19-22.] 



Farm Institutes. 



405 



The poultry department has proved exceedingly popular and 

 many applications have been received from pupils desirous of 

 specialising in the poultry industry. Pupils taking the dairy 

 course have received a good training in the hatching and rear- 

 ing of chickens by natural and artificial methods, the manage- 

 ment of laying stock and — most important in the public eye — 

 the dressing of table poultry. 



The increasing popularity of the Institute is shown by the 

 fact that the demand for admission exceeds the accommodation 

 available. 



CHESHIRE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE, REASE- 

 HEATH, NANTWICH.— Eeaseheath Hall and Estate was 

 acquired by the Cheshire County Council in 1919. The Hail 

 serves as a hostel for the staff and students, and the 

 adjoining buildings have been converted into chemical and 

 biological laboratories, lecture rooms, etc., on the most modern 

 lines. The maximum number of students that can be accom- 

 modated is at present 41. 



The Principal of the school is Mr. W. B. Mercer, and the 

 staff includes lecturers in agriculture, farm chemistry and 

 biology, horticulture, poultry keeping, dairying, and veterinary 

 hygiene. A farrier and carpenter are also attached to the staff. 



Courses of Instruction.— The main courses of instruction 

 are in : — 



Agriculture. — A winter course is held for about 22 weeks 

 from October to March, and a supplementary summer course 

 (on a higher level) begins in April and lasts for 12 weeks. 

 Everything possible is done to make the courses interesting to 

 -indents, who, in addition to attending the ordinary lectures, 

 laboratory classes and farm demonstrations, are given facilities 

 to attend local markets and to visit neighbouring farms and 

 other places of particular agricultural interest. One day in each 

 week is devoted to practice in manual farm operations. Students 

 are also accepted for training in practical farm work only. 



Horticulture. — The winter course, from October to March, 

 is followed by a supplementary summer course from April to 

 July. Limited numbers of students are accepted for training 

 in practical gardening only. Sixteen acres of ornamental and 

 kitchen garden land with several ranges of glass houses adjoin 

 the hostel, and a fruit plot of three acres has been established. 

 A considerable number of experiments on garden crops are 

 conducted annually. 



Poultry Keeping. — Two 12-weeks courses of instruction are 

 arranged, beginning in January and April respectively. The 



