Vol. IV. No. 96. 



THK AGRICULTURAL NEWS. 



397 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AT ANTIGUA. 



The following niemoraiidum on agricultural educa- 

 tion at Antigua has been prepared by Mr. A. H. Kirby, 

 B.A., Agi'icultural and Science Master. It serves to 

 indicate what is being dons in this connexion in 

 Antigua : — 



The scope of the work may be defined from two .stand- 

 points : that in which its general educational value is 

 ■considered, and that in which its worth as a preparation for 

 those who intend to follow agricultural pursuits is held in 

 mind. Of these, the latter will be dealt with first, as it is 

 the more important and direct object of the work, the other 

 {as it has been found) being a necessary and useful concomi- 

 tant of it. 



At the Grammar School, by lessons in agricultural 

 ■science in which the chemistry, physics, and botany, which are 

 requisite for the understanding of the physiological processes 

 in the plant kingdom are included, and by pi'actical work in 

 the school garden, a class of pupil is being produced who can, 

 on leaving school, carry on agricultural work with a regard 

 for scientific method, who is equipped with sufficient 

 knowledge to follow intelligently the literature bearing more 

 directly on his interests, and who is perforce, from his very 

 training, averse to mere empirical methods and amenable to 

 scientific reasoning. It is evident that the introduction of 

 agricultural reforms among persons of this kind will be a far 

 more speedy matter than it is among those who have not had 

 the same advantages. In this connexion it may be mentioned 

 that at the present time .seventy-two boys are in receipt of 

 .scientific instruction. Of these, tliree take chemistry alone, 

 twenty-seven chemistry and physics, fifteen chemistry and 

 agricultural botany, twelve chemistry, physics, and agri- 

 cultural botany, while fifteen of the youngest are going 

 through a preiiaratory course. 



While the work has been carried on as described above 

 among those already receiving a good secondary education 

 who may wish to specialize in the direction of agriculture, 

 regard has also been had to the interests of the pupils in the 

 elementary schools. Circumstances demand that these should 

 be influenced more indirectly, and it is of course proper that 

 they should be reached through their own teachers. With 

 this object, courses of lectures on the elements of plant physi- 

 ology and on troiiical hygiene have been given to the teachers 

 of the elementary schools in the island, and to the students 

 of the Female Training College. By means of .such lectures 

 assistance has been given to those attending them in the 

 preparation of object-le.ssons suitable for their pupils, 

 improved methods of teaching have been introduced, and the 

 idea has been kept before them that mere learning by rote 

 should be superseded by methods in which the sustained 

 interest of the pupil leads to the acquirement of knowledge 

 by him. The importance of the work in the school garden, 

 •or that carried on by means of boxes and pots, is insisted 

 upon, as providing a means of demonstrating pi'actically the 

 principles taught in class and not as being intended for 

 the purpose of merely showing how to grow a few different 



■crops. The necessity of such teaching to the youth of 

 an agricultural country is too evident to require remark. 

 The total number of those who, at the present time, are 

 taking up these courses is forty, of whom twenty-seven 

 are actively employed in elementary schools, and thirteen 

 attend the Female Training College. 



The other view, that of the purely educational value 



■of such work, may now be considered shortly. Seventeen 

 pupils from the Girls' High School attended lessons in botany, 



■and these, of course, can only be regarded in that aspect. 



At the Grammar School every boy takes up at least one 

 science subject — chemistrj'. It is the opinion of those 

 who have the care of the general subjects of the curriculum 

 of the .school that improvement in tliem has resulted from 

 the introduction of science subjects, while at the same 

 time a better tone prevails generally in regard to the modes 

 of thought and expression. The last statement is also true 

 of the teachers in the elementary schools, as is evidenced by 

 the much more intelligent way in which notes of lectures are 

 made, and by the reasonable .spirit of inquiry which exists 

 among them. It is much less easy, as far as their pupils are 

 concerned, especially for those who do not come directly into 

 contact with them, to gauge the effect of the work in this 

 direction. It is fully evident, however, that it must be one 

 of imparting the knowledge of the laws of health, and of 

 instilling the idea that the pursuit of agriculture, especially 

 in a country who.se inhabitants depend upon it for their very 

 existence, dignifies, and does not debase, those who take part 

 in it. 



CANADIAN EXHIBITIONS, 1906. 



The following is a copy of a letter from Messrs. 

 Pickford & Black to the Imperial Commissioner of 

 Agriculture for the West Indies, dated Halifax, N.S., 

 November 1, 1905 : — 



In addition to the annual fair held in Toronto, it is 

 intended during 1906 to hold a Dominion Exhibition at 

 Halifax ; this latter is very largely assisted by the Dominion 

 Government and is patronized by manufacturers and others 

 throughout the whole Dominion. This year it was held at 

 Vancouver and ^vas a great success, being an attraction 

 which drew people from all over the Dominion as well a.s 

 from the United States. As far as the Toronto Show is 

 concerned it is always very largely attended, on some days as 

 many as 90,000 to 100,000 people passing the gates. The 

 dates at Toronto and Halifax have been arranged so that the 

 former Exhibition will be closed in ample time to enable 

 the exhibits to be removed to, and shown at, the Dominion 

 Fair at Halifax, N.S. 



It has occurred to us that these exhibitions would 

 form the very best means of placing the products and 

 resources of the West Indies before the Canadian public, and 

 with this end in view we are prepared to assist in every 

 possible way. We would offer to carry all exhibits from the 

 West Indies to Toronto, and thence to Halifax, free of charge. 

 We will also arrange for the necessary space and the proper 

 showing of the same. Exhibitors would thus only have to 

 provide their exhibits and pay cost of erecting booths. 



It would only be necessary to send bona fide samples 

 of goods produced in the West Indies (not ladies' fancy work), 

 but articles which would lead to the development of trade 

 between the two countries. 



We do not know your feelings in regard to the success 

 of the previous exhibits, but it is our opinion that nothing 

 has ever before been done which has so effectually brought 

 the resources of the West Indies before the people of Canada. 

 It is to be regretted that the exhibits stored on our premises 

 after the exhibitions of 1904: were totally destroyed in the 

 fire, as they would have formed the nucleus of a good .show. 



We would be pleased to hear from you as early as 

 possible in regard to the above so that we can arrange space 

 at both Toronto and Halifax and issue the necessary instruc- 

 tions regarding transportation. 



The shows will be held in August and September, 

 definite dates to be advised later. 



