16 



complied with the details as to time, etc., are settled directly between the appli- 

 cants and the director of the course. There is no State official in charge of this 

 work, Init it is directed on behalf of the cooperating societies by the head master of 

 the agricultural school at Lyngby, Sealand. He receives $21(5 a year from a private 

 institution to superintend the work. 



The director asks as many as possible of the experienced teachers of the agricul- 

 tural schools and others, such as agricultural government advisers, veterinarians, 

 etc., to act as lecturers. In 1903 twenty to thirty answered his call. To each course 

 are detailed two or three lecturers, of whom one has taken part in former courses 

 and is the head lecturer of the course. 



Each course lasts two weeks, i. e., twelve days, with three lectures of forty minutes 

 a day, and daily instruction in agricultural bookkeeping of seventy-five minutes. 

 During the second week the lessons are followed by debating and question hours. 



The lecturers are chosen by the director with due regard to the wishes of the pupils. 



The lecturers get free transportation and all expenses. They are guaranteed $19 

 for one lecture a day and $26 for two. 



Each member of the course pays a fee varying from $2 to $2.70, according to the 

 number of members. They further pay 80 cents to $1 each for ledgers for book- 

 keeping, room, etc. If the fees exceed the expenses, the excess is divided between 

 the lecturers. 



From 1898 to 1902 all expenses were covered by the fees. From 1902 the Govern- 

 ment has allowed $1,350, and from April 1, 1904, it has increased the amount to 

 $2,700, to assist poor agriculturists to follow the courses. 



The lecturers have other occupations, and they often only give lectures on one or 

 a few of the courses. 



During the year April 1, 1903, to March 31, 1904, twenty such courses were organ- 

 ized; more were requested, but could not be organized, owing to lack of lecturers. 

 The courses were attended by 25 to 75 persons, or on an average by 50, which for 20 

 courses gives a total of about 1,000. 



The cost for the students of each course was $80 to $100, exclusive of expenses for 

 books, etc. 



FRANCE. 



The dut}^ of providing instruction in agriculture for the people in 

 the rural districts of France is recognized by the State, and has been 

 made an important part of its system of public instruction. The pri- 

 mary and secondary schools, as well as the higher institutions of learn- 

 ing, are all required to teach this su])ject, the instruction varying in 

 amount according to the grade of school and degree of preparation of 



the pupils. 



The important place that agriculture occupies in the life of the 

 French people is shown by the number engaged in this occupation. 

 In a population of 38,517,975 in 1896, 6,600,000 were farmers, occupy- 

 ing 5,702,752 separate farms. A great majority of these farmers till 

 comparatively few acres, 97 per cent of the farm properties in France 

 consisting of less than 100 acres. 



The work of giving agricultural instruction is thoroughly system- 

 atized, and arranged to reach all of the workers and their children with 

 valuable information relating to their occupation. At the head of the 

 system is the minister of education and line arts, who is clothed with 



