Report on Agricultural Education. 137 
not compelled to pass on to the agricultural school in these 
academies, though under certain circumstances they are allowed 
to profit by the instruction there given in foreign languages. 
Hildesheim. — According to statistics given by Mr. Jenkins as 
to the number of pupils, subsidies, and quantity of land attached 
to these farms in Prussia, it appears that the school at Hildes- 
heim stands in the front rank as regards the number of pupils, 
and more especially as to the exceedingly large proportion of 
the students who enter for agricultural subjects. Mr. Jenkins 
remarks also that the fees charged are higher than at any other 
school of the sort, though this remark may seem absurd to 
Englishmen when they learn that these fees only amount 
to about 10/. per annum. Dr. Michelsen, the director of this 
school, has selected, for the two foreign languages taught, Latin 
and English, from the following considerations: — The school is 
situated in the province of Hanover, and therefore there is more 
commercial and other intercourse with England than with any 
other country. Had it been situated in South Germany, 
Dr. Michelsen admits that he should have adopted French as 
the modern language to be taught : and as regards Latin, he 
wisely looks upon some knowledg° of it as essential to the 
proper study of the natural sciences, as so many technical terms 
are derived from it, and the names of plants and animals are 
constructed on a Latin basis. About nine-tenths of the pupils 
are the sons of small proprietors or tenant farmers, and the 
remainder of wealthier people ; and though the majority of 
them are Hanoverian, a small percentage of Dutch, Danish, 
Russian and French are found among their numbers. Mr. 
Jenkins particularly noted at this school the collections of 
natural history objects and microscopical preparations as 
being marvellously well adapted for teaching in a school of this 
kind. Xo fewer than a dozen microscopes are employed in the 
demonstration lectures ; and although these instruments did not 
cost more than 505. each, they are equal to the definition of 
objects which require no higher power for their observation 
than ' rust ' and ' mildew ' in wheat, and similar substances, 
which are well illustrated in the collection. Excursions to 
farms in the neighbourhood are frequently made. 
A few special features in two other of these establishments, 
namely those of Weilburg on the Lahn, and Bitburg, near 
Treves, are noted. At Weilburg the pupil pavs 4/. per annum 
in fees, and can obtain board and lodging lor as little as 25/. 
per annum. The State subvention is about 900/. per annum, or 
about 15/. per student. Most of the pupils after obtaining their 
final certificate go to study practical agriculture on large farms, 
either as pupils or volunteers, and are so much sought after in 
