lo Aug., 1909.] Agriculture ill t//c State Schools. 



537 



That most important part — the domestic side — is not neglecied, and 

 where practicable, lessons on the methods of preserving the products in 

 the form of jams, jellies, pickles, sauces, &c., are g'.ven the girls ac con- 

 venient times, either by the teacher or outside expert. 



The teachers ha\e been enthusiastic, and have made the most of their 

 knowledge and the information awiilable. The various District Teachers' 

 Associations now mvariably discuss Agi-iculture and the forthcoming Royal 

 Show at their meetings. ' As indicated by the photographs, an enormous 

 amount of work has been done, and very satisfactory headway made. The 

 syllabus of work provided by Mr. J. P. McLennan, Supervisor of Agri- 

 culture, has been closelv studied, and each child and teacher provided with 

 a text-book (Kirk or Bailey), which is read and discussed both in school 

 and at home. Much, in addition, has been learnt from the experienced 

 farmers of the district, who look upon the work with a very friendly eye. 



THE FORGE CREEK SCHOOL GARDEN. 



No subject in the curriculum is viewed with greater interest than agri- 

 culture. This is only reasonable. Agriculture is the natural corollary 

 to Nature Study, and gives a striking finalitv to its teaching. Moreover,, 

 the pupil comes to school with a, more or less, rough and read\ acquaint- 

 ance with the subject, and is quick to see in it a means of gaining a future 

 livelihood, and improving his father's farm. He finds, too, on the part of 

 his parent, a sudden willingness to discuss with him the agricultural work 

 done in school and the progress made by the different plots. 



A most gratifying feature, however, in connexion with the introduc- 

 tion of agriculture into the State schools of this district is the sympathy 

 and co-operation shown by the parents and general public in the work. 

 The required plots are invariablv given bv the parents. At Orbost (Snowy 

 River), the Head Teacher, Mr. N. F. Spielvogel, had six quarter-acre plots 

 Dffered, averaging ^50 an acre in value. At Eruthen, an acre of similar 



