SJ22 JOTjRifAL OP TfiE DbpaRTMbNT OE' AGftlCtJti'fUftE. 



trained locally, and with all the advantages which only local associa- 

 tion can give. But the country's population is small and its resources 

 limited, and there is danger that its needs in this direction may be 

 over-supplied, while lack of funds may detrimentally affect the high 

 standard and thoroughness of instruction which will be expected 

 from a University conferring a degree of Bachelor of Science (Agri- 

 culture). The Department is experiencing great difficulty in supplying 

 its scientific staff, and the difficulty is increased by the advent of 

 the faculties, which also require men of a similar standard. In how 

 far these faculties will overlap the work of the schools is not yet 

 apparent ; the matter is under consideration at present. But various 

 projects have been put forward by the faculties involving the services 

 of officers of the Department, and the Rhodes University College has 

 also submitted a scheme. Further comment need not be made at 

 present, pending the result of further inquiry, but one thing emerges 

 from the discussion which took place at the conference, namely, the 

 fact that the standard of the technical staff of this Department is 

 such that the Universities recognize the ability of the staff to give 

 instruction to University students qualifying for a Bachelor of Science 

 degree. This is a compliment which is appreciated and should be 

 a happy augury to the public, in that the teaching of the coming 

 farmers of South Africa is in the hands of such capable instructors. 

 Outstanding Features. — The conference was composed of officers 

 of long standing and experience, and their views and aspirations bear 

 a great deal of weight in the future development of the Department. 

 Arising out of the discussion on the several matters before the con- 

 ference, the following features were outstanding: — 



(1) The present inadequacy of staff and equipment, and the 

 pressing need for expansion in this direction in view of 

 the forward movement of agriculture and the importance 

 of solving many problems so as to make farming in South 

 Africa increasingly popular and remunerative. 



(2) The Department's future development will tend to confine 



the activities of the divisions to the broad issues of policy 

 and to the administration of laws, combined witJi 

 specialized scientific research bearing on matters of general 

 or national importance. Concurrently the schools will 

 broaden out and will be the centres for teaching, research, 

 and experiment; from them will radiate the necessary sub- 

 stations and under their control most of the extension work 

 will be carried out. It is laid down as a principle that the 

 teacher at the school, in order to be of most value to the 

 co-untry, must combine research with his teaching. 



(3) The divisions and the schools are inseparable and inter- 

 dependent. 



Index of " Journal." 



With this number the index to Volume I of the Journal is being 

 issued. This index embraces the nine months, April to December, 

 1920, but in future it is proposed to issue an index for the six months 

 ended June and December in each venr. 



