Report on Agricultural Education. 
531 
below the standard fixed as a minimum in each of these 
optional subjects. 
" Each candidate obtaining a first-class certificate will 
thereby become a life member of the Society. 
" The following prizes will be awarded to candidates placed 
in the first class for aggregate merit : — first prize, 25/. ; second 
prize, 15Z. ; third prize, 10/. ; fourth prize, 5/. 
" Certificates, to be named first- and second-class certificates, 
will be granted to candidates placed in the first and second 
class ; such certificates will specify the subjects in which the 
candidates shall have satisfied the examiners." 
The full examination, which is of a very searching character, 
extends over five days. The stumbling-block up to the present 
time, with many otherwise promising candidates, has frequently 
been the subject of book-keeping. Although the honour of 
holding a first-class certificate after such a thorough examination 
must be considered a high one, only a very limited number of 
candidates have at present availed themselves of this examina- 
tion. The highest number in any one year has been 21, and the 
lowest number 2. 
It is no secret that many members of the Council of the 
Society have from time to time wished to abandon this exami- 
nation, considering the result as inadequate, when money 
spent by the Society in advertising it and in the payment 
of examiners is taken into account. Hitherto, however, they 
have given way to their more sanguine colleagues on this point, 
and, hoping against hope, as it were, the Society still goes on 
holding these examinations yearly in May. 
But yet another attempt has been made by the Society to 
encourage education in middle-class schools. 
" Ten scholarships, of 20/. each, are offered, on condition that 
the scholar remain at school until the end of the summer term in 
the following year, or spend the ensuing year with a practical 
agriculturist, to be approved by the Education Committee, or at 
one of the Agricultural Colleges, or partly at school and partly 
with a practical agriculturist, or with a land-agent or at an 
Agricultural College. 
" The scholarship for any year will not be paid until after a 
testimonial as to good conduct and industry be produced, from 
the head-master of the school, the principal of the College, or 
the practical farmer or land agent with whom the scholar has 
complied with the preceding regulation. 
" Candidates for the scholarships must be between 14 and 18 
years of age. 
" Candidates still at school can only be entered for these 
scholarships by the head-masters of their respective schools. 
