUure is the most 

 coni])lex of all kinds of instruction, and as it constitutes a real ency- 

 cloju'dia of all tlu" branches of agriculture, it is desirable that the 

 pupils at a certain (le<]:ree of advancement in their studies be allowed 

 to specialize with a view to fitting themselves for the particular line 

 of work thev intend to follow. From this time on the students would 

 no longer pursue the same courses nor the same exercises indiscrimi- 

 nately, and would be given an opportunity to devote themselves to the 

 subjects of greatest interest to them. To accomplish this result it 

 would be advisable to add a third year, known as the "year of spe- 

 cialization." to the course of studies in those institutions which now 

 retain their students for only two years. 



There is need of developing laboratory practice in the institutions 

 of higher agricultural education. This is the only instruction which 

 these institutions can give directly to their students. 



The institutions of higher agricultural education ought to be located 

 in cities, or preferably, near them. Such a location would encourage 

 them to work up and maintain close relations with agricultural inter- 

 ests. All means tending to strengthen these relations, and particu- 

 larly laboratories for research work, frequently visited by farmers, 

 should be established. In connection Avith this plan it would be 

 interesting to establish for farmers lectures on practical subjects, 

 these lectures to be given at the time of large agricultural gatherings. 



It is desirable that the universities direct their instruction more and 

 more toward the application of the sciences to agriculture. 



That greater importance be placed upon commercial instruction 

 in the higher and secondary schools of agriculture. 



Seventh I nternational Congress of Agricvltnre, Rome^ 1003. — That 

 in the higher institutions of learning in which courses in political 

 economy are given, the professors be requested to devote a large part 

 of their time to questions relating to agriculture. 



First International Congress of Agricultural Education^ Pari^, 

 290J^. — Agricultural instruction in the higher and secondary institu- 

 tions of university standing ought to be of a special character. It 

 ought to be theoretical and should meet the professional needs of the 



country. 



It should be based upon the fundamental principles of mathemat- 

 ics, physics, chemistry, and the natural sciences, and their application 

 to animal and vegetable production. 



It should include in the higher institutions special courses in ap- 

 plied sciences, varying in number according to needs and circum- 

 stances, and included in the following list: 



Agricultural chemistry, physiological botany, bacteriology, applied 



