376 
Technical Training of Stochmen. 
matter over with a living or dead specimen of an animal before us. 
The lecturer, altliough a stranger, should be one who knows his busi- 
ness, and who can talk to country people without the use of scientific 
words and phrases. Quite recently two flockmasters, who have 
both been very successful in obtaining for their .shepherds the prizes 
annually offered by the Suffolk Agricultural Association, “ to the 
shepherd who shall have reared from not less than 400 ewes the 
greatest number of lambs with the smallest loss of ewes,” were 
talking over this education question, and both agreed that their 
own medical men had, when in attendance at their different homes, 
imparted much valuable information. These good doctors, in their 
kindness of heart, were not only drawing attention away from the 
oftentimes very anxious cause of their presence, but were, in truth, 
imparting sound technical education on the subject of the farmer’s 
business. 
Let prizes, good substantial prizes, be offered to those who best 
pass a rather stiff examination, or wdio write the best essay, fol- 
lowing in the latter case the example of Scotch shepherds. 
If it is not practicable, from want of funds, so to treat a large 
area annually, take a district yearly. Farmers must assist in 
these efforts ; it is to their interest to do so. In my own locality I 
am prepared to do my best ; and if a shepherds’ class is formed for 
our sand district, both my neighbours and their shepherds and 
the shephei'ds’ boys shall be welcome at my farm, and I will gladly 
provide a sheep or two for the purpose of demonstration. 
Though I fear I have not been very successful in suggesting 
how to impart desired information, yet I trust I may have 
shown that there is a need of better technical knowledge in the 
farming business, and especially in the care and management of 
stock. 
Alfred J, Smith. 
PETROLEUM; ITS SOURCES AND USES.* 
Petroleum or mineral oil has been in commercial use for many 
years as an illuminant, for which purpose its employment is steadily 
extending, especially .among the poorer members of the community, 
because it has proved itself to be the cheapest and at the same time 
the most brilliant means of lighting at present available. Its use 
is also extending for the public lighting of moderate-sized towns and 
villages, in which, owing to the comparatively small production of 
gas, and to the great length and cost of mains compared with the 
value of the services taken from them, the price of gas runs high. 
At Erith, in Kent, for example, where the charge is 4s. Q>d. per 
thousand cubic feet, the Local Board find that oil lamps give quite 
' From the Address of the President to the Institution of Mechanical 
Engineers, Spring Meeting, 1892. 
