E.—lo.

8

that the'introduction of the teaching of natural science to the rural population must do much for the future agricultural prosperity of the country where such teaching becomes general. I need particularise only what has been done by science for sugar-beet cultivation. A diffusion of some knowledge of the principles of vegetable life, with investigations dictated by chemical science, has added materially to the yield of sugar in the crop, and so has largely increased the incomes of German and Belgian farmers. In the United Kingdom we still find a lamentable disregard of science in its application to agriculture, on the part of practical farmers generally; and there are evidences that the day is not far distant when such apathy, if continued, will entail serious consequences in regard to this great industry. Ireland at the present time especially needs a thorough knowledge of agricultural science and of its application to improved systems of farming. Agriculture is our prime industry, and therefore agricultural education demands most careful attention in the national schools generally. It is gratifying to be able to report that much valuable work is done by the Commissioners in this department of national education. The Science and Art Department, the Boyal Dublin Society, and some agricultural societies throughout the country are also working in this direction. It will not be disputed that the Commissioners of National Education have exercised a wise discretion in accepting co-operation from other societies in the working of their agricultural department. It is now seven years since tho Commissioners received the co-operation of a local committee, principally from the County Cork Agricultural Society, in working the Munster Agricultural and Dairy School. The relations of the Commissioners and the local committee have been always most cordial; several valuable suggestions of the committee have been favourably entertained by the Commissioners, and the school at present stands in the front rank of such educational establishments. Visitors from other countries interested in agricultural progress have expressed their desire for the establishment of similar schools. The Boyal Dublin Society and the Boyal Agricultural Society of Ireland have shown practical appreciation of agricultural education by establishing examinations for diplomas, and subscribing money towards scholarships and prizes at the existing schools under the Commissioners. There is reason for thinking that this action of the Agricultural Society will be continued. The constitution of the Agricultural Department and its operation during the year may be briefly stated as follows : — The Albert Institution. The numbers attending each of the several classes of this establishment during the year are shown under their respective headings. 1. The male Queen's scholars in training for teacherships of primary national schools, at the Marlborough Training College, and at the Church of Ireland Training College, Kildare Place, received regular instruction in agriculture. These young men attend at the Albert Farm twice in each week during their course of training, for instruction in the practical part of agriculture. Since the Commissioners established the rule for the compulsory teaching of agriculture from text books in all rural schools for boys, the students of the training colleges are more earnest in their study of agriculture. The opportunity afforded them under skilled agriculturists of becoming acquainted with the actual work of the farms and gardens is of great service by enabling them more fully to understand the lessons of the text books which they study, and those especially which they are to teach to their future pupils. Of the teachers in training at the Marlborough Training College and Church of Ireland Training College who attend at the farm on two days in each week during training, for the purpose of receiving instruction in practical farming and gardening, there were in 1887 — students from Marlborough Training College, 96 ; students of Church of Ireland Training College, 23. 2. Young men of the farming classes who ivere admitted to residence for a session of eight months, some of whom obtained free scholarships in competitive examination. The session for those students was attended by 38 pupils. The instruction afforded to this class is of a high order, comprising lectures in the schoolroom from eminent professors in natural science and mechanics, with special application to farm practice, land surveying and levelling, lectures on agricultural and horticultural practice. Those students are employed for a part of each day working on the farms and gardens under the agriculturist, in the practical application of the principles upon which they have been instructed. Lideed, any pupil desirous of obtaining a good knowledge of farming, scientific and practical, has full opportunity for doing so at the Albert Institution. The lecturers on the sciences immediately connected with agriculture—viz., chemistry and geology, botany, natural history, and veterinary science—are most painstaking in their efforts for the pupils, who take notes of the lectures ; whilst the example of approved methods of cultivation, and the care and management of the animals on the farms, give ample opportunities for becoming practically acquainted with sound farming. At the (male) agricultural students' session, from Ist March to 31st October, 1887, there were —paying pupils, 12 ; free pupils (on competitive examination), 25 ; extern pupils, 1. 3. Session for Dairy Pupils. —This class has been well attended by young women from the farming districts. A large number of the pupils are the daughters of farmers, who, on returning to their homes, practise the lessons taught them in the dairy school. Some of the pupils desire to qualify for taking situations as dairymaids. The class of pupils which are most desirable for this school are farmers' daughters, who in their several districts would be serviceable in circulating knowledge of improved dairy practice. The dairy sessions and numbers attending were : Dairy pupils (females), 7th January to 20th February (first session), 23 ; 6th November to 20th December (second session), 18 : total, 41. 4. Special Course for Teachers in Charge of National Schools. —National teachers are admitted to a short course of six weeks' duration, to enable them to acquire some practical knowledge of agriculture and horticulture, so as to increase their interest in the subject as treated in the text