The evening times., 1899-01-24
TO TEACH
s.; 7 |. FARMING IN RUSSIA
Government Arranging a Sys-
tenn of Education.
Schools of Agriculture to Be Estab-
lished in the Empire.
Classes Intended to Educate Young
Men of the Peasantry-Methods
of Instruction.

The government or Russia is planning
for the establishment of quite extensive
system Of agricultural education. At re-
cent meeting Of the agricultural council,
an advisory body of which the minister OF
agriculture is chairman, an outline present
ed by the minister was considered at length
and a general plan of agricultural educa-
tion was elaborated. The Introductory to
this document states that notwithstanding
the fundamental Importance of agriculture
to Russia and the great fertility Of some
Of the Russian soils. 1.-The crops obtained
even on the chernozem (black soiD are only
one-third to one-half as large as those
harvested from the incomparabiy inferior
soils of Western Europe. Almost every
where in Russia the primitive processes of
farming are persistently followed by the
farmers, while the number of persons who
are fitted by education and training to dis
seminate information on the rational
methods of agriculture is comparatively
insignificant"
The scheme outlined for % higher edu-
cation, furnished by independent agricul-
tural institutes located in the chief agri
cultural zones of Russia, and by chairs OF
agricultural and allied sciences in the uni
versities: t2) agricultural high schools,
which are in the nature of technical
schools and schools with courses in agri-
culture; t3) lower agricultural schools;
and "a the diffusion of general agricul
tural information. The schools for the
so-called lower education include (a) sec
ondary agricultural schools, tb) primary
agricultural schools, (c) agricultural class
es, and I'D practical agricultural courses.
These lower schools are to be under the
jurisdiction OF the minister of agricultural
and imperial domains. They are to be
maintained at the expense of municipali-
ties, local communities, associations ETC.,
but may receive a part of their support
from the government. They are to have
the franking privilege for official mail
matter and packages not exceeding thirty
six pounds in weight. The secondary
schools are to be established on govern
ment land or land donated for that pur-
pose. The other lower agricultural schools
may be established on private estates. The
secondary schools are open TO young men
OF all conditions who have completed the
course in the primary public schools
The course OF instruction covers four
years, and includes in addition to the gen.
eral studies the elements of the natural sci
ences, agricultural and rural economy cat
tie raising, veterinary, agricultural law
horticulture, gardening etc. together with
carpentry and blacksmithng in their ap-
plication 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,
instruction in the elements OF agriculture,
with practical exercises The classes in
agriculture are intended for the instruction
of young men of the peasant class. The
course does not last longer than two years,
and consists in the study of the rudimen-
tary principles of agriculture and their ap-
| pitcation TO the local conditions. The sue
cessful completion of the course in these
three grades of the lower agricultural
school carries with il certain reductions in
| the military requirement. dependent upon
| the grade. The practical agricultural
courses are designed to impart popualr in
| formation in particular branches of agri-
| culture.
The instruction does not continue for
more than year, and consists in demon
strations, talks, and practical exercises in
| different branches of agriculture in their
| application to local conditions and esepe-
| cially TO the conditions of the peasants.
| The diffusion of general agricultural in
| formation is to be provided for by (1) the
| organization of public readings or lectures
| on agricultural questions for the benefit OF
| different classes of the population; (2) in
| struction of the teachers in the public
| schools in agriculture, horticulture, gar
| dening agriculture. etc, and providing the
| public schools with small plats of land and
| means for cultivating the same; t3l the
| teaching of agriculture in the normal
| schools, and (D the introduction of sup
| Elementary courses in agriculture in the
| village schools. There are now in Russia
| schools for higher agricultural instruc-
| ton, agricultural high schools. SO lower
! schools, and SO special coures. Steps have
| already been taken for the establishment
| of about so additional agricultural schools