281 
of manufacture. Great quantities of bark are used, and when once de- 
prived of their astringent principles are of no further use in the manu- 
facture of leather. It is called tan-bark, avery spongy and fibrous material 
absorbing a large amount of water. This property makes it especially 
fit for litter of farm-stock, especially in localities where other material is 
scarce and dear. The water absorbed in the vat exhales more or less 
rapidly in proportion to the dryness of the weather, the season of the 
year, and the period of exposure. Its matter fully dried contains 94.9 
per cent. of organic and 5.1 per cent. of mineral matter, the latter in 
about the following proportions to the whole, viz: Potash, 0.5 per cent.; 
soda, 0.2; lime, 3.7; magnesia, 0.2; phosphoric acid, 0.3; sulphuric 
acid, 0.1; silica, 0.1. When mixed with wheat or oat straw it will ab- 
sorb more than double its weight of water. It is light, of easy trans- 
port, and cheap. The straw tends to correct its acidity, which may be 
further neutralized with lime or ashes; the last mixture greatly facili- 
tates its decomposition. It is most useful when mingled with the ani- 
mal refuse of tanning. This combination has been found excellent in 
horticulture, as it checks evaporation and prevents the desiccation of 
the soil. The use of this material indicates the transfer of a vast mass 
of what was generally considered worthless matter, to the class of excel- 
lent fertilizers. 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN GERMANY.—The reported present: 
status of agricultural education in Germany, as fostered and controlled by 
the imperial government, embraces the following facts and features. The 
system includes agricultural common schools, middle schools, and acad- 
emies ; and from these, an agricultural course in the universities. The 
course of instruction in the common schools embraces theoretical and 
practical lessons in agriculture ; veterinary lessons and demonstrations ; 
surveying, and something more of scientific instruction than is imparted 
in other elementary schools. The middle schools teach arithmetic, 
history, and geography ; the English, French, and German languages , 
chemistry, physiology, botany, and zoology; agricultural manage- 
ment in general, with lectures on veterinary treatment, drawing, build- 
ing, and agricultural laws. These two classes of agricultural schools 
are especially designed to impart the best practical edueation for their 
vocation, to those who, without higher advantages, are to become small 
farmers or overseers of small farms. Accordingly, in connection with 
their studies and under direction of qualified teachers, they are required 
to practice all kinds of farm-work, in order that they may acquire praec- 
tical judgment and skill for doing the same themselves, or directing 
laborers under them to do it, in the most appoved and profitable way. 
There are scattered through the empire something over 150 of these 
two classes of schools, though some of tbem are limited in the course 
of instruction to specialties, as vine and fruit culture, horticulture, 
bee-keeping, &c. The pupils receive board and lodging in the estab- 
lishment ; each pupil is required to pay only $55a year, the state paying 
the remainder. 
There are in the empire six agricultural academies ; located at Eldena, 
Proskau, Popplesdorf, Munich, Tharand, and Hohenhein. Connected 
with these academies are lands on which the students are given 
demonstrations and training in experimental processes, in addition to 
instruction in all sciences related to agriculture. 
In the universities all instruction to agricultural students is theoret- 
ical, the prevalent idea in late years being that itis better for such 
students, after gaining a good preparatory education, to spend a few 
years in practical farming previous to theoretical instruction in the 
