lo Oct. 1910.] Educational Facilities at the Xiticidiural College. 639 



habits are traced. A knowledge of these is indispensable to enable us to 

 contend successfully with the numerous destructive insects. The best 

 methods of preventing and coping witli these pests are described in the 

 lecture hall, and practically demonstrated in the field. 



Popular among the boys are the evenings set apart periodically for 

 either Question Box or Specimen night. For the former, every lad is 

 armed with at least one written question, while one or more specimens 

 that have caught his eye and excited his curiosity are submitted for the 

 latter. He must provide one — more if he likes. Both these methods are 

 useful educational factors. The boy asks for definite information on a 

 subject that has probably been puzzling him, and he gets the very help he 

 wants. Specimens having served their purpose for instruction are, if 

 worthy, placed in the College museum for permanent reference. 



All the subjects treated have some direct bearing on the daily work. 

 Birds, insects and plants nre studied in their relation to the producer. Tn 



LLC iL KL li \J L. 



connexion with the former it may be stated that five years ago no bird 

 except the ubiquitous sparrow dared show itself near the buildings. Now 

 v/iens and robins, fly-catchers and thrushes, and many others actually hop 

 en the verandahs. Many of the lads are pledged members of the Gould 

 League of Bird-lovers. Not only do these feathered visitors repay us with 

 their confidence for our kindness, but they render incalculable service by 

 destroying innumerable insect pests. 



Besides the special subjects enumerated general education is not over- 

 looked. The aim is to provide the boys with the mental equipment and 

 practical training that will best fit them for life, with all that means, as 

 trained workers and good citizens. 



Every Sunday evening there is choir practice and an address bearing on 

 conduct and duty. Special prizes — inaugurated by one who has now^ gone 

 — are given every few months for the best written account of one of these. 

 The difficulty of the moral training cannot here be touched on. Let it 

 suffice to say thnt great importance is attached to this essential matter. 



