AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1919, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION

REPORT FOR FEBRUARY. The director of agricultural elucation reported: Good work has been done during this month, more especially in the way of visits to primary schools, a total of 05 visits being made. These are well distributed over the southern, northern and Ohura districts.

ft will he noticed, by individual reports, that in a very huge number of schools excellent work is being done, and the standard set is not a low one. The board can rest assured that in primary school work we have now a group oi schools second to none in the Dominion. Those of outstanding merit visited during the month in the northern district are: Opunake, Oaonui, Bell Block, Waihi, Hnirangi and Norfolk, while Oarrington Road and Omata are making rapid progress. As was to be expected, the recent epidemic greatly retarded the work in many schools, and it shows the keen interest taken by teachers and pupils alike when such a recovery has taken place as regards the appearance of the garden and grounds. The collection of seed of pasture plants, especially cocksfoot, was again taken up with vigor. This work appeals to the children, and should be taken up keenly each year, on account of its economic as well as educational value.

Judging of Dairy Cows.—lnstruction in this branch continues, and the various shows should have good entries accordingly. Staff—Mr. Burlev is now stationed entirely at Stratford. Mr. Johnson visits Hawera Technical College on two days each weak, leaving three days for primary schools, adult classes, etc. Mr. Connefl cuts in two days with New Plymouth High School and Technical College lads, and this leaves three days for primary school work. Mr. Syme reported for duty first week in 'February, and at orssent assists Mr. Connell with second*vv classes at New Plymouth, also one dav with Mr. Burley at Stratford. So far he has spent a good deal of time with Mr. Connell, getting familiar with rm'marv school work. He 19 making rapid progress in his new duties, being a !"*eji worker. Mr. JohTsxir- has visited a large number of primary schools, petting in touch with the work in hand, and setting out future developments- He , also gave a lesson to In™lcwood orchard class on "summer vTvnmtr." and spent two d*rs at the Stratford Model Farm. Mr, Horle'" h very full? occupied at PW+.fo'H. with instruction !n science subject* It v* hoped that weather condition? will this season allow of more work Wing dona at the Model farm. As shown in WIS annual report, on no less than eiulit consecutive weeksj had weather precluded outdoor work of t-M« nature on the set day. This is one <-<f several reasons why the education authorities should not attempt to run "Tiyrimontal areas when dependent on j schoolboy labor only. j

Mt. Connell reports re the Hieh School and Technical College classes: It is gratifying to note that the number of punils receiving aerieulturfll instruction fit the New PT-rmou+.h Bovs' Kisrh School has been materially increased this vear. and this, with the greater facilities given for indoor instruction, should pave the wpv for a successful year's work. The collection of gra«?es and clovers, the cleaning Mid cultivation of crops, the digging, sorting and electing of potatoes, and the judging of dairv cows ha.s comprised most of the outdoor work, while dairv science, agricultural cbemistrv, and hotany. together with general agriculture, has been taken in the clase rooms. Mr. Syme has taken most of the work with the preparatory school classes, and is assisting with the upper classes as woll.

