SCHOOL AGRICULTURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 14 November 1939, Page 12

SCHOOL AGRICULTURE

CHILDREN'S INTEREST HOME PROJECTS JUDGING SHORTLY Tlie committee of (he Poverty Bay Boys and Girls’ Agriculture Club met in the Makaraka School last evening. Mr. C. J. Cox being in the chair. There are 11'schools in the club, the area embraced stretching from To Karnka and Tolnga Bay to Bartletts. As- well as the teachers present, there were also Mr. T. Walters, chairman of the Bartletts School Committee. and Mr. H. S. Tovey, secretary of tlie Muriwai School Committee. By the inclusion of school committeemen as members of the club committee community interest has been aroused and a further point of contact between the school and the home developed. There are three projects open to [he children—calf-rearing, sweetpea growing, and tlie growing of vegetables, either a single farm cron or mixed vegetables. The great interest and continuity of effort shown by the children of the various schools in tingroup is obvious when the records show that there are over 340 projects being carried on at present.

At each of the schools where there is a calf club a rally will be held during tlie first week in December, when the children's calves will be classed and judged, while a combined exhibition of the best from each group will be held in Gisborne about a week later. Sweet Pea Clubs Sweet pea seed was distributed to the children last autumn and the plants are now in full bloom. At schools where this project is being carried out judging of the plants and a small flower show will take place shortly. There will be six classes'in these shows: A. Sweet Peas. — (1) Champion bloom; (2) best six blooms of various colours; (3) best decorated vase or bowl of sweet peas and foliage. B, Spring Flowers. (4) Best decorated vase of spring flowers: (5) best posy; (6.) best buttonhole.

Judging of the vegetable plants situated at- the children’s homes will take place within the next two or three weeks, the judges for these being chosen in each school district.

A certificate is awarded for each completed project, whether it be for calf-rearing or the growing of sweet peas or vegetables. As a further incentive. a badge is presented for two completed projects ahd for those children completing four projects a special award badge is being obtained. Visit by Inspector It circumstances permit when Mr. Wild, technical inspector, visits the Gisborne district next year it is intended that he visit the various centres and it is hoped that lie will meet the committee and deliver a short address on the movement. The enthusiasm of Mr. C. G. Calvert, instructor in agriculture to the Hawke's Bay Education Board, and of Mr. R. I. Harrison, secretary of the club is responsible in a very large measure for the undoubted success of this extension of the work ol the schools.