68 



iuul the counties were left to carry on tlieir work from tlie proceeds 

 of the excise funcL 



For a time the county councils appropriated the entire excise fund 

 to local purposes, but later they also assisted the agricultural colleges 

 of their respective districts and aided as well a considerable number 

 of secondary agricultural schools. In ISOO-IDOO, the latest classified 

 date given in the reports of the board of agriculture and fisheries, the 

 assistance given to the agricultural colleges and schools in England 

 and Wales by the county councils amounted to £25,()1('), and £8,i25(» 

 additional was devoted to meeting the expenses of scholarships of stu- 

 dents sent to agricultural colleges by the respective counties. 



In that year the county councils of England and Wales contributed 

 to the maintenance of 23 local secondary schools in Avhich agriculture 

 was taught, and to 37 collegiate centers. Ten of these collegiate cen- 

 ters had been established by Cambridge University, 5 by Reading 

 College, 3 by Durham College, 4 by Nottingham University, 2 by 

 Southeastern Agricultural College, 3 by Yorkshire College, 5 by the 

 University of North Wales, and 5 by the University College of Wales. 



It will thus be seen that the Avork of agricultural education in Great 

 Britain is divided, part being intrusted to the colleges and schools of 

 agriculture supported from the general grant by Parliament distrib- 

 uted by the board of agriculture and part placed under the con.trol of 

 county councils, Avho meet the expenses of their maintenance from the 

 local tax or excise fund. 



The county councils at first constructed courses of study in agricul- 

 ture for these local schools independent of outside aid. Noav, how- 

 ever, they are cooperating Avith the board of agriculture and are 

 availing themselves of the assistance of the board in its advisory 

 capacity respecting their educational purposes. The secretary of the 

 board in his report for 1901, in discussing the cause that led to this 

 cooperation, says : 



It is satisfaetoi-y to I)e able to report that comity councils are evincing an 

 Increasing desire to avail themselves of the assistance of the J)oard in its 

 advisory capacity in the develoi)nient of their educational schemes so far as 

 these hear upon agriculture and rural science. The advice and guidance which 

 the hoard have been thus able to give have resulted not only in tlu- fuller 

 utilization of existing machinery, but as well in the avoidance of duplication 

 of local agencies. Without such central coordinating influenct' there is a tend- 

 ency on the part of the local authorities to proceed without due regard to 

 developments outside their own area, whereas joint action may often result in 

 improved efficiency concurrently with greater economy. 



When the traveling schools were introduced the policy Avas adopted 

 of concentrating the instruction upon one subject. Dairying Avas 

 accordingly selected, and all the strength of the teaching force Avas 

 concentrated in that direction. Gradually the policy was widened to 



