The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-17

nature of contributions towards the ex-
pense of advisory councils which are
to be inaugurated and the provision and
maintenance of building, and of land for
farm schools and institutions.
Local education authorities are expected
to cooperate with the governing bodies
for centers of higher education, in the
formation of these advisory councils.
These, when formed, will consider such
questions as the provision of technical
advice to farmers, schemes of agricul-
tural experiment and demonstrations, and
the supply of instructors for rural schools.
Periodical reports are to be submitted
to the board in London 1t is pointed out
with quite unofficial common sense, that
the confidence of the farming classes
can only be gained by the appointment
Of sufficient number of local agriculturists
or other persons directly interested in
agriculture on the advisory boards. A
special officer is to act as organizer, and
also as teacher. Each county or group
of counties applying for a grant must
prepare a scheme providing for thes VS.
temat1c organization OF agricultural edu-
cation. in their area, and for it's connec-
ton wi tha arfm school as the head
quarters of the itinerant instructors em-
ployed. Both horticulture and forestry
come within the scope of this new scheme
One of the most ambitious schemes sup
ported by the commission is the develop
ment or forestry as national industry,
at total estimated cost o $475f, 900. The
money Is to spent on Advisory work,
instruction. research, buildings for insti-
tutions, the provisions Of forest gardens
ana demonstration plantations. The
scheme in its entirety cannot be put into
execution at once, but 1t is slowly being
realized through tuition In foresty at
various centers and through demonstra-
ton in one or two selected areas
so far as 1t lies in their power the COM
missioners ensure that the fund shall not
go into the pockets of private individuals
Tbis intention Is in accordance with the
act, which gives no authority to make
grants or loans either to individuals or to
companies or associations or persons
trading for profit. The experience of
the past three years shows that the effect
OF this restriction is to debar the commits
sloners In a few Instances from the most
direct and simple method of carrying out
the purpose of the act. The commission
ers themselves point out that 'afforesta-
tion might be sensibly assisted if it
were open to them tosrecommend loans di-
rect to private owners; and the extension
OF light railways would in all proba bility
be facilitated If loans could be made to
existing railway companies" This limita-
ton of the commissioners power was i'm
posed by parliament when it shaped the
bill, and doubtless some modification of
conditions proved to be ,hampering may
yet be made by the house of commons.
Thanks largely to the development COM
mission the dawn of new and better era
Is beginning for the sparse rural popula-
sion of old England. Opportunity is knock
ing at their door. The only danger is
lest, gummed to inaction by. use and
want, the local bodies fail to take advant
age of the assistance that is offered
Britishers are proverbially long in getting
out of ruts, and it will be come time yet
before the rank and file pull the wax
out of their ears and hear thee all to
development that Is sounding around
them /