AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION

WORK IN TARANAKI SCHOOLS. • REPORT OF THE INSTRUCTOR. Reporting on’the work of agricultural instruction in primary schools Mr. D. Mac Kay, senior instructor in agri-: culture, reported to the Taranaki Edu-? cation. Board yesterday that up to the prfesent time, the school work had centred on settling down and in restoring grounds and gardens to their pristine orderliness. Where care had been taken of the grounds during the holidays, and that had' been the case in the increasing number of schools which cherished the environment their efforts had won, the work of restoration was a small matter and such schools reflect the vacation attentions. The instructors were drawing the attention of all schools to the advantage of having on the school files a definite plan, showing. Suggested improvements and amended from year to year. A smaller area around the school and separated from the general area was advocated as a reserved area for more concentrated attention to artistic layout. . In boys’ and girls’ club work, the interest now centred on the plots. Reports had come to hand that adverse weather, conditions and the progress of diseases among the roots had spoiled the excellence of the crops. Such unfortunate incidents, although somewhat disconcerting, were not without their value and if perseverance . -ivas encouraged by interested adults, much might yet be made of the crops. Only the minimum of equipment consonant with, efficient .working was beinfl issued to the schools.