608 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



In addition to these two kinds of schools, Finland has two inter- 

 mediate schools, with courses of instruction corresponding to some 

 extent to the German Mittel-schule. There are, however, a number of 

 schools in the Scandinavian countries, classed as elementary, which 

 give equally as advanced courses as these two Finnish middle schools. 



The elementary agricultural schools of the different countries will be 

 considered first. 



ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURAL -SCHOOLS. 



Since the organization and the plan of instruction of these schools 

 do not differ greatly in the four countries under consideration, the dif- 

 ferences found being of minor importance, the more prominent features 

 of the system as seen in operation in one country, e. g., Norway, will 

 be given, with briefer reference to the schools of the other countries, 

 pointing out any characteristics worthy of special notice. 



Elementary agricultural schools in Norway. — The instruction given in 

 the elementary agricultural schools of Norway is built upon common 

 school education, the aim being " to impart fundamental knowledge in 

 agricultural branches to future farmers." To be admitted as a pupil 

 the candidate must be 18 years of age, must produce a doctor's certifi- 

 cate that he is strong, without bodily defects, and free from contagious 

 disease, and a certificate of character from his pastor. He must be 

 able to write fairly correctly from dictation, be efficient in plain arith- 

 metic, and have a fair knowledge of geography and the history of 

 their country. At least one year's practice in ordinary farm work is 

 required, and an application, written by the candidate himself, is to be 

 sent to the director of the school. The candidates must finally pass an 

 extrance examination in composition, arithmetic, geography, and his- 

 tory before being admitted as pupils. Preference is given to applicants 

 living in the district where the school is located (which partly supports 

 the school) and to eldest sons owning allodial rights, who therefore may 

 be counted on settling as farmers in the district. 



The number of students who can be accommodated in one of these 

 elementary agricultural schools varies from 12 to nearly 100, the aver- 

 age number being about 27. The total registration of the schools 

 during 1895-'9G was over 450. As the number of applicants always 

 greatly exceeds the number that can be accommodated, only those well 

 qualified for the work of the school and who intend to become farmers 

 in the district in which the school is located, are as a rule likely to be 

 admitted. 



The schools are located in the country on farms belonging to the 

 respective districts (counties) and operated at their expense. In a few 

 cases the director or principal has no salary except the proceeds from 

 the farm sales, and in such cases he is allowed to sell only animal 

 products — no grain, hay, or straw. The farms vary in size from 100 to 

 200 acres or more. They are generally w T ell equipped with buildings, 

 farm machinery, library, instructional apparatus, improved stock, etc. 



