i6 THE PLACE OF RURAL ECONOMY 



the University, and (4) that the degree obtained by 

 successful candidates was of the nature of a technical 

 degree. On a vote being taken the preamble was 

 rejected by the narrow majority of forty-seven votes to 

 forty-five. 



So far as I am aware this was the last formal attempt 

 to secure for Agriculture a recognized place amongst 

 the subjects of instruction and examination in this 

 University. More recently another Department of 

 Rural Economy, Forestry, has been engaging attention, 

 and for the time being the Sibthorpian Professor has 

 been charged with the duty of giving instruction in 

 Forest Botany. This is, I understand, in fulfilment 

 of a pledge given by the University to the Secretary 

 of State for India, a pledge which the University has 

 been materially assisted to redeem by the generous 

 action of St. John's College. While the matter that 

 is embraced by the term Forest Botany is recognized 

 in most of the Universities and Colleges of Europe as 

 sufficient to employ a man's energies, it would appear 

 to be possible, with reasonable assistance, and with the 

 friendly co-operation of the Sherardian Professor 

 which I feel sure would not be denied for the Sib- 

 thorpian Professor to find time to direct a vital and 

 active Department of Agriculture, and to take a con- 

 siderable share in the teaching. Whether there is 

 a desire on the part of the University to revive the 

 question of the organization of agricultural teaching 

 and examination within its walls, I have not attempted 

 directly and specifically to ascertain. But the past 

 history of the movement, and the large measure of 

 support that it secured, would appear to justify the 

 anticipation that interest in the subject could be again 

 quickened into activity. It would appear, too, that 



