CHAPTER V 



SYNOPSIS OF 



THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN 



ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BILL, 1905 



The general object of this Bill is to provide for the 

 teaching in public elementary schools of agricultural 

 and horticultural subjects ; to give facilities for nature 

 study ; and generally by means of object lessons to 

 cultivate habits of observation and inquiry on the part 

 of the pupils. 



A Schedule attached to the Bill contains the follow- 

 ing subjects, in addition to nature study, to be taught 

 in the schools : Fruit-, flower- and vegetable-growing ; 

 poultry- and bee-keeping ; budding, pruning and graft- 

 ing ; cow- and pig-keeping ; milking ; rotation of 

 garden crops ; nature and properties of soils ; know- 

 ledge and choice of seeds ; structure, life and food of 

 plants ; action of birds and insects on crops ; use of 

 manures ; use of simple tools ; packing fruit, veget- 

 ables and other produce for market. 



Clause 2 orives to local Education Authorities wide 

 powers for giving this teaching and for the provision 

 of school gardens, tools, workshops, and all else that is 

 necessary for carrying it out in an effective manner. 



A special grant, not exceeding 75 per cent of the 

 cost, is to be made by the Board of Education to local 

 Education Authorities towards the expenses incurred 

 in carrying out this part of the Bill. 



