EDUCATION. 127 



£5. And there seems to be a lively competition. The 

 method has many advantages. In the present case it 

 familiarises the growing generation with the proper qualities 

 of the varieties of grain commonly produced and infuses 

 into them a keen interest in the subject, which is bound 

 to be of profit to them in their subsequent agricultural 

 career. Needless to say, it also helps to improve grain 

 growing in the country, even though the quahties so pro- 

 duced should not equal the best outturn of Cambridge and 

 Pusa. The competition being open to children of both 

 sexes from ten to eighteen, there is reason to suppose that, 

 before they have done with the thing, they will have gathered 

 a good idea of what good cereals ought to be. 



The American practice in respect of these matters is 

 very much better than that which some of our own benevo- 

 lent capitahsts have adopted, in which there is too much 

 patronage and " benefaction." That makes the institution 

 miss half its aim. The American banker advances money, 

 in order to assist the young experimenters. But he 

 claims that money back, putting each of his proteges upon 

 his or her own personal responsibility. And, large as has 

 been, comparatively speaking, the cash lent out, the bankers 

 maintain that they have got all their lendings back. That 

 is the only way in which such an institution can be made 

 to do good. 



Instruction, as it happens, even of a less specific kind, 

 is necessary not for the up-growing generation only. Agri- 

 culture is an ever advancing calling, for the perfecting of 

 which practice, science, mechanics, engineering and sundry 

 other ancillary occupations every year provide new material 

 for instruction. Accordingly in every civilised country 

 provision has had to be, and is, made for instruction among 

 adults. In our country, with a large number of admittedly 

 backward medium and small farmers, there appears to be 

 special need for this. Nor has it been altogether neglected. 

 But it cannot be said that anything like full justice has 

 been done to the existing want. 



Accordingly it may be well to look round and see how 

 these things are managed elsewhere. It is all the more 



