V. POPULAR INSTRUCTION 



a) Agricultural and Horticultural Professional Sections 



or Schools 



The sons of small farmers or gardeners could not, 

 after the elementary school, attend the secondary courses 

 which are so numerous in Belgium for children living in 

 cities and in industrial centres. 



This lack of secondary teaching is remedied by the 

 foundation of Professional Sections of an elementary 

 grade in agriculture and horticulture to enable the 

 children of farmers to get good agricultural instruction. 



These sections are generally established in rural or hor- 

 ticultural centres of some importance, near public or pri- 

 vate elementary schools. Only boys who have passed all 

 the courses of the primary school are allowed to attend 

 the classes. 



The instruction is free. The programme of the courses 

 is slightly varied in different localities. 



The agricultural sections. These Agricultural Sec- 

 tions are organized by the Departments of Public Instruc- 

 tion and of Agriculture. 



General instruction is given in Arithmetic and Drawing; 

 special instruction is given of a practical character for 

 which a garden of at least five ares (i) and the neces- 

 sary material are required. 



The instruction comprises a minimum of 25 hours les- 

 sons in Agriculture, 25 hours lessons in Zootechny and 

 10 hours lessons in Rural Economy and Accounts. The 

 programme also includes 3o practical demonstrations in 

 the fields or two hours excursion. 



These lessons can be given in two terms of six months 

 each, either in one year, or in two years. 



The professors, are chosen among the Agricultural 

 Engineers, the lecturers or the teachers having obtained 

 a Special Diploma and the teachers who have obtained 



fi) i are is equal to 119.0 square yards. 



