AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1917, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION

THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr, K. A. Browne, agricultural director, reported as follows at yesterday's meeting of the Education Board: Primary schools visited.—Fitzrov, Lcpperton, Bird, Kaimatn, Tarata, Pukeho. Purangi, Urenui, Okato, Warea, Oaontii, Inglewood. Ta]taraimaUa, Tututawa, Ratapiko, Eltharn, Matapu, pkaiawa, ftaponga, Kapimi, Cardiff, Pembroke (2), Finnerty, Wningangoro, Stanley, Midhirst, Bird, Toko, Huiroa, Tataraimaka, Punilio, Tarurutangi, and in addition Standards V. and VI., ,Stratford, have been regularly instructed. As regards nature study work, Central and Central infants, also West End schools wer<) visited by Mr. Sergei and short lessons taken. Such work will be extended as opportunity offers. D.H.S. classes at Hawera (agriculture only) and Stratford rural continue. —The work at Hawera has Ceen interrupted owing to change of instructor? Alterations have had to be made in me handling of classes at Stratford, but) the new arrangements are now working smoothly. Technical College Work.—lnstruction has been continued at both New Plymouth (4) and Hawera (4). Broken weather and the impossibility of getting horses at the 'busiest time of the farmers' year, have upset our arrangements a little, but lost time will shortly be made up by taking a continuous week's instruction at Corbett road, combining the classes for this purpose and putting through the necessary ploughing, discing, rolling, etc., in preparation for November sowings.

Farmers' Classes.—These will shortly conclude for the year as farmers are extremely busy now and until after the new year, lectures or demonstrations were given at: Okato, 'Bird, Pukeho, Kaimata, Waitoitoi, Rahotu, Waitui. Oaonui, Tututa wa, Bell Block, Patua, Warea, Auroa, Makctawa, Normanby, Manga - toki, Cardiff, Pungarehu, Warea. The majority of meetings are now being held in the evenings, owing to the busy season.

Stratford Experimental Area.—The arrangements suggested as regards this, I understand shall be dealt with by the chairman in a special report. I need only refer to the splendid spirit of help shown by all we have met in this connection, and to their interest in the increased efficiency of agricultural instruction. Some similar arrangement should be attempted at Hawera in connection with future development there. Circular to Schools Taking Agricultural Work. —After a short address to teachers attending the last Institute meeting. it was suggested that a circular should he sent to all schools embodying suggestions made re garden operations, etc., in the immediate future. Such a circular, sent out say three times in the year, would be welcomed by the teachers, and of great assistance in the work of instruction.

Gift of Spring Flowering Bulbs.—Arrangements are being made whereby tha Whiteley Bulb Show officials will donate set of bulbs grown by Mr. Gibson, of Frankley road, to schools in and around Vetv 'Plymouth, provided that the pupil* arc willing to follow directions as given re cultivation, and also willing to exhibit at the show. This and similar suggestions I should like to see taken up in other centres, as from such co-operation much good mast result.