SCIENCE TEACHING. 175 



struction gfiven. Of the laboratories in which this work was carried out, two 

 only could be described as satisfactory in regard to size and equipment. The 

 usual subjects taught in these day schools were Mathematics, Practical Plane 

 and Solid Geometry, and Mechanics (Solids and Fluids). Physiography, 

 Electricity, and Magnetism and Chemistry were next in order of frequency. 

 Mathematics, in general, was efficiently taught, the Euclid being, as a rule, 

 very sound. 



Instruction in Practical Plane and Solid Geometry suffered much fromi 

 want of illustrative models ; and, as a rule, the Solid Geometry was left 

 untouched. In most schools the instruction in Mechanics and Chemistry was 

 mainly in preparation for the written examination of the Intermediate Educa- 

 tion Board. In some few cases, the school possessed no apparatus at all ; in 

 most, far too little use was made of that which they did possess. In a very 

 few cases only were note-books systematically and regularly kept. 



Much earnest and painstaking work was done in the Art classes throughout 

 the session. Improvements in method, however, are possible, and it is felt 

 that the development of these classes will receive fresh impetus under the 

 Department's new Programme. 



Technical Schools were allowed, during the past session, an equivalent grant 

 under Sections LXXXVI. a. and LXXXVI. b. of the Directory of the Hoard 

 of Education, South Kensington. Mucii of the work assisted in this way was 

 distinctly good. In a few cases the work requires reorganisation. 



RURAL INDUSTRIES. 



Out of the sum voted by the Agricultural Board for rural industries, to be 



administered with the concurrence of the Board of 



Lace, Crochet, and Technical Instruction, twenty-one Home Industries 



Needlework. societies and classes were assisted. The industries 



promoted by these societies are mostly those which can 



be carried on by women of the rural classes, such as lace, crochet, embroidery, 



needlework; and the aid consisted chiefly of a grant to meet the salary of the 



teacher giving the necessary technical instruction. These societies and classes 



are distributed over eleven different counties. The approximate number of 



workers involved is i,oii. The workers, who are chiefly the daughters of 



small farmers and labourers, help on the farm during the busy season of the 



year, and resume the industry when pressure of work it over. Few devote all 



their time to the industry; it is rather the occupation of their leisure hours, 



and is thus distinctly supplementary to agriculture. 



The lace and crochet industry is capable of much development in Ireland. 

 Crochet, moreover, can be produced under difficult conditions, and is adapted 

 to all classes of workers. The finer varieties of crochet require as much care 

 and as delicate handling as any other sort of lace, but ordinary crochet \n 

 white thread can be washed, steeped, even boiled and bleached before it is sent 

 to market. This fact alone enables the crochet industry to be carried on in 

 many a poor cabin where lacemaking would be impossible. But to establish 

 these industries on a permanent basis a high standard of quality must be 

 maintained. To this end a knowledge of drawing is of the greatest importance 

 to all workers, in enabling them to reproduce patterns with truth, accuracy, and 

 artistic feeling. Girls who can draw, and who are good at plain sewing, are 

 able to produce saleable work in a much shorter time than others. For crochet 

 a knowledge of drawing is even more important than for lace, for the crochet- 

 worker has often to form her own pattern, and join her details to fit into certain 

 shapes, as best she may, without plan or guidance. Such work, to be done in. 

 the best manner, calls for some knowledge of design, as well as of drawing 



