ON AGRICULTURE TO IRELAND 



17 



more than that. They are educational centres, and some day, 

 when the Albert Institute, Glasnevin, instead of throwing 

 open its doors to all Ireland, will confine itself to Leinster, these 

 agricultural stations may become Colleges of a similar kind for 

 the three provinces in which they are situated. Meantime, each 

 station takes a number of young men as apprentices. The appli- 

 cants are supposed to belong to the province in which the station 

 is situated. They must not be less than 17 years of age, and each 

 must give an undertaking that it is his intention to become a 

 farmer in Ireland. His application will be all the more favourably 

 considered if he produces a certificate that he has attended a 



% tJ i.*»«f i ; 



SUPERINTBNDENT, MATRON, TEACHER, AND PUPILS OF DARRARA 

 FARM SCHOOL, COUNTY CORK 



course of lectures by an itinerant agricultural instructor. He 

 must pass an examination in English and arithmetic. If he is 

 successful, he will enter the station in October and remain a pupil 

 till the following September, paying in fees according to the valua- 

 tion of his father's holding. Where the aggregate valuation does 

 not exceed £20, the fee for the session, which includes board, 

 lodging, and education, is £3. Where the aggregate valuation 

 exceeds £20, but does not exceed £30, it is £5. Where the 

 aggregate valuation is over £30 but under £75, it is £10. Where 

 it exceeds £75 it is £15. It is evident that the fees are altogether 

 inadequate to provide for the pupils, and the only reason for the 

 fees at all must be that the Department is desirous of making the 

 Irish farmers, to some small extent, contribute towards the keep 

 and education of their own children. 



