736 Horticultural Institute at Geisenheim. [dec, 



and will even vacate for a time the district in which they are 

 being harried. If, therefore, it is proposed to exterminate the 

 rats in a large district, means should be employed whereby 

 this intelligence can be used to compass their destruction. 

 With this object combined efforts should be made over a wide 

 area, and the attack made in a circle radiating from a given 

 spot in which it is considered that the final work of destruction 

 can be accomplished with least difficulty. Rat hunts should 

 be organised simultaneously on the circumference of this 

 circle, traps and poison should be laid on the outside and 

 food supplies in the centre to which the rats should be driven. 

 Every precaution should be taken to see that no rats escape 

 outwards, and their holes should be closed, and their runs and 

 nests destroyed as the circle is gradually drawn closer. 

 Finally, when a broad band at the circumference has been 

 cleared, poisoned food should be employed in the centre, and 

 virus laid where the rats can take the disease. 



One of the Board's Inspectors, Mr. A. H. Lees, spent some 

 time during the past summer at the Prussian Institute for 

 Wine, Fruit, and Garden Culture, at 



The Prussian Geisenheim, and has furnished the 

 Horticultural Institute . , 



at Geisenheim Board with the following account of the 



work at the Institute and at the Experi- 

 mental Station, which is attached to it. 



The object of this Institute, which has been in existence 

 since 1872, is to give complete theoretical and practical instruc- 

 tion in the cultivation of the vine and of fruit, vegetables, and 

 flowers. A good deal of attention is devoted to the wine in- 

 dustry, and instruction is given in the processes involved in 

 the manufacture and storage of wine, and also in the utilisa- 

 tion and disposal of fruit. The prospectus states that it is the 

 object of the Institute to educate its pupils in such a way that 

 they may not only be well taught in the theory of the subject, 

 but that they may also thoroughly master the practice, in order 

 that they may be able later on to pursue their calling in a 

 rational manner. For this purpose theoretical teaching and 

 technical instruction go hand in hand. 



The scientific research and experimental station which is 



