MR STEVENS’ ESSAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3723, 20 November 1906, Page 2

MR STEVENS’ ESSAYS.

The following are the conditions and subjects required to be dealt with in a treatise or paper to be written by competitors who "re pupils of the Foxton State School: Boys. Describe the best means by which to acquire a farm of 200 actes stating 2 several kinds of tenure leasehold and freehold—giving the reason for the preference of one kind of tenure over the other— and state how to work the farm giving in detail the best and most serviceable fencing required, the number of paddocks into which the farm should be subdivided, the size of dwelling and number of rooms required for family or 6; the necessary buildings required, the area which should be planted with trees for shelter and other purposes, the best means of obtaining and supplying water for each paddock, the various kinds of root and green crops most profitable to grow for feeding off and the several kinds of cereals to be grown for harvesting, the best kind of vegetables to produce in kitchen garden, the best kind of large and small fruit trees, the best method of making and stacking hay, the various kinds of grasses most suitable for wet and dry lands respectively and the quantities in bushels and pounds required to be sown per acre of allgrass seeds and grains giving in detail the best method of preparing the ground ready for sowing, the quantity in bushels estimated to be a fair crop, viz., oats, wheat, barley and several kinds of grass seeds to be harvested, the proper method of building and thatching corn stacks and hay stacks. HORSES. The best breed of draught horses for mrm work and the most profitable kind to breed, giving reasons why any breed is superior to another also the best kind of light harness horse to have on farm, the best kind of hack, the best kind of pony suitable for harness and hacking, the quantity and kind of feed to be fed to each of the several kinds of horses per day describing the best kind of stall loose-box, manger and hay rack stating when horses should be watered after work. CATTEE.

The best breeds of cattle for dairying purposes and for beet and dairying purposes combined, 'the several kinds of sheep being best suited for the production of mutton and lamb for export and the best breed of sheep for the production of wool irrespective of the value of carcase. Describe the age of sheep by what is known as “ mouthing,” how to shear properly, to.class and" roll and press the fleeces also state the number of sheep which can be grazed profitably and kept in good condition all the year round upon an acre of land sown in proper pasture and of average quality, the best method of drying sheep skins for the market also describe the best kind of sheep dip and stage for draining. PIGS. State the most profitable breeds of pigs to keep, the best means of economically housing and feeding them describing in feet the size and best style of pig sty and yard in which to keep a given number, of pigs. Describe the best kind ot fowls for laying and table purpos $ respectively and the same with regard to geese, turkeys and ducks stating the kind of food to be supplied them and how best to feed them. Give in detail the names of all farming implements, carts, drays and vehicles of all kinds, required for the farm and their several uses, how best to preserve them against weather and decay generally. State the number of men required for the proper working of the farm. Describe the best kind of gate, fastening therefore and gate post. Girls. Conditions required for prizes presented to girls by Mr Stevens, M.H.R., viz., First prize, £2 2’s, second prize is, and third prize los 6d, for a treatise on the best means of furnishing a house and of house-keeping. 1. Describe the cooking utensils required for kitchen and scullery, 2. State the crockery and articles of furniture required for the dining room. 3. Describe the various articles of furniture for furnishing a drawing room 16x24, including number of chairs, couches, and tables of various kinds— the best kinds of tapestry and carpeting. 4. State the several articles required for furnishing the entrance hall.

5- Describe in detail the articles of furniture required for furnishing double and single bed rooms.

6. Describe how to bake xolbs weight of bread stating how much flour, what quantity of yeast, salt, and other ingredients are required

for the purpose, also how to plain boil rice, how to maKe porridge, * how to boil, poach, fry scramble eggs. State how to make butter, cheese and curds and whey, the best method of cooking chops and steaks.

7- Describe how to make 3 different kinds of soup naming the ingredients and quantities required for one quart of each of the several kinds.

8, Describe the various ways of how potatoes should be cooked boiled, steamed, baked and roasted. 9- Describe the best method of roasting joints of beef, pork, veal, mutton and lamb, and how they should be served up respectively, and how to make Yorkshire pudding.

10. Describe how to truss and prepale poultry for the table. n. Describe the methods of roasting and boiling poultry. 12, How to cook and serve up a sucking pig, how. to cook by boiling, baking or frying all kinds of ish.

13. Describe the proper method of cleaning, boiling and serving tip all kinds of vegetables., the proper method of making 5 different kinds of pudding giving their respective names, and giving the names of 3 kinds of fruit pies. 14. Give the names and describe how to make 3 different kinds of cakes giving the ingredients required for each with their respective quantities. 15. Describe how to make rolbs weight of jam, peach plum and raspberry, and the best means of preserving the same over a period of 12 months.

16. Describe how to lay a dining table-and the best and most simple means of decorating it with flowers, and the best several kinds of dessert fruit and how to place it upon the table.

i - Describe the best method of making 10 gallons of hop or ginger beer giving the names and ■ ingredients required. 18. State the time of day at which house cleaning such as sweeping and scrubbing should be commenced and the time when it should be finished and also describe the proper method of washing,".’! starching and ironing shirts. and ; < and how to properly fold and brush a suit of clothes.