684 PBOCEEDINGS OF SECTION K. 



The school garden, when in charge of an enthusiastic and 

 earnest teacher, without doubt, gives inspiration to the pupils for 

 intelligent observation, and so the development of the practical 

 mind. Sometimes too much is attempted, or plants unsuited to 

 the district experimented with, or some other mistake made. This 

 dampens enthusiasm, and may lead to slip-shod habits. 



Presumably a number of the brighter pupils, after a successful 

 career in the primary schools, enter the Agricultural High Schools. 



H. The Functions of the Agricultural High School. 



The apparent functions of the Agricultural High Schools are 

 to teach the pupils to observe correctly; to develop the practical 

 mind ; to give a sound education in mathematics, book-keeping, 

 and English ; and a good insight into manual training in carpentry 

 and blacksmithing ; also to give instruction in freehand and 

 mechanical drawing, and in commercial geography. The ultimate 

 life's work of the boy, will in a measure, regulate some of the other 

 studies. 



Thus he may wish to — 



(a) Become a teacher under the Education Department; 

 (6) To be a student at an Agricultural College; 



(c) Enter the University for the degree course in agricul- 



ture. 



(d) Return to his father's farm. 



The course could be so modified as to meet the cases mentioned, 

 and optional subjects be allowed. 



Much of the work would be done in common, but the youth 

 entering the Education Department would take such subjects as 

 the theory of teaching, English literature, and a foreign language. 

 These subjects, I believe, already form a part of the curriculum. 



The student for the Agricultural College could replace the 

 theory of teaching with rhetoric and oratory since the farming 

 community requires speakers who can voice its needs at public 

 gatherings and councils. 



It would also be advisable for students who wish to enter on 

 the degree course to take the subjects of rhetoric and oratory, 

 possibly logic, and also a foreign language. 



The mission of the University and Agricultural College is not 

 only to turn out agriculturists, but also educated men. There- 

 fore, some preparatory work in these subjects will facilitate the 

 future studies of the students. 



The practical work of the Agricultural High School Farm 

 should be designed more towards developing the observation 

 faculties 



