AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8180, 13 August 1906, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

; A PRACTICAL STEP. On Saturday morning Mr W. E Spencer, director of technical ed'ucai tiou in Taranaki, met the sub-corn-mitteo of the Taranaki Agricultural Society appointed to consider his scheme for the establishment of experimental plots, for the instruction of farmers m comparative values of vurious manures in different classes of soil and so on. The members present were Messrs W. Stanley, H. Okey, Hoskm Stead and Mr Webster (Secretary)! Mr W. Ambnry, who has taken an active part in this matter, was unavoidably prevented from attending. After discussim, it was moved by Mr Okey and seconded by Mr Hoskin, " That it bo a recommendation to the General Committee that the Society should grant a sum of .£2O to the Education Board (Technical branch), for the purpose of starting, for the present, three plots, at, say, Bahotu, Stratford, and another central position, provided the settlors in those localities should meet together and show a general interest in the scheme by coming forward and providing tho necessary land and labor and to do the laborious work in connection with each individual plot; this grant to bo used for the purpose of encouraging the study of agriculture by extending the function of the present classes by the establishment of experimental plots ; that in the event of this resolution being approved, a sub-committee of three be appointed to confer with Mr Spencer and arrange details."

Mr Spencer's scheme is lo have ;i few acres set aside in some locality easily reached by farmers. The ground will bo divided into experimen. tal or demonstration plots, where the experiments will bo carried out, and results noted. The work of kcepin;. Hie plots m order will probably be undertaken by the school pupils and will bu accepted as part of the lechnifal course thereby earning capitation from the Education Department Subsequently a couple of acres at Bel Block were offered by Mr Hoskin tor the purpose of starting a plot there and Mr Stanley agreed to do the necessary ploughing. Mr Newton King, with his usual g.wrosity, has offered to give whatover manures arc necessary this year