AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1751, 27 September 1905, Page 50

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

This is a subject dealt with by the Government Biologist in his annual report to the Minister of Agriculture. Mr Kirk says:— JS This colony exports colonial products and manufactures to the value of ••• 15,381,330 To this amount agricultural and pastoral pursuits contnbute ... ••• ... ••• ••• 1 2i,lU#,oo^ Manufactured leather and woollen goods add ... ... 74*,425 Thus the total value of exported products derived from agricultural and pastoral pur- _ suits is ... ••• ••• ••• 12,183,757 Leaving to be made up by all other producing industries —i.e. - mines, fisheries, forests, _ and other manufactures and miscellaneous ••• ••• ••• ••• 3,197,573 Of this amount mines contribute 2,272,954 If then, agriculture contributes £12,000,000 out of a total export of £15,000,000, surely it is reasonable to suggest that a very large amount

should be spent on educating our future agriculturists. This agricultural education should undoubtedly begin in the primary schools of rural districts.. At present the prizes in the teaching profession go to the towns. The system now in force actually discourages teachers who are disposed to take up the teaching of elementary agriculture. Canada has, however, shown that when circumstances allow it is very desirable to amalgar mate a number of the smaEer country schools and form a really good school in a more central position, arranging for the free conveyance of children either by train or waggon. This has resulted in more effective teaching of ordinary subjects, and has aEowed of great strides being made in the teaching of agriculture in country schools, while at the same time improving the position of teachers and lessening the expenditure. Of course, it is not always easy to carry out this programme, but where possible it should be done. For several years past I have given an account of the work done at the