IMPORTANT PHASE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 18, 1 November 1938, Page 8

IMPORTANT PHASE

IN PRIMARY EDUCATION. AGRICULTURAL CLUB MOVEMENT FOR, BOYS AND GIRLS. With the abolition of the proficiency certificate and the consequent widening of the primary schools’ syllabus. Club movements have more and more come into prominence as teaching aids of great cultural and practical value. Outstanding among these movements is that of the girls’ and boys’ agricultural dubs, which receives the official support of, and financial backing from the Education Department, and which lias, indeed, been in operation in various parts of New Zealand for several years.

In Canterbury, however, the movement is still comparatively young, but, under the vigorous guidance of the Education Board’s Agricultural Instructors. coupled with the enthusiasm of the teachers in the schools, it is rrfpidly assuming an important place in school life, states a leader of the movement. The general practice is for several schools to band together in a group round a central school, and in Ashburton County there are at least three such groups in existence, centred respectively at Mayfield, Eiffelton, and Allenton. An executive, consisting of teachers and other interested persons, decides the projects to be undertakn during the season, lays down certain rules to be followed, and makes the necessary arrangements for supervision and judging.

The Ashburton Projects. In the Ashburton group, which draws its members from Allenton, Ashburton Porough, Lagmlior, Chertsey and* Fairton Schools, the projects being undertaken bv tlie members during the current season are poultry, lamb and calfrearing, and home garden plots where vegetables or flowers of not more than four varieties, are being grown. Poultry-club members assume the responsibility of hatching (using a broody hen), and rearing, a clutch of chickens; the duty of lamb and calf-club members is to rear and handle their subject From within a week of hirtli until the judging in December. September-born motherless lambs, either ewe or wether, are chosen, while conditions for the c alves state* that they must be heifers born after July 1. As it. is intended that the heifers should ultimately reach the show-ring, handling and training to lead are most important aspects of the work. Pride in Home Gardens. In the home gardens section, the pupils take charge of their plots from the completion of the preliminary digging and show great pride in the presentation of a well-dressed plot, on the arrival of the judges. A choice of early or late crops, allows for December ur February judging as best suits the individual competitor. In all projects, note-hook records are kept by the cni rants.

Interest would quickly wane* without supervisory visitations, and, to this end, strong local committees have been set up for each school.

Outside bodies have been appealed to for their co-operation, with the result ilia! on each committee interested members of the Women’s Institute, the Ashbufton Agricultural and Pastoral ASMieiation. or tin* Advance Ashburton Association have boon appointed to work with a school committee represenlaltve and the* teacher, in a supervisory and advisory capacity. In addition. the itinerant agricultural instructor also pays visits. The fact that adult bodies are showing a practical interest in these children's undertakings, should prove a

wonderful stimulus to their keenness in the work and should lead to results of inestimable value in years to come.

It must he understood that this movement is in no way connected with the Young Farmers’ Club organisation, which is controlled by the Department of Agriculture and which draws its members from the post-primary schools and elsewhere. At the same time, it is extremely likely that from the present members of the Primary Schools’ Agricultural Clubs will be drawn many of the future members of these Young Farmers (Hubs. Mon* than ever is there need for a “hack-to-the-land” movement, which can he successfully fostered only if encouraged earlv enough in the lives of the individuals who must take their rightful place as flu* backbone of this .fair laud. To this end. may such primary and post-primary organisations flourish!

Salt for Animals, Salt is a necessary part of all the juices of the body, including the blood, if aids digestion by dissolving proteins. assists in their passage through the stomach and intestines, and mcrea e os the digesfahility of food generally. When consumed in excess it has a relaxing effect. The daily quantities of salt necessary for different animals are: Cows, loz; horses, %07. ; sheep and pigs, about joz.