The Technical College boys have spent most of their time in field work. vl° u ? n " in?, harrowing and cultvating a plot. Although this ifl their first attempt at handling implements, they are making good progress, and appear to be highly interested in the work. They have also assisted in handling the potato crops at the Central and High Schools, and in the collection of grasses and clovers. Having received instruction in cowjudging they have also taken part in the show competition. Special lessons have also been given in soil-cultivation methods, potato selection for seed, pasture treatment, etc. Mr Connell reported: Tt gives me great pleasure to draw attention to the very excellent work being done in several of the schools I have visited since the heginning of the year. In particular the garden display at Waihi (Mrs. Bead, head teacher) is worthy of special mention. Here an effort has been made, and so far it lias been successful, of growing; a complete assortment of garden vegetables. Early and thorough cultivation of the soil was necessary, manuring, etc., was attended to, the correct sowing of the various seeds was carried out, and the subsequent spacing and thinning out processes have resulted in an excellent garden plot. Samples of the variout roots, etc., are to be kept for show exhibits, and selection will be made for seed-saving purposes. Already the seeds of various plants have been collected, cleaned, etc., and quantities are available for distribution to other scliools. The lucerne plot has been entirely successful, and as complete records have been kept, and the various cuts weighed, some useful information should be obtainable. The grass and clover plots for demonstration purposes have added considerably to the appearance of the grounds) while the utilitarian aspect has not been neglected, in that the best grasses and , clovers will be saved for seed. The plant propagation area has also been successful, and. some good ledge plants will be available for distribution. Last;-winter several selected roots were selected for seed purposes, and heavy returns may be expeoted. But it is impossible in a snort summary to enumerate all the features, so I would suggest that to anyone keen' 6tv seeing what our primary schools are doing In agriculture and its allied siibjects;- l a visit to thU and other representative schools would prove eminently beneficial. 1 might also mention that the "Waihi School intends to be strongly represented at the New Plymouth Winter Show, when, I am sure, it will obtain a fair measure of success. AH the operations at the Waihi School are based on the director's r.chemes of work and general suggestions, and thir fact should be an incentive end encouragement to i'ti* other schools that have been asked to work to similar schemes. Bell Block (Miss Mcaion) --The se'iool prniind-j at Bell Block bear evidence of intelligent and painstaking l management, while the condition of the ornamental shrubs and flower gardens denotes a Try* of the henntiful and n,ii understanding of the oiiild mind. For it must be w:<w-ni'-cd that under such conditions as exist ar *he TWI Blodc School noturr wnrtv and agriculture are being taught \mder

almost ideal conditions. In the ornamental area some tine shrubs are to be found, and as many of them are natives a proper appreciation of our native flora may be obtained. As at Waihi, a complete vegetable garden is in evidence, and as all the important operations are noted and tabulated, gome useful information is at the disposal of the teacher and children. The lucerne plot demonstrates the many advantages of lucerne as a fodder plant. Already several cuts have been made, and the healthy condition of the plants bears testimony to the correct treatment given. Anyone in the neighborhood who intends establishing a_ lucerne plot would be well advised to visit the school and obtain information as to the methods adopted there. Several variety root crop trials are also under way, and the results of these should prove interesting. The theoretical work at this school is of a very high standard, and there is distinct evidence to show that practice and thcorv are correlated Huirangi (late Miss Mead).—The Education Board lost one of its most promising teachers of agriculture when Miss Mead died during the late influenza epidemic. I visited the school during this month, and, as I anticipated, found the garden plots in excellent order. During tbe holidays the weeds made able headway, hut the now teacher (Miss Mackie) had made a good start in the clea ling operations , When it is remansbered that at the beginning of last war the garden plots consisted of but a "few square yards, the extent of the progre« may be reaped. With the -help "of an energetic committee, more land wa* ploughed and worked up, fences* were erected.-dijid a business-like appearance resulted.,. At the end of last year the following were of .special notice:' Lucerne plot, .selected roots for seed purposes pqtatp variety trials, seed (grass) collection, vegetable crop, propagation area, flower,garden, note books, diaries etc Oaonui. (Mr. Evettsl_Tc my .mind .agricultural instruction - has reached a rerv high standard at this school. The note-boolc» and diaries, whiah provide a good index of .the work done in any "chool, are well written up, and the arrangement is highly commendable. As is the case in other schools Ibave report-d on, the outdoor experimental and demonstration work is excellent Variety tests in carrots are well advanced, manurial experiments are under wnv, grass and clover plots are established, while hoe seem and lucerne are doing well. In df?. dition, a small orchard has been planted providing scope for priming and spraving. Hood work i« hein? done in the propagation area, and many plants will hj! available for distribution to other schools. Tie sTounds and hedges, etc., ■ire in p-ond erder. with the result that •i most nk-asing appearance is obtained. Mr. 'Pvol-ts is to be cnnfratnlafed on ih« ■•■ > :i! , t'i he Ims achieved