PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION K, 681 



He is also more likely to make sacrifices to his ambition, and 

 -encourage his children to attend the Agricultural High School, 

 the Agricultural College, or the University. 



E. The Contrast between American and Australian 



Conditions. 



In Australia, there is no dead season as in the snow-bound 

 parts of America. Noticing some statistics relative to the 

 numerical attendance of students in the various Agricultural Col- 

 leges of the United States, the preponderance is greatly in favour 

 of the colleges situated in the colder States over those where the 

 climate is more genial. 



In Australia, the population is comparatively small, and the 

 farming community forms a relatively small percentage of it. Good 

 agricultural labour is dear, hence the farmer needs the services of 

 his sons. When his sons are old enough, they take up land for 

 themselves, whilst it is comparatively cheap, either for general 

 farming or for irrigation or horticultural pursuits. In a few- more 

 decades, when the agricultural conditions are in more settled chan- 

 nels, the farmers' sons will be more in evidence at the Universities 

 and Agricultural Colleges. 



The greater number of the agricultural students are from the 

 cities and towns. Their fathers are usually in business, or are 

 professional men, a number of whom possess land on which they 

 wish to settle their sons. 



Owing to the seasons being very distinct in the colder countries, 

 such as Canada, and parts of the United States, the courses of 

 study are arranged to meet these conditions. Students not having 

 farming experience are expected to work on farms during the long 

 vacations, and sometimes they put in a whole year at practical 

 work before completing their course. This is done not only to gam 

 experience, but also to help to pay for their course of studies. 

 While the work done at most of the American colleges is more asso- 

 ciated with the sciences, the humanities are not neglected. The 

 purpose is to turn out men with practical and cultivated minds 

 who are to investigate the many agricultural problems that need 

 elucidating, also to act as directors of experimental stations, and 

 as professors and instructors. 



This is also the purpose of the Universities and agricultural 

 colleges of the Commonwealth, but the humanities are very little 

 touched on. 



The Australian agricultural corieges have also another important 

 mission. That is to turn out men skilled in the practical side of 

 the work, as at present there is a greater need for settling men on 

 the land, and for men who can manage farms. 



