Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-03-03
FARM AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO
ACRICULTURISTS.
SomoUp-to-Date Hints About Gull
tivation of the Soil and Yields
Observation-Disclosures, viticuiture and
Horticulture.
Agricultural Education In Russia.

report sent out by the Oulteu
states department of agriculture
says: The government Of Russia is
planning for the establishment OF a
quite extensive system of agricultural
education. At recent meeting OF the
agricultural council, an advisory body
of which the minister Of agriculture
is chairman, an outline presented by
the minister was considered at length
and general plan of agricultural ed
ucation was elaborated, The intro
ably inferior soils Of western Europe.
Almost everywhere in Russia the
primitive processes Of farming are
duction to this document states that
Notwithstanding the fundamental i'm
portance of agriculture to Russia and
the great fertility of some Of the Rus
sian soils, 1.-The crops obtained even
on the chernozem (black SOLD are on
ly one-third to one-half as large as
those harvested from the incompar-
persistently followed by the farmers,
while the number of persons who are
fitted by education and training to
disseminate information on the ra-
tional methods Of agriculture is COM
paratively insignificant" The scheme
outlined for Il higher education. fur
nished by independent agricultural in
stitutes located in the chief agricul-
tural zones Of Russia, and by chairs OF
agricultural and allied sciences in the
universities; (2) agricultural high
schools, which are in the nature OF
technical schools and schools with
courses in agriculture; (3) lower ag-
ricultural schools; and az the diffu-
sion of general agricultural informa-
ton. The schools for the so-called
lower education include (a) secondary
agricultural schools, (b) primary ag-
ricultural schools, (c) agricultural
classes, and (d) practical agricultural
courses.
These lower schools are to be under
the jurisdiction of the minister of ag-
riculture and imperial domains. They
are to be maintained at the expense
OF municipalities, local communities,
associations, ETC., but may receive
part of their support from the govern
ment. They are to have the ranking
privilege for official mail matter and
packages not exceeding SO pounds in
weight. The secondary schools are to
be established on government land or
land donated for that purpose. The
other lower agricultural schools may
be established on private estates. The
secondary schools are open to young
men of all conditions who have COM
pleted the course in the primary pub
lie schools. The course of instruction
covers four years, and includes in ad-
,dition to the general studies the ele-
ments of the natural SCIENCES, agri-
cultural and rural economy cattle rails
Ing veterinary, agricultural law, hor-
ticulture, gardening, etc, together with
carpentry and blacksmithing in their
to agricultural machinery.
The primary agricultural schools
are open to all who can read and write
and have a knowledge of arithmetic
as far as fractions. The courses last
from one to three years. They include
aside from general studies, instruc-
ton in the elements Of agriculture,
with practical exercises. The classes
in agriculture are intended for the in
struction of young men of the peasant
class. The course does not last longer |
than two years, and consists in the |
study of the rudimentary principles
of agriculture and their application to
the local conditions. The successful
completion of the course in these three
grades of the lower agricultural
schools carries with 1t certain reduc-
lions in the military requirement, de-
pendent upon the grade.
The practical agricultural courses |
are designed to impart popular infor-
nation in particular branches Of agri-
culture. The instruction does not
continue for more than a year, and |
consists in demonstrations, talks, and |
practical exercises in different |
branches of agriculture in their appli- |
cation to local conditions, and espe-
cially to the conditions Of the peas
ants. The diffusion of general agri- !
cultural information is to be provided |
for by ~ the organization Of public |
readings or lectures on agricultural |
questions for the benefit of different |
classes of the populations; (2) instruc-
ton of the teachers in the public
schools in agriculture, horticulture, |
gardening, agriculture, etc., and pro-
viding the public schools with small
plats of land and means for cultivat-
ing the same; (3) the teaching OF ag- |
riculture in the normal schools, ;nd |
az the introduction Of supplementary |
courses in agriculture in the village |
schools. There are now in Russia |
three schools for higher agricultural |
instruction, nine agricultural high |
schools, SO lower schools, and SO spe-
cial courses. Steps have already been
taken for the establishment of about |
so additional agricultural schools.
blackberry Crops
No blackberry can be brought to |