300 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 38 



convalescents have also helped in field husbandry, soil preparation, harvesting, 

 etc. 



What are known as the royal agricultural schools, inoorporated by the legis- 

 lature of Quebec, are designed to give instruction to the sons of soldiers. 

 These schools and farms are situated in the township of Howard, Argenteuil 

 County, and are open to the sons of all soldiers who have taken part in the 

 war. The property of the s-chools consists of 3,468 acres, with a large residen- 

 tial building to accommodate 25 boys, a residence for teachers, and a number 

 of cottages for workmen. The parents of the boys will be under no expense 

 for their sons while they are at the schools, and when of sufficient age the 

 boys will be assisted in making a start for themselves. 



A two-year agricultural course was opened at the Victoria (B. C.) high 

 school last fall with 30 boys and girls in attendance. It has been substituted 

 for one or both of the two foreign languages previously required, except that 

 students wishing to qualify for first-class teachei-s' certificates or for entrance 

 to the university must include with agriculture the study of one foreign lan- 

 guage. All of the usual branches of agriculture are covered, and with some 

 slight variation in the second year, when home economics for girls and cer- 

 tain special topics in agriculture for boys are emphasized, are the same for 

 boys and girls. 



Farm Schools in the Philippines. — Beginning with the present school year, 

 1917-18, all schools where a course in farming is given are to be in session 

 throughout the year. This is not entirely a new venture, as for several years 

 all settlement farm schools and most agricultural schools have been in con- 

 tinuous session, and notwithstanding the younger pupils enrolled in them these 

 schools have maintained the best farms. 



The calendar year has been divided int? 42 weeks of classroom work, 4 weeks 

 of special field practice, 4 weeks of vacation, and 1 week each ^or examinations 

 and an annual cleaning up. Each pupil enrolled will be given a vacation of 4 

 weeks at the time in the year that the farm activities can test spare his 

 services. All teachers assigned to farm schools are required to render service 

 throughout the school year, except that short vacations may be given when their 

 services can be spared. 



It is believed that students should be detailed to definite projects and thereby 

 become factors in a productive enterprise. Each pupil is expected to do field 

 work for not less than 4 consecutive periods (160 minutes) each day for 5 days 

 a week, and daily field work up to 3.-5 hours may be required at the option of 

 the principal. Each pupil is required to perform at least 3 hours of field work 

 on every other Saturday forenoon. 



The same school year and calendar hold for the domestic science classes in 

 farm schools. For the required four weeks of all-day work the principals may 

 select one or more of the following activities for the girls: Canning and cook- 

 ing, the preparation and serving of midday meals to the boys on all-day work 

 detail, commercial lace or embroidery making, or sewing on their own clothes 

 or clothing for members of their families. The services of the girls ape also 

 employed during the harvest periods in assisting with certain kinds of field 

 work. 



Agricultural Instruction for Orphans of Farmers Killed in the War in 

 Italy. — Francesco Borgogiia has instituted in the Home for the Poor in Vercelli, 

 12 places for orphans of farmers who have fallen in battle. This provision will 

 give them an opportunity to complete the elementary course and the secondary 

 courses in the professional school of agriculture in the Borgogua Royal Profes- 

 sional School, leading to the diploma of special field agent in rice culture. 



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