ON EDUCATIONAL TRAINING FOR OVERSEAS IJFE. 279 



Where possible the agricultural work ia linked with laboratory work for dealing 

 ■with problems concerning the soil and its physical and chcinical properties. 

 The boys carry on many of the farm operations, but only to a small extent. 

 It is mainly for educational purposes, and not as a sufficient training in actual 

 handiwork. 



Manual trainiiig is commenced at the age of twelve and forms a definite part of 

 the school curriculum. 



Considerable interest is taken in this work by parents and members of Agricultural 

 Societies and Farmers' Associations. 



Agriculture or horticulture is a compulsory subject in the curriculum of the rural 

 schools. It commences in the elementary schools and is continued in the secondary 

 schools. The course combines both mental and manual training. The mental 

 development of the scholar is considered of greater educational import than the 

 acquirement of practical skill. The aim is in the direction of promoting initiative 

 and a spirit of independent investigation. Lessons on the great basic principles of 

 plant cultivation are common to every course. 



The course follows a carefully prepared system, including : — 



(1) Instruction in the elementar}' principles of agriculture and horticulture. 



(2) School experiments illustrating the principles underlying successful field 

 operations. 



(3) Outdoor work in the school experimental plots and in the school garden. 

 Every school has a garden. 



(4) Extension of outdoor work to home projects. 



(5) Record work in notebooks. 



All this is done in the Elementarj' School. When boys pass on to secondary 

 education in Agricultural High Schools the syllabus in agriculture is, of course, con- 

 siderably extended. It includes farm operations, farm machinery, selection and care 

 of stock, etc. 



In the Higher Elementary and in the Secondary Schools woodwork or farm 

 carpentry is taught. This includes the study of useful timbers and a small amount 

 of forestry. The girls may at the age of twelve years proceed to a School of 

 Domestic Arts, where, in addition to the usual course of English and mathematics, 

 instruction is given in cookery, needlework, dressmaking, millinery, laundry, house- 

 ^vifery, first aid, personal hygiene, and home nursing. The objective is to train 

 girls to be efficient home-makers. These schools are popular. The mothers of the 

 girls frequently send letters of appreciation to the Education Office. The course is 

 free and may cover a period of three years. The girls may proceed to a higher course 

 of domestic economy or to a High School for academic studies. The courses of 

 training in agriculture and in domestic arts have proved to be educational to a high 

 degree. 



There is a distinct advantage in allotting part of the school time to a plan of work 

 outlined above. 



In a report on the Ballarat Agricultural High School Sir R. B. Greig in 1910 

 said : — 



' This school is one of a number which have been organised in Victoria since 

 1906 for the further education of boys and girls, on the assumption that the majority 

 of the boys would become farmers and the majority of the girls would proceed 

 to higher institutions for training as teachers.' 



' Aim of the School. 



' 1. To give boys such education as will direct their interest specially towards the 

 land as an excellent means of gaining a livelihood, and, further, to afford the practical 

 experience and scientific training necessary for success. 



' 2. To magnify agriculture as an occupation and a profession, so that the boy 

 may leave the school as an interested labourer, or for further study and practice on 

 an experimental farm, in an agricultural college, or at the University. 



' 3. To provide a central institution for the dissemination of agricultural informa- 

 tion by evening lectures, conferences, or literature. 



' 4. To superintend the Government experimental plots, and to record and interpret 

 the results. 



' 5. To provide a summer school in agriculture for Primary School teachers. 



