150 
Report on Agricultural Education. 
tion is almost precisely similar to that of Les Merchines, and 
prizes to a similar amount are given to the successful students 
at the final examination. 
The cost of these schools to the State was not ascertained 
exactly by ^Ir. Jenkins, owing to the fact that the vote for the 
whole of them was made in one sum, including a number of 
farm schools. It appears, however, that about 31/. per head per 
annum is required as a subsidy from the State. 
Lower Education. 
The original establishment of farm schools in France dates 
from 1848 ; since then the rules and regulations do not seem to 
have been altered in any fundamental respect. These schools 
are of interest, as the means whereby a certain number of 
labourers' and very small farmers' sons not only receive a fair 
amount of scientific and general instruction, but are also trained 
in farm work entirely free of cost. The pupils are in fact 
apprentices, being bound to serve with the directors of the 
schools for two or three years. The number of apprentices at 
each school is fixed by the Ministerial order, which makes the 
school an educational establishment under the Government. 
This number varies according to the extent of the farm and the 
nature of the agriculture ; in pastoral districts there must not 
be more than one apprentice to twelve or fifteen acres, but in 
corn districts one apprentice to every eight acres can be 
received. There is a rule, however, as to the total number of 
apprentices, which must be at the least twenty-four, as other- 
wise the proportional expense to the State would be too great. 
The number of apprentices must be limited according, to the 
area of the farm, so that there is always sufficient farm work for 
them, and it is desired that they should be sufficiently numerous 
to avoid the employment of any othqr labour. The apprentices 
are bound to work in the same way as paid labourers. They 
cannot be received until they have completed their sixteenth 
year, and during their stay of two or three years at the farm 
they cost their parents, as has been before mentioned, absolutely 
nothing. 
Cost of these School^. — The following is the allowance made 
by the State towards these schools. In the first place 270 francs 
(lOZ. 16s.) are granted towards the keep of each apprentice, and 
the following sums towards the salaries of the director and 
stafif: — 
Director, 96/. per annum. 
One inspector-accountant, 40/.-60/. 
One gardener-nurseryman, 40/.-60/. 
One farm bailiff, 40/.-48/. 
One veterinary surgeon, 20/.-32Z, 
