12 TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN TROPICAL AGRICULTURE 



The training of a cadet embraces the acquiring of some 

 acquaintance with the manner in which the routine office 

 work of the institution in which he is placed is conducted. 

 He learns how correspondence is conducted and records 

 are kept, and participates in this work. He acquires a 

 knowledge of the various agricultural and horticultural 

 operations carried on at the institution, and attains some 

 skill in the practical carrying of them out; as his 'experi- 

 ence increases he is placed in charge of minor operations, 

 and gradually advances to the supervision of labourers 

 and to responsibilities of a higher order; he also takes 

 part in the experiments and investigations which are 

 undertaken by the institution, and learns to appreciate 

 their bearing on the agricultural problems of the district, 

 at the same time learning the value of that accuracy and 

 honesty of purpose which is vital to proper work of 

 investigation. 



Such training is calculated to produce in the cadet that 

 right attitude of mind which is the aim and end of train- 

 ing, and which, when engrafted, results in the cadet 

 having acquired such habits of thinking, reading, and 

 observing that his education is life-long, and he becomes 

 a progressive and useful member of the agricultural 

 community. The nature of his training affords him 

 opportunities for remaining closely in touch with the 

 workers of the botanic and experiment stations and 

 with the work and publications of these and kindred 

 institutions, whereby a life-long form of education may, 

 and does, result. 



The length of time a cadet should remain under train- 

 ing is often determined by personal considerations, but if 

 possible it should extend to two years, and in some cases, 

 as explained below, opportunities for extending the 

 training may usefully be given. 



It is desirable that the cadet should receive some small 

 sum of money weekly; while this may be regarded rather 

 as a subsistence allowance than wages, it has useful effects 

 in more than one direction ; it is extremely useful in that it 

 familiarizes the youth with the handling of small sums of 

 money for his personal use, whereby he learns some- 

 thing of the value and limitations of money, and it also 

 adds to his self-respect, for there is no doubt that every 



