AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 197 



Comments on. European agricultural institutions, A. C. Trtje (Proc. Assoc^ 

 Amer, Agr. Cols, and Expt. Stas., 27 {1913), pp. 106-111). — The author calls 

 attention to the fact that in recent years the higher agricultural institutions 

 in Europe have been made more strictly and fundamentally institutions of 

 real university grade, through the improvement of their equipment and facili- 

 ties, an increase in the size of farms, the assembling of collections of fai'm 

 machinery, enlarging the scope and extent of the curriculum with a more 

 definite application to practical agriculture, and increasing the faculty. There 

 is not in Europe entire unanimity as to the desirability of making the agricul- 

 tural colleges departments of the universities. 



As regards secondary agricultural schools a number of countries have a 

 much more complete system than we have as yet in this country and the tend- 

 ency is to increase their number and make them more efficient. They are still, 

 however, largely for the peasant classes. In a general way these schools may 

 be divided iuto two classes, (1) those in which great stress is laid on theo- 

 retical instruction, and (2) those in which the emphasis is laid on practical 

 instruction. With reference to Denmark, " what they have done is well 

 adapted to their conditions and to a small country where the agricultural 

 industries are of a limited variety; but it would not do at all in the United 

 States, except perhaps as one phase of the work where short courses of study 

 are desired in the secondary schools." 



The author finds that one of the developments along the line of elementary 

 instruction in agriculture, to which much attention is now being given in 

 European countries, is the continuation classes which are held on Saturdays 

 or in the eveniugs. Attendance on these can to some extent be made compulsory 

 by village authorities in Germany. 



A brief account is also given of the recent developments with reference to 

 a system of agricultural education in England. 



School lessons on corn, C. H. Lane (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 617 

 {1914), pp. 15, figs. 5).— This supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 409 (E. S. R., 24, 

 p. 92), and consists of 12 lessons arranged topically with practical exercises 

 and references. A suggestive program for observing Corn Day in the school 

 is also given. 



Farm demonstration work, boys' corn club work, and girls' canning club 

 work, F. MuTCHLEB (Bien. Rpt. Bur. Agr., Lahor, and Statis. Ky., 20 (,1912-13), 

 pp. 74-78, pis. 2). — ^A brief statement by the state agent as to the history and 

 development, together with data on results and progress, of the Farmers' Coop- 

 erative Demonstration Work and boys' and girls' club work in agriculture, is 

 given. 



Plan of organization and administration of home economics clubs and 

 women's auxiliary clubs of county fanners' institutes, iSIrs. C. L. Maktin 

 (Ky. Dept. Agr., Labor and Statis. Bui. 2, pp. 8). — This bulletin suggests how 

 Kentucky women may organize themselves into clubs and become a part of the 

 county farmers' institute. 



Home makers' clubs of Missouri (Missouri Bd, Agr. Mo. Bui., 12 (1914) ^ 

 No. 1, pp. 46, figs. 7). — Suggested programs for meetings are given, together 

 with other similar data and a bibliography of literature bearing on home topics 

 suitable for club study. 



