Tnstruction to Farrner/^ and Farmers-' Sov.s. 399 



Mr. Meekingj who dealt with the same subjects as Mr. Cock, at 

 Maffra, Shepparton, Geelong, and Kyneton, writes — " Generally 

 speaking;, the questions were fairly well answered ; the chief failures 

 being in those relating to the diseases of fruit. Those referring to 

 cereals, root crops, and grasses were, on the whole, well answered." 



The subjects of theoretical and agricultural chemistry were dealt 

 with by Mr. Robertson, at Boort and Malfra ; Mr. Osborn, at 

 Warrnambool and Geelong ; Mr. Garnsworthy, at Shepparton, and 

 Mr. Trend, at Kyneton. 



Speaking of those centres where he lectured, Mr. Robertson^ 

 says — " The answers received were, on the whole, of a high standard- 

 The questions on theoretical chemistry were, almost without excep- 

 tion, better answered than those on agricultural chemistry." 



Mr. Osborn, writing of the papers from Warrnambool and 

 Geelong, says — '' The papers as a rule, were of a high order — the 

 students seem to have realised the important bearing that chemistry 

 lias on agriculture, and have made a corresponding effort to under- 

 stand the subject." 



Mr. Garnsworthy, writing of the Shepparton class, says — ''The 

 lectures were followed with close attention by the students, particularly 

 those dealing with the analysis of soils and manures, and advanced 

 agricultural chemistry." 



Mr. Trend, speaking of the Kyneton class, says — " The students 

 took a great interest in the class, and expressed themselves as having 

 greatly profited by the information given. The answers to the 

 questions on chemistry were on the whole well answered, showing that 

 subject had been closely followed." 



The Educational Valuk of the Classes. 



It seems abundantly proved, that the object with which the classes 

 were instituted, viz., to afford information and to give advice on all 

 matters relating to agriculture, has been more than fulfilled. The 

 resolutions that were moved by the students themselves, at the 

 termination of the class in each centre, were sufficient guarantee that 

 the information had fallen on receptive ears. The public testimony 

 of the worth of the instruction, cannot fail but to l)e most gratifying 

 to the instigator of the movement in Victoria. 



The method of imparting information by means of short, popular 

 lectures, couched in such language as to be readily understood, seems 

 to have been accepted as being the simplest way of instructing 

 students. At the conclusion of a lecture, questions are invited, and 

 any particular ])oint re-explained. By this means, both students and 

 lecturers are brought into closer contact with one another to their 

 mutual advantage. 



The examination papers throughout are the reflex of the interest 

 shown by the students, and the careful following of the different 

 subjects, has been commented on by every lecturer. 



