352 RErOKT OF OFFICE OF FXPElllMENT STATIONS. 



profjress in the erection of l)uiklinfrs Jmd the acquiring of facilities 

 for instruction aloiij; ajjricnltuial liiics. The total enrollment for the 

 lirst year was 20, and for the second year 52, the latter including 

 40 boys and 12 girls. Out of the total enrollment, 20 are in the agri- 

 cultural course, 1-i in the mechanics, 12 in tlie domestic science, and 7 

 unassigned. At the session beginning in the fall of 1{)05 the number 

 of students has reached 100. 



In Alabama the boards of control of the 9 district agricultural 

 schools have decided to recjuire each boy (o work at least two hours a 

 week on (he school farm and each girl to do practical work in flori- 

 culture and other kindred subjects. 



The Colorado State board of agriculture is making an experiment 

 in the introduction of agriculture into the high schools of that State. 

 Mcmbci's of the agricultural college faculty are giving short courses 

 of lectures in a number of liigh schools. If sufficient interest is thus 

 aroused, an attemj)t will be made by the board next year to introduce 

 agricultural instruction into the high schools generally. 



In Porto Rico a farm of 100 acres has been purchased at Rio 

 •Piedras for the agricultural department of the recently established 

 University of Porto Rico, and an agricultural school of secondary 

 grade was begun in February, 1005, in connection with the normal 

 school. A herd of cows has been purchased and a model dairy 

 installed. Well-bred swine and horses will also be kept. Besides 

 instruction a propaganda for the improvement of agricultural condi- 

 tions in the island Avill be carried on in cooperation with the experi- 

 ment station at Mayaguez under the direction of this Office. The stu- 

 dents in this school devote the morning hours to practical work in the 

 fields and the afternoon hours to class work. 



PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 



During the past year there has been widespread discussion and 

 agitation regarding the introduction of nature study and elementary 

 agriculture into the common schools. The number of schools in the 

 cities and larger villages in which nature study forms a part of the 

 course steadily increases, and this movement is spreading to the rural 

 schools. School gardens are more generally used in connection w'ith 

 such instruction, and both the subjects taught and the plants grown 

 have more direct relation to practical agriculture and horticulture. 

 The laws of some 30 States now^ permit the teaching of agriculture in 

 the common schools. Considerable Avork is being done by the State 

 departments of agriculture, county school officers, agricultural col- 

 leges, and normal schools in encouraging and preparing teachers to 

 give elementary agricultural instruction, and helps of various kinds 

 are being published in large numbers. Publications of this character 



