3

H.—29b

encouraged, there is a strong demand for instruction in the subjects which are regarded as the best from the point of view of the Public Service Entrance and Matriculation Examinations. In the Matriculation Examination the subject of agriculture may be taken as an alternative to botany or physiology as the second half of the subject of natural science, which is itself an optional subject in the examination. For the Public Service Entrance Examination, agriculture is also an optional subject, ranking, however, with physical science and home science, while dairy science is also included as a separate subject, ranking with hygiene, geology, botany, and zoology. Higher Agricultural Education. A University course in agricultural, leading formerly to the B.Sc. in Agriculture, and latterly to the B.Ag., has been in existence for more than twenty years, the Canterbury Agricultural College at Lincoln having been recognized by the Senate for many years as a School of Agriculture. The statute in operation some twenty years ago required that students should matriculate and then take a four-years course, keeping terms for two years at a University College, and thereafter for two years at a recognized School of Agriculture, and should, in addition to keeping terms by attending lectures and passing the college examinations, also hold a certificate from the School of Agriculture of having passed an examination in practical farm-work. The University examinations for B.Sc. in Agriculture at that time included fifteen subjects, as follows : — (1.) Mathematics and mechanics. (30 Chemistry} for the B.Sc. degree. (4.) Biology. (5.) Mechanical drawing —as for the B.Sc. in Engineering. (These five subjects could be taken at the end of the second year, or even one section at the end of the first year, at a University College.) (6.) General principles of agriculture. (8.) Botany. (9.) Physiography and meteorology. (10.) Entomology. (12.) Mechanics applied to agriculture. (These five subjects could not be taken before the end of the third year.) (7.) Practical agriculture. (11.) Veterinary science and hygiene. (13.) Agricultural chemistry. (14.) Book-keeping. (15.) Surveying and levelling. (These five subjects could not be taken before the end of the fourth year.) In the year 1915 agricultural science was introduced for the first time as an optional subject in the Matriculation Examination. Certain changes were also made in the prescription for the Degree in Agriculture, which is now called the B.Ag. The subject of mathematics and mechanics was removed from the syllabus, but algebra and geometry had to be taken at the Matriculation Examination. The degree course was shortened to three years, including only one year at a University College, the subjects being biology, physics, inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry to the standard of the medical intermediate examination, and mechanical drawing. The B.Ag. examination in those five subjects could be taken at the end of the first year, and the remaining subjects at the end of the second or third year, but not more than six subjects in any one year. In place of the second year at a University College the student was required to do in some year outside the three years of the course such practical work as the Director of the School of Agriculture might prescribe, and to hold a certificate from the School of Agriculture of having passed an examination in practical work. In 1916 agricultural science was made an alternative to botany or physiology as the second paper in the optional subject of natural science for the Matriculation Examination, and it has so continued ever since. In the prescription for the B.Ag. examination the subject of farm engineering (including heat engines) was substituted for mechanics applied to agriculture of previous years. Few alterations have since been made in the B.Ag. course, and none in the half-subject of agriculture for the Matriculation Examination, but in 1922 the subject of agricultural science (two papers) was introduced into the list of optional subjects for the B.A. pass examination, a practical certificate being required as for other science subjects. In 1924 a professorship in agriculture was established at Victoria University College, Wellington, as the result of a gift of £10,000 by the late Sir Walter Buchanan, and a professorship in agriculture is being established in Auckland University College as the result of a bequest of £20,000 from the late Sir John Logan Campbell. The University Senate has recognized both these colleges as Schools of Agriculture. Training of Specialist Instructors in Agriculture. Provision is made by way of agriculture bursaries for students wishing to become instructors in agriculture under the Education Department. Such bursaries may be held at a State experimental farm, an Agricultural College, a University College, or other similar institution under public control in New Zealand approved by the Minister of Education for the purpose. Candidates must have taken a satisfactory agricultural or rural course at a post-primary school and have passed the Matriculation or an equivalent examination.