Russian Agricultural Schools 



487 



A large number of public situations are open to these 

 graduates, and many see c places under Government. There 

 are numerous posts under Government or local authorities 

 throughout the empire ; they can enter the service of the 

 agricultural societies, of which there were in 1898 about 170 

 (with some 125 branches) ; or they may be able to obtain a 

 post in the Ministry of Agriculture and Domains. 



The intermediate agricultural schools, which have not been 

 subjected to any material reorganisation, are seven in 

 number, situated at Sorki (Mohilew), Kazan, Kharkow, 

 Marinowka, Moscow, Uman, and Kherson. There is also one 

 similar viticultural school. Their object is mainly the train- 

 ing of practical bailiffs, etc., and of teachers for the lower 

 schools. Each has a farm, varying in extent from 370 to 

 1,800 acres. The teaching is so arranged as to be chiefly 

 theoretical during the winter months and practical during the 

 summer. The whole course is of six years' duration, but 

 many of the pupils stay for only one or more years, as they 

 frequently obtain employment before completing the course ; 

 for instance, the number of students in their sixth year were, 

 on the average of the three years 1894-6, one quarter of those 

 in their first year at the Moscow School, and a little over half 

 at Kharkow. There are also special courses at some of these 

 . schools, e.g., on land valuation at Sorki, on wool grading and 

 on teaching at Kharkow. The total number of pupils at all 

 these intermediate schools was 1,436 in 1897. 



The lower agricultural schools, of which there were 73 in 

 1894, have considerably increased of late, and numbered 109 

 in 1898. Apart from four State schools, which have long 

 been in existence, they are all founded and conducted in 

 accordance with the "Normal Regulations" of 1883. There 

 are thus first and second grade schools, as well as some of a 

 more elementary character under the supervision of the 

 officials of the Steppe districts. The course lasts three years, 

 to which one year s practical work is added. The schools 

 either have their own farms, or are able to make use of 

 estates belonging to public bodies or individuals. The aim 

 of these lower schools is to prepare the students as practical 

 ander-bailiffs, etc., while the more elementary Steppe schools 



