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THE EDUCATION OF THE SMALL FARMER.
Br



ROBERT WALLACE,

Professor of Agriculture and Ru/ral Economy in Edinburgh

University.
The weighty words uttered at Skipton a few weeks ago
by His Grace the Duke of Devonshire have brought the
necessity of remodelling the system of education for rural
districts to public notice. Although his remarks were
specially directed to the case of the labouring classes, they
are equally applicable to that of the small working farmer
class.
Every effort will be made, we trust, in the not far distant
future by the Local Authorities, who now have the power, to
bring our liberal and costly system of education into line
with recent developments and into harmony with local
conditions and requirements, in the hope that, among other
results, the depletion of the population of rural districts may
be stayed in the interests alike of the individual and the
community.
Whether or not even a perfect system of education will
stem the tide of rural depopulation yet remains to be seen.
This shifting of the centres of population is no local matter
confined to one class, to one people, or to one country.
Practically universal in all civilised countries that are pro-
gressive, it seems to be one of the natural evil consequences
of national prosperity ; but where (to the injury alike of



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those wko go and those who stay) these admittedly natural
changes are taking place too rapidly before circumstances
can adjust themselves to the new order of things, it is just
possible that an educational system, established on rational
lines, might have a powerful influence for good.
