farmers' institute and EXTENSION WORK, 1913. 13 



other queries, and 26 report satisfaction with the results accom- 

 plished. 



The transportation companies are evidently awake to the impor- 

 tance of increasing production, partly in that it provides subsistence 

 for the rapidly increasing population, but mainly in its effect upon 

 the revenues of these corporations. Whatever motive may be 

 assigned for the interest that they have manifested, the fact is that 

 much has been accomplished by them in promoting a better agricul- 

 ture and in securing cordial feeling and close cooperation between 

 these companies and the individual farmer. 



AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORK IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



In order that institute directors and lecturers may be kept informed 

 the following notes by the assistant farmers' institute specialist 

 showing the progress of agricultural extension in foreign countries 

 during the past year are presented: 



England.- — In a memorandum recently issued by the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries to local authorities in England and Wales, grants are offered from a newly 

 established fund known as the "development fund" for use in the furtherance of 

 technical instruction in agriculture and horticulture. 



The grants are declared to be in aid first: "For the establishment of advisory coun- 

 cils to be set up in each county or group of counties for the purpose of reviewing, 

 governing, coordinating, or initiating schemes for providing higher agricultural edu- 

 cation and educational experiments in connection therewith." Second. "For the 

 provision and maintenance of buildings and lands for farm schools and farm institutes 

 at which young agriculturists and others whose daily business is connected with the 

 land may obtain scientific and practical instruction in the technicalities of their art." 



At each of these schools and institutes it is intended that a highly efficient staff 

 shall be maintained to give short courses of instruction suited to the requirements of 

 the district, and also to conduct experimental and research work 



The classes and courses of instruction which the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries 

 aids are for "persons of 16 years of age or more who have finished their school educa- 

 tion and are either pursuing technical studies with a view of becoming agriculturists, 

 or are already engaged in agriculture and desire to improve their knowledge of the 

 subject." 



Prof. T. H. Middleton in his introduction to the report states that it is clearly the 

 duty both of the central and local authorities to devise means for applying to practical 

 farming the knowledge provided by workers in research institutions. He states that 

 until the knowledge of the laboratory has been translated into practice in the field 

 the work of agricultural research is incomplete, and that all the knowledge hitherto 

 obtained in research laboratories will be valueless to any particular locality until 

 it has been applied by farmers to the cultivation of their land. He asks, How is 

 this application of scientific discoveries to the commercial questions of the ordinary 

 farm to be accomplished? Can farmers be expected to study scientific treatises? If 

 farmers did study and understand the publications of research stations, could they 

 afford the time and cost involved in the adaptation of the new principles to the par- 

 ticular circumstances of their own farms? 



He refers to the fact that the important task hitherto of the local co mmi ttees charged 

 with agricultural education has been to provide for the instruction of young persons 

 up to the time when they leave school or college, or to supply itinerant teachers 

 capable, as a rule, of instructing novices only. Now they will be expected to make 



