AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 79, 29 April 1909, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Mr. R. McK. Morison, agricultural instructor, reported yesterday to me Education Board on his second round olj visits to the schools. On the wjiole the results were highly satisfactory and very encouraging. The work was arranged so as) to teat satisfactorily the values of superphosphate, bonedust, Special root manures and no manure.

Altogether some fifteen varieties oi] farm and garden vegetables were sown. The whole of the Beeds this year hadj been gratuitously supplied by Messrs Sutton and Sons, and gave every satisfaction. Weatficld manures were used, also donated by the manufacturers. The instructor again drew attention to the splendid work of the Stratford Horticultural Society in fostering an interest in connection with the school gardens. The handsome banner presented by this Society, together with many other inducements offered, hare been the means of creating a great deal of enthusiasm, with the result that a really magnillcent display came forward at the recent Show. '» THE CENTRAL SCHOOL GARDEN. Mr. H. Dcmpsey, headmaster of the Central School, wrote r "I am in receipt Of the agricultural instructor's report on the school gardens, and your Board's resolution expressing disappointment at the lack of interest shown in connection with the work. On enquiry from the instructor, he informs me, among other things that (a) there was much vacant ground; and (h) a fair portion has been handed over to a private person." . The "vacant ground" referred to is in the south-western part of the enclosure. This part was originally the "teacher's plot," and has never been used as part of the school garden, although the boys, rather than see it unsightly have kept it cultivated and free from weeds. As regards the "portion given to a private person," this refers to a strip some five or six yards in width, occupying the northern end of the ground, Vid adjoining the Board room. The explanation is this. Of the four plots forming the: garden »ne was manured with superphosphate, another with bonedusl, another with root manure, while to the fourth no manure was applied. Late in the season, when Mr. Sand Ford asked for the use of a small part of the ground, I gave him the limnanurcd plot, as the boys had by that time learned the lesson to be conveyed by the absence of manure. As Mr." Sauu'urd had interested himself in the garden previously. I preferred his using the plot to its lying waste for the remainder of the year. It is to be regretted that Mr. Morison, at the times of his visit, did not more fi'.mkly and explicitly convey his opinion of the garden, as he gave both the boys and m.'.s'l; the impression that he was satisfied, on Uc whole, with what had been done. As

far as we can remember, he only mentioned a' small patch of weeds in one place, and a few turnips growing 100 closely together in another. !|,. also remarked, but in no fault-fln-'ing way, that the cauliflowers had gone to -red. I certainly consider his report unreasonably harsh and very discouragiii : . iiis general instructions as to (a, - : ;-' of plots, (b) quantities and kind-.0.' manures, (e) seeds sown, together wi;h ilie after-cultivation of weeding, thriving, and transplanting, were carried in 1 : in a manner that, as a whole, secured -a iU-fat-tory crops. The fences nr-o id the garden were looked after and kept clear of weeds, the boys, inv first a-si-.ant, and myself being equally interested in the Work. 'ln addition to'this, the femes enclosing the square (Education Bo nil's and school committee's alike) w<to kept clear, which, owing to the conditions o' the work, entailed a large amount of

■■-, labpnr, which the boys, although they did it willingly had no right to do. -_ They also prepared the ground, planted and kept dean, on Hie Square itself, nil additional fence or over 200 trees. I should like to think that had your - Board known all the circumstances, they would not have attributed lack of interest, either to the boys or myself. ) trust, however, that you will yourselves in future, inspect the' garden, and forni your own opinion as to its merits." ;.;.. Members of the Board could see for "■• themselves from the windows of the •Board-rboin that the gardens at present ;'•' 'boriß a-'very tidy and well-kept appear- • ante.