500 NOTES. 



Agricultural Education In Russia. — The Government of Russia is planning 

 for the establishment of a quite extensive system of agricultural education. At a 

 recent meeting of the agricultural council, an advisory body of which the minister 

 of agriculture is chairman, an outline presented by the minister was considered at 

 length and a general plan of agricultural education was elaborated. The introduc- 

 tory to this document states that notwithstanding the fundamental importance of 

 agriculture to Russia and the great fertility of some of the Russian soils, "the crops 

 obtained even on the chernozem (black soil) are only one-third to one-half as large 

 as those harvested from the incomparably inferior soils of Western Europe. Almost 

 everywhere in Russia the primitive processes of farming are persistently followed by 

 the farmers, while the number of persons who are fitted by education and training 

 to disseminate information on the rational methods of agriculture is comparatively 

 insignificant." The scheme outlined provides for (1) higher education, furnished by 

 independent agricultural institutes located iu the chief agricultural zones of Russia, 

 and by chairs of agriculture and allied sciences iu the universities; (2) agricultural 

 high schools, which are in the nature of technical schools and schools with courses 

 in agriculture; (3) lower agricultural schools; and (4) the diffusion of general agri- 

 cultural information. The schools for the so-called lower education include («) 

 secondary agricultural schools, (b) primary agricultural schools, (c) agricultural 

 classes, and (d) practical agricultural courses. These lower schools are to be under 

 the jurisdiction of the minister of agricultural and imperial domains. They are to 

 be maintained at the expense of municipalities, local communities, associations, etc. 

 but may receive a part of their support from the Government. They are to have the 

 franking privilege for official mail matter and packages not exceeding 36 lbs. in 

 weight. The secondary schools are to be established on government land or land 

 donated for that purpose. The other lower agricultural schools may be established 

 on private estates. The secondary schools are open to young men of all conditions 

 who have completed the course in the primary public schools. The course of instruc- 

 tion covers 4 years, and includes in addition to the general studies the elements of 

 the natural sciences, agricultural and rural economy, cattle raising, veterinary, 

 agricultural law, horticulture, gardening, etc., together with carpentry and black- 

 smithing in their application to agricultural machinery. The primary agricultural 

 schools are open to all who can read and write and have a knowledge of arith- 

 methic as far as fractions. The courses last from 1 to 3 years. They include, aside 

 from general studies, instruction in the elements of agriculture, with practical 

 exercises. The classes in agriculture are intended for the instruction of young 

 men of the peasant class. The course does not last longer than 2 years, and con- 

 sists in the study of the rudimentary principles of agriculture and their application 

 to the local conditions. The successful completion of the courses in these 3 grades 

 of the lower agricultural schools carries with it certain reductions in the military 

 requirements, dependent upon the grade. The practical agricultural courses are 

 designed to impart popular information in particular branches of agriculture. The 

 instruction docs not continue for more than a year, and consists in demonstrations, 

 talks, and practical exercises in different branches of agriculture iu their application 

 to local conditions, and especially to the conditions of the peasants. The diffusion 

 of general agricultural information is to be provided for by (1) the organization of 

 public readings or lectures on agricultural questions for the benefit of different 

 classes of the population, (2) instruction of the teachers in the public schools in 

 agriculture, horticulture, gardening, apiculture, etc., and providing the public 

 schools with small plats of land and means for cultivating the same, (3) the teaching 

 of agriculture in the normal schools, and (4) the introduction of supplementary 

 courses in agriculture in the village schools. There are now in Russia 3 schools for 

 higher agricultural instruction, 9 agricultural high schools, 83 lower schools, and 

 59 special courses. Steps have already been taken for the establishment of about 50 

 additional agricultural schools. 



