AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1919, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

REPORT FOR YEAR 1918,. The director of agriculture (Mr R. A. Browne) reported as follows: "" ' The year 1918, so far as our instructional work was concerned, was one of many interruptions. Staff: Mr Howell, after a period of ill health, resigned early in the year. Mr Connell joined in May, and Mr Dean, as a junior assistant, also joined .the stall. I proceeded to camp in October, then, following on discharge, reported for work in mid-November, but found all schools closed on account of the influenza epidemic Mr Burley was the only' member of the stall' on duty throughout the whole school year .Instruction in Primary Schools.—Owing to interruption above referred to, many fewer visits were paid to primary schools than in past -years, and many schools in the country between Stratford and the Main Trunk could not be visited at all This was most unfortunate, as we always hold that the most important phase of instructional work, is that of the primary schools. Altogether, just over 200 such visits were paid during the year. In many schools there is a great improvement both in the scope and style of instruction, and in the keeping of records. It is pleasing to note the high standard of work in many of the schools in charge of women teachers. Among others, Huirangi, Bell Block, Opunake, Matapu and Stanley are worthy of special mention. Tisch and Cuthßert Shield.—These were won by Mahoe and Oaonui respectively. The experimental work at Oaonui School, winner of the Cuthbert Shield, was of very high order, and the arrangements re recording observations and results were indeed excellent, all work being done by groups of children in charge of a leader, and merely keenly supervised by the teacher Observational work was not confined to a particular day, but was continuous, anything worthy of record being at once noted down. In all schools here making a success of instruction, this is the method pursued. Winter Show exhibits at New Plymouth.—To any one interested in the development of rural instruction, a examination of the exhibits at this show gave a good idea of the scope of work undertaken successfully in the way of notebook plans of grounds, seed and weed collections, records of yields of herds, experimental growing of various crops, root selection and judging, etc. Altogether, this was a very complete and worthy exhibit. Secondary School Work.—Mr Connell finally took charge of the work at New High School on two days per week. Good work was done in the way of cropping, in both gardens and farm practice, although the latter was comparatively limited, owing to shortage of suitable tools. Top-dressing of pastures and of lucerne was carried out with excellent effect, and the propagation of pure strains of grasses, especially Italian rye grasses, was keenly taken up. Special attention was also given to the commercial growing of the potato. Shearing was also taken up, at least a good beginning being made. At Stratford Mr Burley was fully occupied for three days, and was available on a fourth for field work at the Stratford Model Farm and elsewhere. The extremely wet season here, as in other centres, greatly interfered with outside work, and this was more regrettable in view of the facilities provided at the Model Farm Herd-testing was continued, and lessons were given in grafting by the local nurseryman. There was a gratifying increase in the number of pupils taking the agricultural course at this centre, and also in the numbers taking agriculture as a science only. This is entirely due to the very great interest taken in the progress of the work by the headmaster, Mr Tyrer At the Technical College at New Plymouth there was little support for this subject, and although the Hawera classes began fairly well, there was the sharp falling off, usual in these classes during the last term Unfortunately, owing to staff shortages, only temporary arrangements could be made re the carrying out or tlie more practical work. The proposed experimental area at Hawera —to be worked in conjunction with the agricultural department, will fill a long-felt want. That department will be entirely responsible, as at Stratford, for all the more expert and , routine work, oui pupils doing work in season, and at all times observing and records ing developments and results. Having carefully considered the, causes of past failures here and elsewhere, Mr Deem and l are in entire agreement as to how these areas should be worked from the point of view of instruction to children The schools cannot in themselves supply labor for the continuous work, and this is quite impossible during the most important time of the year from the farming point of view, viz., December to February. Again, suitable tools are usually not available, and horses are difficult to obtain as required, owing to the general rush of seasonal work. Farmers' Classes —All work in this connection was thrown on my own shoulders, as qualified assistants for this class of work were not availale. On this account, and again on account of my early entry into camp, several centres had to be cut out of this instruction. Bad eather, too, greatly interfered with it. Nevertheless, from the majority of centres, very pleasing references both verbal and written, were made as to the advantages of such instruction. This is mentioned, merely because there has been a considerable amount of criticism levelled at this work, but, practically always, from those' who seldom if ever attended a meeting.