JOINT COMMITTEE'S REPORT, 1890 325 



But while endorsing in the main the lines which are suggested 

 in the report for the establishment and maintenance of such an 

 experimental and educational institution, we disagree with the 

 assumption that its chief use should be for the training of teachers. 



We consider that the great advantage of such an institution 

 would be that it would enable persons already engaged in agri- 

 cultural pursuits to attend for short periods for the purpose of 

 studying special branches of agriculture ; and we would suggest 

 that the scale of payment for these " short courses " should be 

 graduated so as to suit the means of ordinary farmers, small 

 farmers, farm bailiffs, and men desirous of occupying positions 

 of responsibility on a farm. 



Holding these views of the object and utility of such institu- 

 tions, it follows that, in our opinion, they should be multiplied 

 so as to bring them within convenient reach of farmers and others 

 in various parts of the country. We should like to see at least 

 four or five such institutions established in England. 



We wish especially to recognise the good work which is now 

 being done by educational dairy farms, such as that recently 

 established near Ipswich, and we cordially approve of State 

 grants being given in aid of such institutions. 



(Signed) C. W. GRAY, 



W. MANFIELD, 

 W. NETHERSOLE. 



In February, 1891, the Council passed the following resolu- 

 tions, as setting out what, in their opinion, was the best means 

 of utilising a fair proportion of the funds at the disposal of 

 County Councils for technical education : 



" That County Councils be recommended to adopt such as 

 may be in their opinion best suited to the circumstances of different 

 districts : 



" (a) The engagement of qualified persons to deliver 

 courses of lectures and conduct classes at various places in 

 each county. 



" (6) The encouragement, by means of regular grants, of 

 dairy institutes and itinerant or temporary schools of butter 

 or cheese making. 



" (c) Assistance to teachers in rural elementary schools 

 to attend lectures on agricultural subjects at convenient 

 centres. 



" (d) Assistance to scholars at elementary schools to pro- 

 ceed to secondary schools, by the institution of scholarships. 



" (e) The assistance of the establishment of ' agricultural 

 sides ' to existing County and Endowed Schools. 



" (/) The assistance of local agricultural bodies in con- 

 ducting practical and scientific agricultural experiments. 



