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1889. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF NATIONAL EDUCATION IN IRELAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

I. Outline (by the Secbetaky for Education, Wellington). 1. In the ordinary national schools in rural districts (that is, except in large towns) " agriculture " is an obligatory subject for boys of Fourth and higher classes, and an optional subject for girls. The work prescribed is as follows : — Foueth Class. —To answer intelligently on the subject of crops, as treated in the " Introduction to Practical Farming." Fifth Class —Ist Stage.—ln addition to the course prescribed for Fourth Class, to answer intelligently on cottage gardening, as treated in the " Introduction to Practical Farming." Fifth Class—2nd Stage.—ln addition to the course prescribed for Fifth Class, Ist Stage, to answer intelligently on Part 11. of " Introduction to Practical Farming." Sixth Class —Ist Examination.—ln addition to the course prescribed for Class V., to answer intelligently on the soils, manure, and drainage. Subsequent Examination—To answer intelligently on the " Introduction to Practical Farming." For each of the five examinations specified in the foregoing paragraphs a teacher receives a grant for each pupil that passes—4s. for the Fourth Class examination, and ss. for each of the other examinations. The number of children examined on this programme in 1887 was 78,036 ; of whom 47,334 passed. 2. In 1887 there were 54 national schools having school farms, and 29 with school gardens attached. Such schools are called agricultural national schools. In connection with these schools there is an examination in the practical part of agriculture. The number of pupils examined in school farms in 1887 was 863, of whom 613 passed. In school gardens 507 were examined, and 390 passed. In such schools, in addition to the grants for passes in the examinations specified above, grants are made according to the scale set forth in Sections XV. and XVI. of the Appendix to Eegulations. These sections are as follows: — XV. —1887-88. —Rules for Payment of Teachees of Agricultural Schools under Local Management. Section I. — Scale of Payment for Proficiency of Pupils in Agricultural Knowledge derived from the " Introduction to Practical Farming," &c. Foueth Class. —To answer intelligently on the subject of crops as treated in the work, " Introduction to £ s. d. Practical Farming" .. .. .. .. .. .. ..040 Fifth' Class —l'st Stage.—ln addition to the course prescribed for Fourth Class, to answer intelligently on cottage gardening as treated in the " Introduction to Practical Farming ".. .. .. 0 5 0 Fifth Class —2nd Stage.—ln addition to the course prescribed for Fifth Class, First Stage, to answer intelligently on Part 11. of " Introduction to Practical Farming " .. .. .. .. 0 5 0 Sixth Class—lst Examination. —In addition to the course prescribed for Class s*-, to answer intelligently on soils and manures and drainage .. .. .. .. .. ..050 Sixth Class—Subsequent Examination. —To answer intelligently on the " Introduction to Practical Farming" .. .. .. ■■ •• .. .. .. ..050 Section ll. — Scale of Payment for Practical Proficiency of Pupils, as tested on the School Farm and Garden. A teacher newly appointed to conduct a national school with an Agricultural Department must possess a certificate that he attended a course of agricultural instruction at the Albert -Institution, or a certificate of competency from some other authority satisfactory to the Commissioners of National Education. Scale of Payment for Practical Proficiency, as tested on the School Farm and Garden. Foueth Class. —For a pass in a knowledge of the crops grown on the farm and of the modes of raising £s. d. and saving them .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..030 Fifth Class —Ist Stage.—For a fair knowledge of the points of good animals, and of the modes of feeding and managing those on the school farm .. .. .. .. .. ..036 Fifth Class —2nd Stage.—For superior proficiency in same and in a knowledge of the crops raised in garden .. • • •• .• •• •• •• •• ..036 Sixth Class —Ist Examination. —For proficiency in a knowledge of the use of improved implements and machines .. .. •• •• .. •• •• •• ..050 Sixth Class—2nd Examination.—For superior proficiency in same .. .. .. ..050

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