DAIRYING IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. 11 



cheese in large and small dairies, with improved machinery and 

 implements, as well as by ordinary appliances. 



Prizes for proficiency at the end of each course are awarded. 

 The fee for the session of six weeks is £3. This fee covers the 

 expense of board, lodging, washing, and medical attendance. As 

 the pupils are required to take part in the work of the dairy, 

 they must bring to the institution a serviceable dress, aprons, 

 &c., which should be of plain washing material. Some respect- 

 able person must certify that the applicant is of good moral 

 character. She must produce a medical certificate of health 

 and freedom from any cutaneous disease. Each student who 

 desii'es it receives a certificate, bearing testimony to general 

 conduct and proficiency in studies. There will in future be two 

 sessions of six weeks each in the year. 



Professor Can-oil says that there are generally from 40 to 

 50 pujjils for the agricultural course of eight months ; and from 

 20 to 30 female pupils for each of the six weeks' dairy sessions. 

 The male and female pupils are at the institution during 

 different periods. In 1885 the Commissioners established the 

 system of dairy instruction for females, and the dairy course for 

 young men commenced in 1886. 



Special fees are given in Ireland for instruction in dairying 

 in such schools as possess means of practical teaching. There 

 are two such schools, for example, already established — the one, a 

 convent school for girls, at Navan, co. Meath ; the other, a con- 

 vent school, at Ballaghaderreen, co. Mayo. 



In all rural national schools for boys the teaching of agri- 

 culture is compulsory, although it is optional with girls. The 

 Commissioners have sanctioned the payment of result fees for 

 proficiency in dairy work to schools where dairy management is 

 taught at national schools. The dairy instructor must, how- 

 ever, hold a certificate of competency ; a dairy must also be in 

 operation near the school, and be furnished with suitable ap- 

 pliances, and at least five cows must be kept. The pupils are 

 examined periodically in the theory and practice of dairy 

 management, as the approved extra branch, and fees are paid in 

 accordance with the scale. 



We thus see that Ireland is fairly well eqiiipped with a system, 

 although it applies chiefly to butter-making. 



As Glasnevin Institution has now an important dairy 

 school for both sexes, and as there are three dairies and 

 three farms equipped and worked upon conditions correspond- 

 ing with those of the three classes of farmers in Ireland, it 

 will be useful to quote the actual cost of the entire establish- 

 ment for the past few j'ears, and the number of pupils of all 

 classes who have availed themselves of the opportunities it 

 affords — 



