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Agricultural Education in Germany. 



ing and lower agricultural winter schools. In considering them 

 it may be remembered that the Kingdom of Wiirtemberg con- 

 tains about one-thirtieth of the total German population and 

 about one-twenty-seventh of the total area of the German 

 Empire. 



Farming schools, of which there are three in Wiirtemberg, 

 are organised upon a uniform plan, under the supervision of the 

 Ministry of Education and the Royal Bureau for Trade and 

 Commerce at Stuttgart. 



They are intended for the instruction of small peasants, small 

 'farmers and tenants, in practical agricultural work. Each school 

 is managed by a director, who must be a farmer, and who rents 

 from the State the farm attached to the school, and culti- 

 vates it at his own risk as a tenant of the State Domains ; 

 •during his term of office and tenancy he possesses the rank of a 

 Government official. He is assisted by an instructor, a farming 

 inspector, and a veterinary surgeon. 



The course of instruction lasts three years, and the number of 

 pupil-labourers is generally limited to twelve ; should there be 

 less the director is not entitled to any compensation from the 

 State, nor is he allowed to exceed the number of twelve with- 

 out special permission. Intending pupils must be at least 

 seventeen, strong and healthy, acquainted with ordinary farm 

 work, and have passed through the lower preparatory schools. 

 Special attention is paid to practical instruction, which includes 

 almost every branch of farm work. 



The pupil-labourers do not pay any fees, and they receive 

 board and lodging free. The working hours are fixed at ten 

 In the summer and eight in the winter ; at harvesting times 

 two hours more are required. Theoretical instruction is post- 

 poned until the brunt of the work is over. There are no regular 

 holidays, but leave of absence for short periods may be' granted, 

 upon application, for special reasons. Lodgings, furniture, bed- 

 clothes, and washing utensils are supplied by the State; food is 

 provided by the director as an equivalent for the work per- 

 formed. 



The Wiirtemberg agricultural winter schools, of which there 

 -are eight, are only open, as their names imply, during the winter 

 months. They are intended for the sons of small holders who 



