SECRETARY'S REPORT. 173 



branch of farming, and an instructor in sheep breeding, another 

 in agricultural technology, and another in the culture and 

 management of fruit-trees, were appointed, from time to time, as 

 the exigencies required. 



Pupils in the higher or agricultural institute paid, if natives 

 of Wiirtemberg, -^164 for tuition, lodging and board, or if from 

 abroad, $205 ; and all ate at a general table. But in 1825 it 

 was thought more convenient to separate the cost of board from 

 the other charges, and the price of tuition and room was fixed 

 at $4:1 for natives and 8123 for strangers. All were required 

 to room in the building till 1842, since which time the pupils 

 have had the liberty to board out of the institiite if they 

 choose. 



It will be seen that the agricultural institute is founded upon 

 a large and liberal basis, and everything that strikes the eye 

 would lead one to think that it is the chief and most important 

 object ; yet, important as it is, it is probable that the practical 

 results of the School of Practical Farming, the AckerbauschuUy 

 are quite as valuable as those of the institute, whicli makes 

 greater- pretensions and enjoys greater facilities for insti'uction 

 in the higher sciences. 



This school of Practical Farming was begun at the close of 

 1818, with ten stout boys of 14 years of age from the orphans 

 in Stuttgart and other cities. These boys had but one instruc- 

 tor, who had to keep them at work and train them to tlie 

 greatest possible activity, order, and good conduct. They 

 received to some extent the theoretical instruction of the 

 students in the higher institute, but in 1824 they began to have 

 more or less theoretical instruction adapted to the capacity of 

 each, and to their future designs. 



This practical school was modified in 1829, when tlie num- 

 ber was extended to 25, and instead of taking orphans as 

 heretofore, the sons of peasants especially, were to be admitted, 

 between the ages of 16 and 18, who, as they were already 

 familiar with the ordinary routine of farm work, could be 

 immediately useful on the farm and taught the improved 

 processes of agriculture in a shorter time. 



They are required to spend three years at Hohenheim, and 

 must be natives of Wiirtemberg. Their instruction in the 

 theory of agriculture is limited to two hours a day. 



