244 president's address — section k. 



SECTION K. 



AGRICULTURE, 



ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT: 

 Professor Arthur J. Perkins, 



Director of Agriculture in South Australia. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA 



I should deem myself wanting in proper feeling if I did not 

 take the first opportunity to express my high appreciation of the 

 honour done me in nominating me to the position of President of 

 this section of the Australasian Association for the Advancement 

 of Science. I have given a life-time to the practice of agriculture 

 and tO' a study, of some of its problems, and it is gratifying to 

 find t?iat my efforts have been thought worthy of this recognition. 

 On my part, I must hope that the choice of my subject-matter, 

 and ni}'^ way of handling it, may not lead to avoidable 

 disappointment. 



From the outset, and perhaps to my shame, I shall confess to 

 insufficient acquaintance with the general prceedixre of the Asso- 

 ciation, and particularly as to the limitations which may be 

 supposed to compass the subject-matter of presidential addresses. 

 On taking thought, however, it has seemed to me that in this 

 matter the only reasonably limiting factor should be adequate 

 personal knowledge of the subject brought up for discussion ;- and 

 whether legitimately or not, I have endeavoixred to act on this 

 view. For twenty-two years I was directly engaged in the teach- 

 ing of agricultural subjects; for ten years I was Principal of 

 an Agricultural College, and for the 'past six years ray daily 

 avocations have kept me in close touch with all that concerns 

 agricultural education and training. In the circumstances, I have 

 felt that if not qualified to speak on agricultural education, then 

 it would be extremely difficult to name another subject within 

 closer range of ray capacity. 



