488 



Russian Agricultural Schools. 



are of a more general character, and are intended to give the 

 Khirgiz some acquaintance with the Russian language and 

 methods of farm work. There are further 19 horticultural 

 and viticultural schools for educating the young men as gar- 

 deneis, vine growers, etc. 



Besides the general schools enumerated in the above three 

 categories, there were in 1 897 ten dairy schools, all founded 

 since 1890, with a course lasting one year, followed by a year 

 on a suitable farm. There is also a school for agricultural 

 handicraftsmen, and one for shepherds. Three girls' schools,, 

 with 147 pupils, commenced operations in 1897, instruction^ 

 being provided in domestic economy and suitable farm work.. 



Of special forestry schools in Russia there are 30. These 

 are lower schools (replacing some of an intermediate 

 character), and men desirous of becoming forestal officials 

 are required to pass through such a school. They take boys 

 from 14 to 16 years of age, and the course lasts two years. 

 They are all connected with a forestal district, of which the 

 " ranger " at the same time conducts the school. During the 

 two winter terms the students receive theoretical instruction, 

 and are occupied in practical work during the summer. Each 

 school rarely takes more than twenty pupils, of whom ten 

 may be in receipt of State scholarships. 



Higher education in forestry is provided by (1) the St. 

 Petersburg Forestry Institute, under the control of the 

 Ministry of Agriculture, and (2) by the New Alexander Insti- 

 tute of Agriculture and Forestry, already referred to, in con- 

 nection with the Ministry of Public Instruction. Both are 

 somewhat restricted as to accommodation for pupils, especially 

 the latter, where the greater number of students are following 

 the agricultural classes. The usual course lasts four years,, 

 and includes practical work. 



The cost of the agricultural schools in 1897 was about 

 £230,000, of which, in round figures, £158,000 was contributed 

 by the State, £25,000 by the Zemstvos (local authorities), and 

 £47,000 by the students. These amounts do not include the 

 expenses of the forestry schools. 



