SECTION M.—AGRICULTURE. 281 
only one agricultural adviser—some, indeed, have none—and yet this 
slender organisation represents in large measure the base of contact with 
the industry upon which the whole pyramid of our advisory and educa- 
tional work rests. It is here where I see the most immediately profitable 
outlet for any further moneys that may be available for agricultural 
education in the near future. The facilities for organised instruction 
in agriculture are at present adequate for the numbers of students coming 
forward, or likely to come forward, in the near future, the present 
problem in this sphere being indeed rather that of finding suitable 
openings for the numbers of students passing through our courses—a 
matter to which I shall return presently. 
I have already alluded to the chemical gaps in our specialised 
advisory organisation, and I might also have indicated the similar and 
eyen less comprehensible inadequacy in the provision for specialist advice 
in economics; but these are relatively small matters compared with the 
paucity of the less highly specialised but scientifically trained advisers of 
the County Organiser type, whose business it should be to secure the 
confidence of the individual farmer by personal contact, and the render- 
ing of assistance either directly in the simpler problems or with the help 
of the specialist staff standing behind them in more complex cases, 
whereby a more widespread and real appreciation of the practical value 
of agricultural education and research than now prevails might quickly 
be developed. 
A great extension of advisory work such as I suggest must neces- 
sarily involve heavy expenditure, and further, an exceptional measure 
_ of care in the selection of men, since in the direct approach to the farmer 
personal qualities may in the first instance count for more than technical 
proficiency. Furthermore, if the full measure of success is to be 
achieved, it is essential that a more closely organised and intimate 
contact should be established between the various units of the advisory 
organisation, from the research station through the scientific adviser, 
to the practical adviser. Our present organisation is too indefinite and 
too widely permissive in this respect and calls urgently for consideration 
by all concerned, both county authorities and advisory and research 
workers, with a view to more effective co-ordination and co-operative 
effort. 
I have laid great stress upon the potentialities of advisory work as a 
contribution to the alleviation of the present crisis, but I cannot close 
without some reference to the far greater contribution to the future 
prosperity of British agriculture which we can make through our educa- 
tional system, if wisely pursued, in the training of the farmers of the 
future. t} 
I have already expressed the opinion that the existing facilities for 
organised agricultural education—at least so far as universities and col- 
leges are concerned—are adequate to deal with the numbers of students 
presenting themselves. There is indeed at the moment a considerable 
excess output of the class of student who is either unwilling or unable 
_ to take up practical farming and must needs have a salaried post. This 
problem, which is becoming an increasingly serious one, especially for 
the non-university institution, such as my own College, hardly falls, 
however, within the scope of my present theme, except in so far as the 
