Co-ordination of the Department's Work. 213 



111 rived at on the main issues. Some of the chief points discussed 

 are set out hereunder; they indicate the guiding- principles which 

 will be followed in directing the future development of the Depart- 

 ment. 



Co-ordination of Research. — The great vitalizing factor in the 

 Department is the nature and scope of its research work. From it 

 emanate the life and growth of its activities. At present research is 

 carried out both by the divisions and the schools. It is recognized 

 that the value of the teacher is intimately bound up with research, 

 enabling him to have at his command a knowledge of the latest 

 developments in the science he has to teach. The lecturers at the 

 schools deal, of course, with many different sciences. In most cases 

 also there are divisions, each of which deals with a specific science, 

 and at the head of which are the country's leading experts in their 

 respective subjects. As with the schools, so with the divisions; each 

 is directly engaged in research work. It is evident, therefore, that 

 the need for the control and guidance of research work in every 

 branch, with definite objects in view, is essential. The schools, with 

 their own peculiar local problems, are carrying out certain classes of 

 research work, while in some cases the same or an allied 

 class of research is being conducted directly by the division 

 concerned. A very useful discussion arose on this subject, in the 

 course of which the various classes of research now in operation, and 

 their objects, were described by the heads of divisions and the prin- 

 cipals of the schools. As an outcome the definite understanding was 

 arrived at that the control and guidance of research work would be 

 vested in the chiefs of the divisions, each of whom is recognized as 

 the chief authority on the science concerned, and that the services of 

 the technical officers at the schools would be utilized in their respec- 

 tive spheres, to the greatest extent possible, to assist the heads of 

 divisions. Thus, with the greatest benefit to the teacher stationed 

 at the schools, research work in his science will be conducted by him- 

 self, but the work of himself and other teachers in the same service 

 will be inspired and co-ordinated by the chief of the division. At 

 the same time, the school staff will have wide freedom in carrying 

 out, and every opportunity for initiating research, so that their 

 individuality may have full scope. For disciplinary purposes the 

 school staff will be under the direct control of the principal. 



Expervment Stations and Laboratories. — By " research " is meant 

 seeking after principles and facts. Allied to research work are the 

 various experiments carried out at the experiment stations. These 

 experiments are designed to improve general farni practice. The , 

 following are the present stations: — 



Agricultural Education. — School of Agriculture and Experi- 

 ment Station at (1) Elsenburg, Mulders Vlei, Cape; (2) Groot- 

 fontein, Middelburg, Cape; (3) Potchefstroom, Transvaal; (4) 

 Glen, Orange Free State; and (5) Cedara, Natal, with sub-station 

 at Winkle Spruit, Natal. 



Tobacco and Cotton Division.. — Experiment Station at (1) 

 Rustenburg, Transvaal ; (2) Elsenburg, Mulders Ylei, Cape ; and 

 (3) Piet Hetief, Transvaal. 



Botany Division.- — Groenkloof Experiment Station, near 

 Pretoria. 



