Agricultural and Gardening Instruction.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7885, 29 July 1905, Page 2

Agricultural and Gardening Instruction.

With a view to encouraging the instruction in this direction in schools, the ('hiff-lnsiH'Ctor and the chairman of the Taranaki Education Hoard arc of opinion that every effort should 1)0 made to form classes for the instruction of nil teachers, in olemontary and Co.tuigfc gardening. The inspector in a report to Wednesday's meeting of iw lto a ed said that most of the teachers had a liook kwnvkdgo of the subject but were lacking in the practical knowledge. 'I o provide this, they recommended that in New Plymouth and Stratford suitable plots of ground lie set apart for gardens, and that capable Hardeners he appointed to give practical demonstration in the best methods of working the school gardens. Instruction in elementary science. necessary for a ratio,'itil understanding of thq principles of agrirtiV ture, could, they thought be arranged. Jt was hoped that all teachers would take advantage of the instruction, and, as a result, that elcimritary agriculture uml cottage gardening would be more generally tuught in schools. T nder the manual and technical regulations the Government will give grants for providing spades,rakes, etc., to schools where the subject is takeu up, af*l for the cost of maintenance will pay capitation on the attendance. Tho inspector concluded on will thujf »>(> that every encouragement is 'foil in.ftltufltMn in a subject of such importance to tho district."

The Chairman saf:l he thought agriculture the lliost important study in a" i-ol'ony like New ZealafJi, and was of opinion that it, did n<>! get technical education. Kven the most projwr recopjiil ion iin iho svsieni of elementary instruction must prove of benefit, and he Roped to see the study largely availed ol and amplified In tinn'. In onler to tench Hie children it was necesFfiry that, the teachers themselves should have a. proper grounding in ngrioulturo and gardening. Mr Alonkhonse seconded ihe a<lo[>tion of the 'vconiinendations, which met with ever.' approval from the Board and were adopted.