Agricultural Education. 
539 
Meeting of Weekly Council, Wednesday, April 23rd. Lord Fevershaji 
iu the Chair. 
The subject of Agricultural Education was introduced by 
Mr. Holland, M.P., who, after a few introductory remarks, pro- 
ceeded as follows : — 
My Lord, — "We arc all agreed on the necessity of something being 
dono in the way of education for the agricultural class. In general 
the subjects for discussion here take two or three different phases, 
according to the nature of the land, the climate, and the latitude ; so 
that, in matters of agricultural practice, there are different views 
arising out of these circumstances ; but education is a subject in 
which we all feel an interest, but which we hardly know how to 
handle, in consequence of our not having any particular system con- 
nected with the agricultural body. A few years ago the question 
would not have been mooted in this Society ; but the growth of civi- 
lisation, the way in which man is now forced to exert himself, what- 
ever may be his social position, and the manner in which he has to 
compete with his fellow man, require that no class should be back- 
ward in the acquirements of the age. As illustrating the question 
of education in connection with agriculture, I would refer to the 
answer of an engineer of some repute in connection with this Society, 
who, when asked how a young lad should be brought up for the pur- 
pose of becoming an engineer, replied, " Send him to King's College, 
or to some other large public establishment of that nature." Then 
came the inquiry, "What do they teach of engineering there ?" "Never 
mind," was the reply : " don't think at present of his future pro- 
fession ; think only of his having a largo groundwork, a broad basis 
for a good general education." The same advice would aj>ply to the 
early education of a member of the agricultural body. The fact is, 
that whatever our ancestors may have done in the shape of education 
was voluntary on their parts ; it was owing to the peculiar habits or 
tastes of the individual if he became an educated man ; but now 
education is a necessity, and the only question is — How shall tho 
want be met ? In connection with this subject of education, every- 
body ought to read a pamphlet by the Eev. J. L. Brereton, Prebendary 
of Exeter Cathedral,* who has not only done great service by the 
manner in which he has made known the wants of the middle classes, 
but has gone practically to work, and, through his position and pecu- 
liar qualifications, has been able to make the public, and those who 
have power and authority in his own county, take an interest in work- 
ing out practically the views which he has submitted to them. 
Education has been quaintly declared to be the placing of the 
growing human creatine in such circumstances of direction or restraint 
as may make the most of him. It is the machinery for furnishing 
him with such information as will be practically serviceable to him 
in future life. In considering the question with regard to the farmer 
* ' Education as connected with Agriculture.' 
