310 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



botanical, agronomical, and bacteriological laboratories are being fitted up. The 

 station is reported to be receiving the cordial supporl of the< luban ( rovernment and 

 the people. 



Normal Farmers' Institute in Pennsylvania. — A normal institute for fanners' insti- 

 tute workers, lecturers, and local managers was held at Bellefonte and State Col- 

 lege, October 11-15, under the auspices of the State department of agriculture. 

 There were about 135 in attendance. Lectures were delivered by college and 

 station men on such subjects as soil improvement, animal nutrition, principles of 

 plant breeding, principles of animal breeding, fruit culture, market gardening, breed- 

 ing in relation to disease, potato culture, and the like; and a number of speakers 

 from outside the State were present. Among the papers presented was one by John 

 Hamilton, of this Office. One of the ways suggested by Professor Hamilton for 

 increasing the supply of efficient institute lecturers, directors, and managers was by 

 the establishment of interstate normal farmers' institutes. For this purpose a union 

 of the States into groups of 6 to 8 each was suggested, the school to be held each 

 year at different institutions within the group. The teaching force could be made 

 up of specialists contributed by each institution, and the course of lectures be 

 extended to cover a period of 4 to 8 weeks each s-ssion. A complete course of study 

 would cover a period of at least 2 years, and certificates might be given to those who 

 passed the examination in any of the courses offered. Classes could be organized on 

 special subjects with specialists to teach them, and by the combination of the several 

 States the increased attendance thus assured would be sufficient to practically pay 

 for the expenses of the teaching force. It was believed that "such a set of schools 

 properly equipped will do as much to assist farming people as any other single 

 institution in existence, important as many of them are. . . . The organizing of 

 interstate normal schools of agriculture for institute w< ukers is the next great advance 

 that the institute movement is destined to secure. When this is had, then the great 

 need of the institute movement will be supplied — the need for means of equipping 

 a large number of capable and enthusiastic men and women who will carry the news 

 of a better agriculture to farming people." The proceedings of the meeting will lie 

 published. 



Agricultural Instruction for Farmers in Victoria. — In a recent survey of the work and 

 progress of the Victoria Department of Agriculture, the director for agriculture states 

 that in order to better instruct farmers on agricultural matters, classes of instruction 

 for farmers and farmers' sons, extending over several weeks, have been established 

 in seven different centers. The results of two years' work along this line have been 

 very satisfactory, and it is stated that this method of instruction has come to stay in 

 Victoria and will extend over the whole of Australia. The winter season appears to 

 be the only time when farmers can devote the daytime to lectures and study. In 

 order to meet the demands for all classes during the winter months it has been found 

 desirable to maintain a teaching staff for the whole year, since it is difficult to pick 

 up suitable teachers just for the 3 or 4 months of the winter season. A plan has 

 therefore been matured for keeping the force which it is proposed to thus engage in 

 active service during the whole year. It is the purpose of the director to have even- 

 ing classes of 2 weeks' duration held at farmhouses, where classes of from 10 to 12 

 may be organized. These classes will be held all the year around except in the win- 

 ter time, when the officers will lie engaged at the farmers' day classes, according to 

 the present plan of operation. The proposed plan is outlined as follows: "The 

 lectures would be held in the evening, say one and a half hours' lecture and a half 

 hour devoted to asking and answering questions. Four lecturers would be required, 

 one of whom would arrive on a Monday and stay 3 days lecturing and discussing 

 such subjects as manuring suitable to the district, tillage, rotation of crops, and 

 kindred subjects. On the fourth day he would leave for another center, say 20 

 miles away, and would be replaced by an officer competent to lecture on farm stock, 



