TIMBER IN TASMANIA. 35- 



instance, take the Forestry and Agricultural School 

 established for many years at Gembloux, in Belgium. 

 Boys, when they have reached 13 or 14 years of age, 

 after having gone through the usual schooling term at 

 their respective schools, are allowed to enter this insti- 

 tution after passing an examination, which any properly 

 educated lad with ordinary intelligence can easily do. 

 He is boarded, taught practically and scientifically 

 everything necessary to make him, in two or three years, 

 during which he has to pass periodical examinations,- 

 proficient in forestry and agriculture, at an expense to hi& 

 parents or friends of about j£30 to £40 per annum. 

 There are scholarships attached, which, in many cases, 

 cover this outlay. Any lad who leaves the school with 

 a certificate of proficiency is sure to meet at once with 

 an engagement from large land and forest owners, 

 who are only too glad to avail themselves of the ser- 

 vices of persons thoroughly and practically brought 

 up. There are numbers of lliem employed also at 

 very remunerative salaries in foreign countries, such 

 as Russia, Siam, Burmah, Turkey, &c. Your youth 

 would, however, soon find an opportunity, either under 

 Government, or for their own or family's account, to 

 turn their practical training to good advantage at home. 

 In these schools, also, there are, during certain months 

 of the year, classes for adults, which farmers and 

 foresters can profitably attend, at a very small expense. 

 The school fees, charges for analysis of manures and soils, 

 valuation of properties, laying-out of grounds, gardens,, 

 products of nursery, cattle, &c., render such schools 

 soon self-supporting, and as the manual labour in the 

 estabishment is practically done by the pupils, and nearly 

 all the necessaries for living are produced there, the 

 annual expenditure should not be very great. 



I cannot help thinking, from what I have seen here,, 

 that this instruction is very much required, and I believe 

 that your best agricultural men would agree with my 

 views. I have visited many of your orchards and fruit 

 farms, and it seems to me that, in a great many cases, 

 a good deal more of technical knowledge was required — 

 in choosing the trees, planting and pruning them, as well 

 as packing the fruit for export — if your great fruit 



