extension of the present arrangements for instruction in science and the direction of the attention of our students in the Colleges to those branches of it which are allied to Practical Agriculture.
“With a view to rear up a body of qualified Teachers, it would be necessary, in the first instance, to provide for their instruction in the Normal Schools, which are now maintained for the training of Village School-masters. A Manual of Practical Agriculture in Bengalee may also be prepared, giving a description of the soils of Bengal, their peculiarities, the means of their improvement or the preservation of their vitality, the crops adapted to the soils, the advantages of drainage and irrigation, the leading principles of practical chemistry; in short, such ideas about Agricultural arrangements and the management of cattle as may be easily comprehensive to the masses, and the practical application of which may be beneficial to the country.[1]
“By thus working at the two ends, that is, with the English Colleges at one end, and the Vernacular Schools at the other, some good, the Committee have reason to believe, may be effected, though they can conceive that improvement to the desired extent must be the work of time.”
In June 1863, an Agricultural class was opened in connection with the Calcutta Normal School, taught by Babu Harimohun Mookerjee, who reported of the studies in July 1867:—
“The pupils of all the three classes of the Normal School are admitted to this class, and are taught through the medium of lectures for an hour twice a week. The subject of study in this class comprises Elementary Botany, Agriculture and Horticulture. The first is taught by lectures only, there being no class book available in Bengalee. The lectures, however, are so framed, and the points discussed are so illustrated by the exhibition of specimens, that the want of a class book is to some extent obviated. Opportunity is also availed of every Saturday to take the more advanced pupils to the Royal Botanical Gardens for practical instruction, both in structural and systematical Botany and Agriculture. The lectures on Horticulture and Agriculture are devoted to the study of soils, the modes of improving them, the manures best suited to this country, the system of propagating and multiplying plants, the effect of climate on vegetation, and such other subjects as are generally included under those heads. In learning these subjects, the boys have the aid of a small treatise published by me, and that of certain manuscript notes which are intended for publication, whenever sufficient encouragement shall offer. These notes treat of the whole subject of Agriculture.”
Adam frequently refers not only to Agricultural, but also to Medical Education through the Vernacular:—
Previous to 1807, from fifty to one hundred native doctors used to attend the native hospital to study the practice there, and introduce it among their countrymen—one of them got so rich as to drive in his carriage.
A Vernacular Medical School of thirty students had previously existed under Dr. Jameson, a knowledge of Hindustani was required, they received eight rupees monthly during their course of three years’ study, and were afterwards posted to civil or military employ, on salaries of twenty or thirty rupees monthly, with pensions; instruction through Hindustani was given on Anatomy, Materia Medica, and Clinical subjects. Dr. Breton, another professor, published various Urdu works on Medical subjects.
- ↑ Note.—There are already two good books in Bengalee on this subject, the Krishi pât and Krishi Darpan.
