AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1917, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. Mr. R. A. S. Browne (director of agricultural education] reported to theTara7wld Education Board yesterday as follow*: Owing to bad weather, also to term holidays ami shows, the past four weeks has been v period of broken tirao so far as instructional work was concerned. Nevertheless some eighteen lectures to farmers 'have been given,, also twenty demonstrations and lessons in orchard Work, and fifty-ono visits have been made to schools, in addition to regular instructional work at New Plymouth and Hawera Technical Colleges, and Stratford and Hayera District High Schools. Miss Turton has arrived and has taken charge of the classes in horticulture and orchard work. We have three keen classes at New Plymouth, viz., at Pitzroy, Central district, and VogeltownFrankleigh Park, also one each at Waitara. Inglewood and Stratford. Demonstrations and lessons in connection with these classes were taken by Mr. Johnson and myself until the arrival of Miss Turtoni and we found it advisable to continue this work during the term holidays. Farmers' Classes.—Tjectures and demonstrations were given at the following places:—By Mr. Johnson at Toko (25); Auroa (8); Matapu (1) and Cardiff (5). Tariki meeting by Mr. Sergei at Makctawa (II); Ihaia- road (4); Oaonui (3); Tariki (0) and Kaimata (3). Meetings lapsed at Lepperton (twice), Waitara road, Bird road, Kina road, and Durham road; by mvself at Stratford (16); Mahoe (2); Matapu (2); Mangatoki (2); N gae re (19); Bell Block (12); «nd at New Plymouth A. and P. Show an address was given on "Lucerne." A meeting at Okato lapsed. In addition to above Mr. Johnson gave orchardroork demonstrations or lessons at Fitzroy (27 present), Inglewood (3 times), Stratford (twice), while I handled Waitara, Vogeltown (twice), Central (four times), Fifcwoy arid Stratford (twice). Owing to hroken weather, and to the closing of dafiry-factories, attendance was erratic at farmers' classes. Improved systems of advertising meetings are being arranged in co-operation with headteachers of country schools. It is a pity that in several instances lectures or demonstrations arranged for the day-time fell through owing to lack at attendance. Fanners turning up to these recognise that day-work is much more effective than evening lectures. Improvements to school grounds.—A great deal of interest is being manifested in this work. By request, I have met the committees of Stanley, Central, Lepperton and Tataraimaka, and the main lines of future improvement were decided upon. Very great interest is being taken by the teachers and pupils of country schools in this iwork, and much propagation of cuttings, raising or transplanting of native trees, shrubs, roses, etc., is being done. As regards instruction of country schools, special attention is being given to the up-to-date cultivation of the potato. Preparations for the growing of lucerne are also heing made in many cases. It is hoped to have a demonstration plot of this valuable fodder crop at each school in the Board's district in the coming season. Visits were paid to the following schools:— Tariki, Midhirst, Toko, Kapum, Auroa, Oeo, Otnkeho, Fraser road, Rowan, Makaka, Riverlea, Amatuna, To Kirl, Mangaluune, Bird, Denbigh, Mokoia, Radnor, Pembroke, Ngaere, Eltham (Mr. Johnson) ; Lepperton, Inglewood, Waiongona, Oakura, Omata, Tataraimaka, Kfna, Opunake, Mangahume, Pihama, Warea, Pungarel'iu, Oaonui, Tarurutangi, Kaimiro (Mr. Sergei); Central (twice), Fitzroy, Waitara (twice), I-opperton, Bell Block, Central Infants, Matapu, Mangatoki, Mahoe, Stanley, Omata, Okato, Tataraimaka (Mr. Browne).

Board's gift of trees.—So far, schools have lavored either fruit trees or native shrubs in this connection. A great deal of planting is taking place or being arranged for. iFuture staffing—T consider it advisable for tl>9 Hoard to go into the question of selecting and training our most promising youths and young teachers for future instructional work in rural topics. The work of instruction is hecoming so specialised that it will he va( creasingly difficult to use the services of persons new to the district. Provision could easily be made ahead of our needs by granting the name "Assistant Agricultural Instructor" so soon as anyone proved himself competent to handle rural classes. A teacher need not give up his present position to be so recognised. , Swede crop at Fitzroy —I Tecommend that the BoftTd call tenders for this crop. Enquiries.have already heen made by farmers willing to purchase. The technical committee recommended that tenders be called for the sale of the turnip crop at Fitzroy, that the question of obtaining a new motor cycle for Mr. Johnson he deferred until the Department has decided nvhat will he done witli regard to the travelling woodwork classes; that the amount to he expended by the director on the purchase of fruit trees he limited to £ls. The report was adopted.