26 



Throuoh tho aid supplied by the local experiment fields and gardens 

 the itinerant teachers are able also to demonstrate in an ocular, and 

 therefore most convincing wa}'^, the truth of many of the theori(!s that 

 the}' pr(\sent and to show their adaptability to the conditions that exist 

 in that particular community. 



PRUSSIA. 



The methods pursued in imparting agricultural instruction in Prussia 

 are substantially those in use in the other German States. The Prus- 

 sian S3'stem is therefore presented as typical of work of this character 

 throughout the Empire. 



In reply to an inquiry respecting the system in use in Prussia cor- 

 responding to the farmers' institutes of the United States, the follow- 

 ing statement was received from the minister of agriculture and forestry 

 of Prussia: 



The different provinces of the Kingdom of Prussia, twelve in number, are pro- 

 vided with chambers of agriculture, established by law as bodies representing the 

 agricultural interests of the province. Under the auspices of these institutions 

 courses of lectures for practical farmers are given each year. The course, as a rule, 

 lasts for from two to five days. The lectures are delivered either where the chambers 

 are located or at some other convenient and accessible place. 



The instruction is free to all farmers except that in some rare instances a nominal 

 tuition is required. The lectures are delivered by professors of neighboring schools, 

 by leading practical agriculturists, or by officers of the chamber. The su})iect treated 

 in the lecture is usually discussed before adjournment. 



The preparation and selection of the topics, as w-ell as the direction and carrying 

 out of the course, is entirely in the hands of the chamber of agriculture, and the 

 money paid for the lectures is drawn from their appropriation. The fee for a one- 

 hour discourse is usually from 50 to 100 marks [|12 to ?24]. 



The attendance varies considerably in the different provinces, but an average 

 attendance upon a course may be assumed to be about 100. These courses for prac- 

 tical farmers have proved a success and are considered as a very valuable.complement 

 to the activities of the different grades of agricultural schools. 



In a report on agricultural education in north Germany b}' Mr. 

 H. M. Jenkins, secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- 

 land, the sj'stem of agricultural education in north German}^ by 

 means of itinerant lecturers is very fully outlined. He states that: 



They travel through the provinces and discuss the more important agricultural 

 questions at assendilies of farmers convoked for the purpose. After the lecture, fol- 

 low discussions and an exchange of views and experiences. The lecturers are usually 

 teachers in the winter agricultural schools who give instruction in these sc1k)o1s in 

 the winter and take up the work of traveling lecturers [Wander-Lehrer] during the 

 summer. 



The relation existing between the winter agricultural schools and 

 the summer courses of lectures is such that for the proper under- 

 standing of their respective functions it is necessary that the character 

 and purpose of each of these classes of schools should be outlined. 



