506 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. — Dec, 1922. 



Report No. I. 

 AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



Under-Secretary for Agricvlfiire (Ediicdfion) 

 E. J. Macmillan, B.S.A. 



1. General. — Considerable progress Mas made in educational 

 work during the year. The support obtained for the two years' course 

 was well maintained ; there was an increased demand for training by 

 men who desired to fit themselves for settlement on the land at once. 

 The attendance at the short vacation courses was larger than in the 

 previous year. Special courses also were well attended. 



Many new and important experiments were undertaken. While 

 certain inquiries were concluded, many more were instituted and the 

 volume of work tends to increase. There is a danger that with the 

 multiplication of requests by the farming community for advice and 

 assistance throughout the country, investigational work may fall 

 behind. This would prove a fatal error, for instruction, whether in 

 the classroom or on the veld, must be based on researcdi. 



The demands of the extension service have increased and will 

 continue to grow. Officers whose duties lie at the institution may be 

 able to give special assistance outside from time to time, but in the 

 main, itinerant instruction must be carried out by those who can 

 devote their whole time to the work; in other words, a special 

 itinerant staff at each school will be necessary. 



Important improvements were made at Elsenburg in providing 

 electric light and a larger water supply. A complete water-borne 

 sewage system is also under construction there. Apart from these 

 works, little development was possible, and buildings and plant are 

 urgently needed at several schools. The Grootfontein Instituticn is 

 still housed in the old cantonment buildings of wood and iron built 

 twenty years ago. Accommodation for staff is an urgent need at all 

 schools. Many officers are now compelled to reside several miles from 

 their work ; best service is not obtainable under such conditions. 



No progress was made in the establishment of a school for women 

 which was proposed to be provided at Mariendahl, a portion of 

 Elsenburg, funds not being available. Women are now admitted to 

 short vacation courses only. 



2. Staff. — The number of staff was the same as in tlie previous 

 year as shown in the following statement: — 



Staff Employed at 30th June, 1922. 



