11 JiNE, 1917.] ArjricuUural Teaching at the University. 363 



Such subjects are dairying, plant patliology, entomology, fanning of 

 irrigated lands, &c. The Committee feels that the adjustments that 

 this arrangement might require of the Agricultural Department would 

 be recoui)od by the supply it would afford of well-trained junior officers 

 to recruit the Department. 



It may be recalled that successful professional men accept University 

 lectureships in medical and other subjects. 



II. 



Whether a Single Degree Course in Agriculture should be 

 continued or whether it should be replaced by Specialized 

 Science Courses. 



The present course aims at a degree which connotes a knowledge, up 

 to University standard, of the foundation sciences underlying agricul- 

 ture, and of the apjilication of the.se to agriculture to the extent of insur- 

 ing proficiency in the various forms and branches of the art. 



From the evidence of graduates it would appear that, to some extent 

 and in certain directions, this aim has not been attained. Your Com- 

 mittee also, from its investigation of the work done, finds itself in a 

 position to support the contention that the course has not been so apt 

 and thorough as was necessaiy to achieve the best results. Indeed, it is 

 somewhat surprising that such a comparatively satisfactory position 

 as detailed earlier in this report should have resulted when the adverse 

 conditions under which the course has been carried on are considered. 



Within the University, the drawbacks have all been such as are 

 attributable to lack of means. The Government grant of £1,000 per 

 annum was absorbed by the salary and allowances to the professor. 

 From the general University funds, provision was made for the teaching 

 of agricultural chemistry and for other minor teaching. Beyond these, 

 the course was not supported financially. The majority of subjects for 

 the examinations had to be taken in classes designed for other courses — 

 medicine, science, veterinary, engineering, &c. Botany, geology, 

 physics, physiology, and the like science subjects were taught, but 

 without specialization in an agricultural direction. TTeither was it 

 possible to provide instruction of the special character necessary in such 

 subjects as dairying, animal husbandry, viticulture, horticulture, cereal 

 culture, veterinary practice and entomology. Furthermore, there was 

 no provision of a laboratory or class room, apparatus, or equipment 

 for the teaching of agriculture. 



For these reasons, which are attributable almost solely to want of 

 financial means, the course has lacked the special character and 

 thoroughness necessary to the full realization of its aim. 



The very gratifying success of those graduates who have been em- 

 ployed by the Department of Agriculture in the attainment of so high a 

 degree of proficiency as has been testified to by the Director of Agricul- 

 ture and the Agricultural Superintendent is a tribute to their capacity 

 and assiduity under adverse circumstances, rather than to the provision 

 made for their proper training by the State. 



Under the.se circumstances, your Committee cannot recommend the 

 continuance of the present eour.se with the present lack of means for its 

 proper and genuine accomplishment. But it does recommend that the 



