78 



instruction which was not absolutely neccessary for the 

 preparation of well instructed agriculturists, capable of 

 managing their own property or that of others, and, if 

 neccessary, of superintending industries which might be 

 carried on in connection with a farm. 



This change was made in the three years course of 

 instruction. As a corollary to this change a fourth optio- 

 nal year of study was created by Royal Decree of the 

 27 th March 1897. 



This fourth year's course is divided into three parts : 



A. Rivers and Forests. 



B. Chemical and Agricultural Industries. 



C. Theory of Agriculture and Agricultural Instruc- 



tion. 



This course enables young men holding agricultural 

 engineering diplomas to complete their knowledge in 

 forestry, chemistry, and agricultural industries and to 

 prepare thenibelves to give instruction in the theory of 

 agriculture. This change has given excellent results. 



Statistic? 



The number of pupils attending the college is conti- 

 nually increasing. 



In 1861 eleven pupils followed the lectures. 



1861-62 thirty one were in the books of the college. 



1870 the college was attended by 61 pupils. 



1880 83 



1890 117 



)> 1900 104 



1901 n3 



1902 118 )> 



1908 )> 180 



1904 i56 



On the I st January 1904 the college had i56 pupils viz : 

 60 boarders, 96 day pupils and 7 non collegians (90 Bel- 

 gians and 66 foreigners). 



