23 



they are sold or surrendered, and the stations arc moved to other com- 

 munities. In this way the people in all sections of the country are 

 made acciuaintod with new and improved methods in agriculture 

 through practical demonstrations. 



ITINERANT LECTURERS. 



In addition to the foregoing elaborate system of instruction in agri- 

 culture, there is in operation a system of institutes not unlike those of 

 the United States. During the year lU()8-4, 3<»0 agricultural meet- 

 ings of this character were held in Hungary, at w^hich there were in 

 attendance over 24-5000 persons. The meetings were addressed by a 

 corps of 635 lecturers. 



The lecture force is divided into two classes. One class is composed 

 of what are known as ''itinerant lecturers," and the other as "ama- 

 teurs." The ••itinerant lecturers" are appointed by the agricultural 

 minister. Their duties are to travel through the lural districts and 

 deliver lectures on agricultural matters, making known the newest 

 results of experience and the most approved methods for the improve- 

 ment of agriculture. These lecturers are employed by the year, and 

 are paid salaries ranging from 8050 to 8T50. with from 8T.5 to $200 

 additional for house rent and $200 annually for traveling expenses. 



The "amateurs" are chosen from time to time b}^ the local agricul- 

 tural societies from among experts and capable landlords, farmers, 

 college men, and county and State officials. They lecture only during 

 the winter and receive but a small compensation in addition to their 

 traveling expenses. These " amateurs " deal more particularly with 

 the practical side of agriculture, and are selected with special regard 

 to the local conditions that exist in the several communities. 



Many of the lectures are given on Sundays and holidays. This is 

 the usual rule when da^^time meetings are held. During week days 

 the lectures are given in the evenings in town halls and schoolhouses. 

 At times under special circumstances, wiien the attendance is unusu- 

 ally large, meetings are held in the open air. 



Many of the lectures are published by the agricultural minister, and 

 distributed free among those in attendance at the institute meetings. 

 The organization of the courses in the winter schools, together with 

 the selection of the dates and places of the meetings, is intrusted to the 

 local agricultural societies, who are required to present a detailed plan 

 of the course two or three months in advance to the agricultural 

 minister. 



In 1903-4 over 2,400 lectures on agricultural subjects were delivered 

 in farmers' institute meetings. 



