Agricultural Education.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 14003, 11 September 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

Agricultural Education.

A XOUTH AI'CKLAX L) SCHOOL. •Journeying the week before last through the Northern Wairoa district, a correspondent of the Auckland Herald '' was agreeably amazed to discover between between Dargaville and Te Kopuru an experimental garden attached to the Aoroa Stat*' school. It is located conspicuously ill view of ail who travel by the main arterial road, and its neat appearance attracts attention. A request for permission to inspect the work being carried on was readily granted, in fact the. ground is always open tor farmers and others interested, to observe the latest modes oi treatment, and to satisfy themselves of the identities of grasses. This latter is of particular importance, for disputes constantly arise among the unearned as to the true characteristics of various plant growth, and in the Aoroa garden every class of such bears its correct name affixed to its plot. The grass sections contain lucerne, yellow oat. tall oat, sanfoin, kidney vetch, major, red top. Chewing's fescue, meadow rice, sheep burnei, florin, poa trivilis, meadow fescue, awnless broomc. red fescue, timothy, cocksfoot, poa pratensis, sheep fescue, sheep parsley. crested dogstail, annual rye, perrenial rye, foxtail, paspalum dilatuiu, phalaris comnititatn, and vnrious clovers. Graziers have paid particular attention to the plot of phalaris comniutata, and the headmaster (Mr H. J. S. Ellis) is constantly receiving requests for roots, in order that its properties may be tested on various soils throughout North Kaipara. An interesting feature is the' aptitude of the boys in the work, and, their, intelligent knowledge of the merits and peculiarities of each grass. -The men' adidt farmer stands ashast 'at the information juvenile Maoris and pakchas vouchsafe in answer to questions, for their brightness is evidence of the close knowledge of that which they quote, . and would bring sunshine into the hearts of all past-oral association officials; For it- must be understood that n. mere superficial knowledge of aught within -tii'e experimental arena is hot --tolerated. The pupils are made acquainted with each plant in all its stages of life, and from embryo to ■ fruit condition tliev critically investigate Nature's wonderful work. They are firstly instructed on ■the formation of seeds, and elementary botany is inculcated in many interesting ways. A gerihihaiting-box with glass sides demonstrates Jiow under treatment seeds spring into plant life, the daily growth is noted, and the transference from indoor life to open air existence lias a fasciuaton for the young gardeners. Fertilisation is thoroughly explained, also the action of chemical manures. When any sections of plants have matured, and brought forth their fruits, tlio whole of the lessons regarding them are reviewed, the yield is weighed, the cost of cultivation reckoned, the marketable value of the products arrived at, and the utility of the article explained. The laboratory contains all apparatus necessary for analysing rocks and soils, and properly classified are on view samples of the most important grass and forage seeds, chemical manures, etc. The . vegetable . section invites .scrutiny.. Each individual specimen is planted exiK?rtly and -every stage in its growth and - nourishment- is- described in detail, with the', result that the pupils are individually fascinated with their .work. The young Maoris betray the husbandry of their ancestors in a marked degree, and'are perhaps the most profiieent pupils. One garden experiment is worihy of narration. The headmaster selected Up-to-Dates for his potato lesson. These, the boys, under instruction, imbedded in sand. only 'thel".terminal point of each tuber being exposed, and from which the shoots naturally .sprang, as the rest of.-the potato Was protected from light. When certain of the shoots-were-six inches-long, the potatoes, were planted. In another plot, those with two-inch shoots" were laid down, and in an adjoining area, tubers with only buds showing- Were likewise planted. Each plot, was .subjected to the same care and treatment, but the results were surprising. Plot No. 1, with tlie long shoots, was dug and the yield oaten before .the second plot- was in flower, and the latter was harvested some weeks before the non-sprouters were fit to dig up. ; Moreover, the, long sprout lot yielded at the rate of 17 tons per iiere, the- medium sprouts slightly over 'l2 -tons; and "the budders" only 6 tons. Truly an important lesson. The various kinds of vegetables are handled in as equally an expert manner, and in the flower section a degree, of worshipful solicitude is manifested by the girls towards tho bearers of. their favourite blooms.. Everything connected with the. garden is modelled. by Mr Ellis, but the whole oX the incidental work, including carpenterv, is carried out by the juveniles. During the coming butter season Mr Ellis intends to secure two good dairy cows, to run them on the pasture .adjoining the school, and to impart to his student l ; detailed information in connection with the butter and cheese industries. Questioned as to whether the scholars sufTer in any way .'by a curtailment of other branches of learning, Mr Ellis asserts that such does liot obtain, and that the whole of the Nature study lessons ate, carried out without the ordinary syllabus being interfered with, and that in addition to affording a knowledge of the highest value, the garden lessons carry with them a pleasurable relaxation froiti the ordinary curriculum. Other schools in the district are moving in a- similar direction. At Dargaville. a horticultural competition is being held amongst the pupils. Tho ob-ject-lesson furnished by -Aoroa has impressed leading farmer.', who ardently favour the adoption of the. garden system at the many Wairoa schools.