250 Journal of Agriculture. [8 April, 1907 



11. Performed experiments with millets. Those in which the surface 

 was sitirred to a depth of 3 or 4 inches averaged 4 feet high, and those with 

 no surface-stirring averaged 2| feet. 



12. Experimented with fertilizers. Crops all responded to the addi- 

 tion of phosphates, but showed no improvement with potash. 



13. Cauliflowers and brocoli in July formed much larger heads when 

 cincturing was performed than in the case of those wdiere the operation was 

 not performed. Cincturing was done at the time the flower was just 

 forming. 



It is thought that by this linked instruction in nature-study, .school gar- 

 dening, and elementary lessons and experiments in agriculture very many 

 pupils of the primary school will be induced to- proceed to the Agricultural 

 High Schoo'l. There a great deal will depend, of co'urse, on the efficiency 

 of the teaching staff and the teaching: methods employed. The headmaster 

 ought to be in close touch with the Departmental and other agricultural 

 experts, and in correspondence with similar establishments in other coun- 

 tries. He O'Ug-ht to be allowed opportunity to see for himself what is being 

 done in other agricultural schools and colleges. 



In the exit examination, the value of the student's work will probably be 

 estimated from the headmaster^s report, the farm manager's report, and 

 the result of examination by an outside expert. 



The syllabus of the Agricultural High School is as follows: — 



Principles of Agriculture. 



The soil, its origin, elements and resources, its texture, moisture capa- 

 city, tillage and enrichment. Trees on the farm. 



Plant food of the soil and its relation to {a) Bacteria, {h) The higher 

 animals. 



Victorian soils. 



Cultivation of cereals, grasses, fodder plants and vegetables. 



Rotation of crops. Fertilizers. Drainage and improvement of soils. 



Irrigation. 



Feeding and general management of farm live-stock. Ensilage. 



First aid to animals. 



General principles of the valuation of — 



(^) Fertilizers. 



i^h) Milk and cream. 



(c) Farm crops. 



{(i) Animal products. 



Agricultural vScience. 



Each section includes laboratory practice. Special attention will be 

 paid to practical work. All scholars must keep laborato-ry note-books. 



I. PLANT-KNOW^LEDGE. 



Such an amount as is contained in an elementary work such as Gillies's 

 First Studies in Plant Life in Australasia, together with an outline of 

 the nutrition and respiration of plants ; an outline of the life-historv of 

 a moss, a mushroom and a fern. 



Structure of the higher plants, root, stem, leaf, fungus, flower, fruit. 



Physiology of plants, absorption, elaboration and utilization of plant 

 food. Reproduction. 



Cross-fertilization. Diseases of plants. Plants detrimental to Agri- 

 culturists. 



