378 Agricultural Education in the Netherlands, [aug., 



tion for each diploma at the end of the third year. Attend- 

 ance at classes is not compulsory before entering for any of 

 these examinations, although such attendance is really neces- 

 sary. During the second and third years, candidates take 

 different courses for the various diplomas, each course being 

 adapted for its special purpose. Subjects to which special 

 attention is directed for the diploma in agriculture are : — 

 (a) animal breeding, the lectures on which are given by the 

 Director, and (b) veterinary science, which deals with diseases, 

 ailments, and their remedies. The lecturer in this latter 

 subject combines zoological and veterinary surgery qualifica- 

 tions. His museum laboratory is particularly well equipped 

 with zoological specimens, especially those suitable for 

 demonstrations of unsoundness in horses and of diseases of 

 live stock. Other subjects included for agricultural students 

 are agricultural chemistry, book-keeping, estate manage- 

 ment, surveying and levelling, building construction, and 

 other work similar to that taken in the second and third years 

 for the degree in agriculture at Armstrong College and at 

 other colleges in this country. At the close of the three years' 

 courses the final examinations for the different diplomas are 

 held. 



Post-graduate courses for students who have completed 

 their diploma courses and examinations are also conducted. 

 For these a nominal fourth year's course of study is provided, 

 which really means a two years' additional course, the first 

 year of which is spent by the post-graduates on well-managed 

 farms or in work at agricultural stations in the Netherlands 

 or abroad, while the second year is spent at Wageningen in 

 taking special subjects and in doing research work. Those 

 who have taken such a course may pass a State examination, 

 which is the best qualification in the Netherlands for a higher 

 teaching post in agriculture. Just as a diploma from 

 Wageningen has the status of a degree in a University, so 

 the passing of this Higher State examination is looked upon 

 as being equal to a doctor's degree. 



The library has 10,000 volumes, and the librarian gives his 

 whole time to his work. 



There are two points in the Higher Agricultural School 

 at Wageningen to which attention may be drawn : — 



(1) Owing to the fact that all students have passed through 



