AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2244, 16 July 1908, Page 2

AGRICULTURE IN SCHOOLS.

MR. R. P. CLARKSON’S SCHEME. AN EXTENSIVE SYSTEM. A comprehensive report on tlio proposal to institute classes for tho instruction of agriculture in connection with the Board’s Technical Schools was presented to the Education Board at their monthly meeting last Mondav evening, by Air. R. P. Clarkson, director of the Napier Technical School. In outlining -a. scheme for carrying out tlio proposal Mr. Clarkson said lie would appoint four working centres— Dannevirke, Waipawa, Napier,, and Gisborne. These would bo considered “centres.” The schools which, were included \ 13nnevirke centre. —Woodlands, Kumcroa, Papatawa, Matahiwi, ICiritaki, Itoretaunga, Tipapakuku, Matamau, Ormondville, Whetukura, Alakotuku, Norsewood. 2. Waipawa centre. —Tak-apau, Ha--a tuma, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Onga -a Onga, Makaretu North, Hampden, Ivaikora, Te Auto. 3. Napier centre —Papakura, Pakipaki, Pukahu, Maraekakako, Maliora, Mangateretere, Havelock, Clive, Taradale, Petane, Puketapu. 4. Gisborne centre.—Makauri, Kaiti Te Arai, Maraetaha, Manga papa, Matawhcro, Patutahi, Orriiond, To Karaka, Waerenga-a-hika. . “The instructor,” ho said, “should visit all these schools and at each inspect books and records dealing with agriculture, advise the teacher, mid conduct a series of 8 or 10 special lessons extending over a period of 8 or 10 weeks, and dealing with the moro difficult and special work of the course. He would spend a period of 8 or 10 weeks at each centre, and would conduct on the Saturdays during that time special courses for teachers in which he would outline and deal with the special courses to be followed by the teachers throughout the rest of the year. Evening classes for farmers or dairymen might bo arranged in the centres if there -- was a demand for them, but they must not in any way interfere with the arrangements of the primary school system. During the part of the year in which he was not actually engaged in this course, lie might pay a second visit to the schools visited and report on the result of the year’s work, and might also arrange to pay a visit to schools too remote to. bo included in the full course of this scheme.

THE COST. “I estimate the cost at £4oo—Salary £3OO, travelling allowance £IOO. The departmental grant for 20 lessons in dairy work under supervision of an expert is 12s 6d, and for 40 hours agriculture under similar supervision is ss, so that it would bo possible for i school t 0 earn capitation of 17k 6d per pupil. Four hundred pupils at iss would yield £300; 534 pupils at 15s would yield £4OO 10s. There are in the schools in tho list given 591 boys and 5G2 girls eligible. Some schools on the list may not take tlio subject, but I think that will be compensated for by others not on the list who will take it. Again, no doubt in many of tho country,schools, girls also will wish to take the course, and this should compensate for shortage emsed by those schools which might take agriculture without dairy work. Moreover, I have uo doiibt that where it would be shown that country districts are receiving their due consideration, the Board could rely on the assistance of local bodies, Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and Fanners’ Unions to further the interests of agricultural education and to •«, subscribe towards the salary of an instructor who was to benefit every part’of tho district.”ROUTINE WORK. Proceeding to discuss the course of instruction, Air. Clarkson said: “As the habit of observation and record has been developed tho habit of reasoning from series of observations will naturally follow, but observation must precede reasoning. Tlio instructor would from time to time assist the class teachers by advice in this respect, 'and by questioning a class on observations made bv individual children would show wliat deductions a child might 'reasonably make from the recorded results of observation.

“For practical work in agriculture the methods of germination of seeds would bo shown experimentally, and much might be grown in glass 'bottles in the windows of the class room before there was actual germination in the open field. Iu the same way seeds might bo germinated in a flannel and their fertility tested. This experimental work would he carried on in the earlier part of tho year. “The actual work of gardening would probably not start till August though preparation of the ground in various ways for experimental purposes would occupy much time before then. ...

“Such a work as lessons in digging and methods of trenching -might be taken from tho commencement of the planting" season. “During the ‘off season,’ the experimental part of dairy' work would also' be taken. Experiments such as those simple ones which, show the presence of water, albumen, casein, fat, and lactose in milk might he performed at any period of the year, and may well be taken at times which are unsuitable for outdoor work iu agriculture. ° . “The practical dairy work in testing and lessons in the use of the Babcock test would also bo taken during the same period. “Hence it will bo seen that tho working of agriculture and dairy work together is an advantage from the point of view of arrangement of school work.

“Of course, the school year (January to December) does not form a suitable unit for cottage gardening, since the work done in October and must at least be continued vr the following March,- April, or May. Therefore, ■% two years’ course is absolutely essential to success. (1( _ THE SCHOOL GARDEN. “ Jhe school garden should in general consist of three parts:— "< “First A part for ornamental purposes, held in common or individually. This is often made the girls’ department, and, with proper handling, is productive of much satisfaction m the results. “Second—The experiment il or general plot, which will demand the chief thought and exercise of skill on the part of teachers, and will require the most- attentive supervision from the instructor in order to ensure the success of its working. “Third —The individual plots, in which, if the tone of the school is good, the keenest interest will be taken. The results achieved, and tho interest shown in the work, will often surprise teacher arc! inspector alike The Board deferred consideration ot the report for a month.