The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1888. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1926, 23 August 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1888. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

A matter of some importance to those who take an interest in agriculture in its more scientific forms, was brought up in the House at the beginning of this month by Mr Ballance who asked the Minister of Education whether he would i during the recess obtain information in j detail respecting the system of agriculI tural education in Ireland, which has recently been introduced into the elementary schools, where children are taught tbe principle of agriculture and horticulture on school farms and gardens. Very farorable notices of such a system of experimental agricultural education have come to hand and it is to be hoped fuller information will be available before next session. Professor Saunders, of Canada says, in a recent report, that from forty-five thousand to fifty thousand children are annually examined in Ireland as to their proficiency in agricultural studies, and that about half that number have succeeded in gaining passes for proficiency in this branch. The Albert Agricultural Institute, at Glasnevin, besides carrying on other good work, is training teachers for that purpose, and all those now engaged in elementary schools in Ireland are required to pass an examination in this subject before entering on their duties. Were some such measuro as this adopted in Canada, and the interest of children of all classes awakened by presenting to their minds some of the more attractive features in agricultural pursuits, there is every reason to believe the effect on agricultural progress would be very marked in a single generation. The Munster Agricultural and Dairy School is rendering eminent service to farmers in the County of Cork. While in this colony agriculture is likely to occupy a most prominent position, such a course of education cannot but fail to be of service to those who are to be our future agriculturists. At present a very large majority of our farmers have only knowledge of grain growing, and their ideas never soar much beyond getting a good crop. Such a thing as rotation of crops and giving attention to anything but grain growing is out of the question. By-and-by it will be necessary, as the natural richness of the soil becomes exhausted to devote j attention to other brandies of agriculture and set about farming in a more scientific way.