426 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



of the farm of every description. The duties in this case em 

 brace not merely the observation of how these things are done, 

 but the actual doing of them, until an expertness is acquired. 



Leaving the practical department, we come now to the course 

 of studies to be pursued; 



For admission into the institution some previous education is 

 demanded, and the candidate is subjected to an examination 

 before the principal and one of the professors. 



First, he is required to present an essay upon some subject 

 assigned to him, that his knowledge of the French language and 

 grammar may be ascertained. 



It is necessary, next, that he should be well grounded in the 

 four great rules of arithmetic ; in fractions, vulgar and decimal ; 

 in the extraction of the roots ; in the rules of proportion and 

 progression ; and in the system of measures adopted in France. 



In geometry, he must be well acquainted with the general 

 principles of straight lines and circles, and their various com 

 binations and with the general measurement of plane surfaces. 



In natural philosophy, he must understand the general proper 

 ties of bodies, and be acquainted with the uses of the barometer 

 and thermometer. 



Candidates for admission must bring with them certificates of 

 good character and manners, and must be at least eighteen years 

 old. They are rigidly held to an attendance upon all the courses 

 of instruction at the institution, and have leave of absence only 

 on the application of their parents or guardians. 



The studies of the first year are begun with a course of math 

 ematics. Geometry and trigonometry are made a particular 

 subject of attention ; embracing the study of straight lines, and 

 circular or curved lines, on the same plan ; the admeasurement 

 of surfaces ; the use of the compass ; the recording of measure 

 ments ; the delineation of measurements : the surveying of open 

 fields, of woods, of marshes, of ponds or lakes: comparison of 

 ancient land measures with those in present use ; the use of the 

 square, the chain, and the compass ; the elevation of plans ; the 

 construction of scales, and the ordinary divisions of landed 

 properties. 



The study of various plans in any form ; solid measure ; conic 

 sections, their principal properties, and their practical application ; 

 the theory and practice of levelling ; the method of projections 



