1893-] ALDERSEY SCHOOLBOYS 119 



I do not like to offer views of my own on these matters 

 now that what is called Technical Instruction is receiving 

 such widespread attention throughout the country. Still I 

 should like, for the encouragement of any of your boys who 

 may think themselves behind in the simply scientific race, to 

 observe that instructions given (let them be conveyed in 

 what terms the teacher will) must be founded to start with, 

 on facts, trustworthily observed and trustworthily recorded ; 

 and the pupil who leaves your school with the knowledge of 

 the appearance of the common crop pests, as the wireworm, 

 the turnip flea beetle, the warble fly maggot for instance, 

 and, as I am well aware is the case with many of your boys, 

 adds to this a practical knowledge of how to lessen their 

 powers of mischief, goes forth holding in his mind what will 

 save him many a pound in the future, and be a benefit 

 wherever he goes. It is a foundation on which as much as 

 he pleases may be built, but the solidly learnt field 

 knowledge will always be serviceable. 



June 5, 1893. 



I thank you very much for your kind letter. If I were 

 nearer it would be a great pleasure to me to be present on 

 your prize day, when I might have the gratification of 

 making personal acquaintance with many of those whom I 

 know by name as taking much interest in this important 

 school as well as yourself, whom I should much like to 

 meet ; and also our " Aldersey boys," whom I have known 

 and worked with, or they with me, for so many years. 



It is a very great pleasure to me that they are continuing 

 their attention, under your skilled help and guidance, to 

 observation of farm pests, and their work stands first as a 

 proof of what can be done in getting rid of one insect pest. 



When careful search only produces twenty warble grubs, 

 in a district x where a few years ago they were counted 

 by hundreds, to my thinking we that is, the boys, you 

 and I may fairly be proud of a thoroughly useful work. If 

 I might venture on a kind of little moral reflection I should 

 say that I should like the little prizes which I have so much 

 pleasure in offering, to remind them sometimes of how 

 much can be done, in many other things also, by even 

 moderate attention given at the right time and under the 



1 This refers to Bunbury only, where we had nearly a " clean bill " 

 in that year. The maggots brought were found in the adjoining 

 parishes. I have in late years granted the boys a " roving commission." 

 On their bicycles they visit farms which are many miles away from their 

 homes. (W.B.). 



