Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-03-10
FARM AND GARDEN.
.MATTERs or INTEREST TO
A0RiCULTURIsTs
seasUp-to-Dnts Hints About Cui-
sivatlos Of the soil and Yields
Thssses Horticulture. visieuIturs and
Eiortruiturs.
Asr.sult.r.l Eaue.,lon in RassI.-

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
IL 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
tho great fertility OF some OF the Rus
sian soils. the crops obtained even
on the chernozem (black SOLD are on
ly one-thlrd to one-half a. large as
those harvested from the incompar-
persistently followed by the farmers,
while the number OF persons who are
dtted by education and training to
disseminate information on the rn-
tionai methods OF agriculture is COM
paratively insignificant" The scheme
outlined for q higher education, fur
ofshed 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: ca agricultural high
schools. which are In the nature OF
technical schools and schools with
courses In agriculture; (3) lower ag-
ricultural schools; and (D the diffu-
sion of general agricultural informa-
tion. The schools for the so-called
agricultural schools. (b) primary ag-
ricuturai 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 a
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
r:Sted 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
application to agricultural machinery.
The primary agricultural schools
IRE open TO all who can read and write
Ind have n knowledge OF arithmetic
Is far AZ fractions. The courses last
rom one to three years They include
lside from general studies. instruc-
ion In the elements OF agriculture.
With practical exercises. The classes
n agriculture are Intended for the In
Itruction OF young men OF the peasant
lass. The course does not last longer
han two years. and consists In the
tudy OF the rudimentary principles
II agriculture aud their application to
he local conditions. The successful
completion Of the course In these three !
trades Of the lower agricultural .
chools carries with 1t certain reduc- ,
ions In the military requirement. de-
,endcnt upon the grade.
The practical agricultural courses
IRE designed to impart popular infor- !
nation In particular branches Of Agri-
ulture. The instruction does not :
ontinue for more than year. and
PRACTICAL exercises In different !
ranches OF agriculture In their appli- ,
alton TO local conditions, and espe-
tally to the conditions Of the peas
ats. The diffusion OF general axri-
ultural information Is 10 be provided 9
Or by Cd the organization Of public b
sadings or lectures on agricultural n
uestions for the beneft OF different Il
lasses of the population; ca instruc- Z,
on OF the teachers In the public Il
rho0ls In agriculture. horticulture. "a
Ardening. agriculture. etc. and pro- q,
iding the public schools with small m
lats OF land and means for cultivat- n
e tho same; (5) the teaching Of az n
Icuiture In the normal schools, end q
y the introduction OF supplementary n
Durses In agriculture In tho village
rhools. There are now In Russia
aree schools for higher agricultural v
astruction. nine agricultural high n,
,hools. IS lower schools. and 50 spe- IL
al courses. Steps have already been "
Aken for the establishment OF about y,
! additional Agricultural ss.hrsola