lo Feb., 1909.] 



Agricultural Education. 



97 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



REPORT ON CLASSES HELD DURING 1908. 



H. y. Haivkins. Sufcriniending Oiflcer. 



The short courses of instruction to farmers and others held throughout 

 the State during the past year have again met with undeniable success. 

 The one great difficulty experienced was how to provide sufficient instructors 

 to meet the demand for lecture and demonstration work — and this is a 

 problem that must sooner or later be solved. 



LECTURERS AND STUDENTS, MINYIP. 



Applications were received from no less than forty-two societies. 

 Classes had previously been held in several of the centres. Thus there 

 was the difficulty of selecting! centres that had not hitherto participated 

 in the ten days' course. Classes were established at the following 

 places: — Alexandra, Ararat, Ballarat, Benalla, Bendigo, Bunyip, Cam- 

 perdown, Cobram, Dandenong, Echuca, Elmore, Euroa, Geelong, Hamil- 

 ton, Mildura, Minyip, Myrtleford, Redesdale, Rupanyup, Stratford, Tal- 

 langatta, Trafalgar, Warrnambool, Woodend, Whittlesea, Wycheproof, 

 and Yea. 



In most districts it was found desirable to hold the classes in the 

 evening, and it is pleasing to note that a more regular attendance resulted 

 therefrom. Dr. Cherry has decided that for the present year the whole 

 of the lecture work when practicable shall be given in the evening, thus 

 affording the lecture staff better opportunit}- to visit neighbouring farms, 

 to advise, and give practical demonstrations each day. It is hoped that the 

 secretaries of the local Agricultural and Pastoral Associations will bear 

 this in mind and make arrangements with the organizer for the successful 

 carrying out of the scheme. Much depends on the energv and en- 

 thusiasm of the local secretary in keeping the farmers well advised by 

 means of advertising in the local press, and by circularizing the district. 



The number of students who attended was 1,128, and the actual at- 

 tendances, inclusive of visitors, were 16,667, representing an increase on 

 53. D 



