ToL. 1. No. 8. 



THE AGHICULTUR.VL NEWS. 



123 



EDUCATIONAL 



Jamaica. 



LECTCUES TO TE.VrilElis' A.SSOCI.^TIONS. 



The following extract i.s taken from the Rejxjrt of 

 ]\rr. W. R. Biitteiishaw, IM.A.. B.Se., the Leeturer in 

 Agriculture, Jamaica, to the Board of Agriculture: — 



During February ami Marcli I visited the following 

 l)laees and addressed the teachers : Montego Bay, Point Hill, 

 Linstead, Frankficld, Highgate and Mizpah (N. Manchester). 

 In no case did the teachers fail to turn out in good numbers 

 and show consideral)le interest in the lectures, the audiences 

 at Linstead and ]\Iiz]iah being particularly large. From the 

 <]Uestions and discussidus at the close of the lectures it was 

 very evident that the teachers desired to get all the possible 

 assistance in introducing Nature Study into their schools. 

 It was encouraging to tind that a large nundjcr of them, 

 esiiecially jierhaps in the Linstead districts, were starting 

 .school gardens. One told me that the profits upon the 

 workings for the first year had been suthcient to enable him 

 to purchase a complete equipment of tools for the pupils. It 

 .seemed to me that the men who have left the Mico during 

 the last two or three years were jiarticularly iirominent in 

 this practical work. At Franktield and Miziiah there was 

 also a good attendance of school managers. At the latter 

 meeting a short address was given by Colonel Hicks. 



Barbados. 



PRIZES FOR PLANTS CROWN BY CHILDREN ATTLNDING 

 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. 



In order to encourage the cultivation of plants grown 

 by children attending elementary schools, the Education 

 Board at Barbados has issued a list of prizes to be offered 

 by the Imperial Department of Agriculture at the next Local 

 Exhibition to be held at Todds' Plantation, on January 13, 

 190.3. Before any jn-ize is awarded, it is necessary that a 

 certificate be jaesented from the supervising Minister, or 

 members of the School Committee or the Sclmolmaster 

 of the school, at which the child attends, certifying 

 that, from his personal knowledge, the exhibit was entirely 

 j>lanted and cared for by the exhibitor. There are fifty 

 jirizes offered, varying in value fri)m two dollars to twenty- 

 five cents each. 



In order to assist the children in growing plants of a 

 useful character, small packets of vegetable sce<ls w^ill be 

 forwarded for distribution in each school. The plants may 

 be .shown in small barrels, tubs, pots, or boxes. 



British Guiana. 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR STIDIOUS TEACHERS. 



The following extract i.s taken from a report of 

 the proceedings of the meeting of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture of British (iiiiaiia, of Tuesday the cSth instant : — 



The Secretary laid on the table certain cojiies of the 

 Af/n'ciiltural A>«'s, and a report on the Botanic Station and 

 Agricultural School at Dominica. 



Professor Harrison, referring to the Ajticulrmal Xacs, 

 moved the following resolution : - 



Be it rexotaed, — That to mark this Board's appreciation 

 of the manner in which those teachers who were placed in 

 honours and in the first-class at the recent examination in 

 the elements of agricultural science, and who are now attend- 

 ing the Board's demonstration classes have utilized the 



opliortunities for study offered to them, and to assist them in 

 the continuance of such studies, the Board recommends that 

 each teacher be supplied with copies of the Agricidtitral 

 Xewg i.ssued during the Financial year lOOi-.'!. 



' It is considen^d,' he said, ' that for tho.se schoolmasters 

 who have done their utmost it will be an encouragement, and 

 of very great assistance to them to knew exactly what is 

 taking i)lace in the West ludie.s, and also enable them to get 

 certain information in regard to work elsewhere. They will 

 probably talk over it with their friends and lend them their 

 copies, and in this way we think that a good deal of informa- 

 tion may be disseminated.' 



!Mr. .lones seconded, and the motion w;is carried. 



'The Natural History of Plants.' Messi-s. 



Blackie ami Sons announce the re-issue of the translation, 

 by Professor F. W. Oliver and other.s, of Kerner's Natural 

 History of Plants, in sixteen monthly parts, at I.<. 6</. each 

 net. The English edition of the work originally apjieared 

 in sixteen jiarts at 2s. 6*/. each. This fascinati]ig book, which 

 is profusely illustrated, can be cordially recommended to all 

 lovers of plant life. It treats of plants as living things, 

 full of ingenious devices to overcome the difficulties of 

 their surroundin<;s. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Antigua. 

 Mr. W. N. Sands, the Hon. Secretary, has for- 

 warded an account of the usual monthly meeting of 

 the Society, held on the 4th ultimo, from which the 

 following items of interest are reproduced: — 



The Agricultural Show for the current year was proposed 

 to be held in December next. 



VANILLA IN ANTKiUA. 



!Mr. Sands briefly outlined the methods of propagating 

 and growing ^'anilla, illustrating his remarks by .specimens. 

 He advocated the use of Physic luit (Jatroiiha Cmcas:) as the 

 best supjiort for the vines, and pointed out that vanilla can 

 be grown readily in parts of Antigua, and thrives in St. 

 John's. Green pods, 71 inches long, gathered from a vine 

 growing in a garden at St. John's were e.xhibited. A limited 

 number of young i)lants were available at the Botanic 

 Station where further imfonnatiou concerning vanilla culti- 

 vation could be obtained. 



Mr. Watts exjiressed the opinion that there was a 

 considerable area available for vanilla cultivation within the 

 town of St. John's it.self ; that the shelter attbrded !>y the 

 houses, and the somewhat damp atmo.sphere of the town 

 were favourable, and that a minor industry was thus Ijrought 

 within the reach of all classes of residents in the town. 



ARBOR DAY. 



The question of establishing an Arbor Day, already 

 discussed in the Agiicidtaral Xeios ([ip. 49 and 55), was 

 brought forward by Mr. Watts, and it tt-a.s agreed that, for 

 this }'ear at least, November 9, the King's birthday shcnikl 

 be observed as an Arlior Day throughout the island, and that 

 the Agricultural Society an<l other bodies iu Antigua, as 

 well as masters, mistresses and managers of schools of all 

 grades should be invited to give their cordial su[iiiort to the 

 .scheme. It had l)een the intention to include tree jilanting 

 in the Coronation festivities on June 20, last, but ths 

 suggestion was not brought forward in time to allow of the 

 organization of proper schemes. 



