290 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE, ETC. 



Science Syllabus. 



The syllabus is based on three main conceptions as to the function of a science 

 course : — ■ 



(1) A fundamental course in the major sciences — -physics and chemistry — because 

 of their influence — • 



(a) on other sciences ; 



(6) on the teaching of scientific method ; 



(c) on the higher work which some pupils will undertake. 



(2) The need for stimulus of contact with objects outside the laboratory, hence 

 the biological, and in a narrower sense agricultural, bias ; these supply the means 

 whereby the knowledge and method taught indoors might be applied. The grounds 

 and gardens of the school are therefore treated as an outdoor laboratory in which a 

 variety of interesting experiments may be carried out. 



(3) Throughout the course individual experimental work is demanded, wherever 

 feasible, in the hope that this will strengthen initiative, self-reliance, etc., in the pupil. 

 Form II.— Boys and Girls. Average age 11. 



A. An Introduction to Gardening. Hours per week, IJ. 



Simple seasonal activities, e.g.: (a) seed-sowing — -transplanting seedlings; 



(6) cuttings — various ; (c) planting bulbs ; (d) saving of seed. 

 Care of small area of ground for : (e) raising plants from seed — annuals, etc. ; 

 (/) wild garden — weeds. 

 Form II. — Boys only. 



B. Gardening (working in pairs on plots of 100 sq. yds.). Hours per week, li. 

 Rotation : (a) potatoes ; (b) beet and carrot ; (c) cabbage, garden swede ; 



{d) green manure. 

 Use and care of tools — digging, trenching, etc. Manuring — preparation of 



seed-beds — ^sowing, thinning, etc.- — lifting and storing of various crops. 

 Preparation of seed order — planning of plots — -weighing and costing produce. 

 Pests and diseases — life histories of some of them. 

 Preparation of labels for plots. 

 (Board of Agriculture Leaflets for work indoors in bad weather.) 

 Form Illb. — Boys and Girls. Average age 12. Hours per week, 3. 

 A. and B. Introduction to Botany. 



A series of drawings are prepared (loose sheets in portfolio) : (a) twigs from 

 trees in school grounds ; (6) bulbs, etc. — crocus, montbretia, hyacinth ; 

 (c) flowers — those presenting simple structure, so as to lead up to : (1) a 

 complete flower : (2) floral diagrams ; (3) floral formulae ; (4) similarity 

 of arrangement. 

 (Part of the work is done in the drawing classes.) 

 Boys only. Hours per week, 1^. 



C. Gardening : as for Form II., but with greater variety of crops. 



(N.B. — New pupils starting" in this form -with no knowledge of gardening are 

 usually placed with more experienced pupils.) 

 Form Ilia. — Boys and Girls. Average age 13. Hours per week, 3. 



A. Physics. 



Experimental work dealing with : (a) measurement of length, area, volume 

 etc. ; (6) the balance — weighing ; (c) density and relative density ; 

 {d) Archimedes' Law — -fluid pressure ; (e) the barometer. 



B. Botany. 



The work started in Form Illb. is continued with a view to starting a Flora 

 in Form IV. 

 Boys only. 



D. Gardening. 



The boys work a ' common plot ' with the following rotation : 



(1) potatoes; (2) beet and carrots ; (3) onions; (4) cabbage family. 



Experimental work on common plot : (a) variety trials ; (b) seed-saving — - 

 selection of type ; (c) control of pests and diseases — spraying ; {d) raising 

 of seed potatoes — -rogueing ; (e) influence of spacing of crops ; (/) simple 

 manurial experiments. 

 In addition each boy prunes, feeds, and generally manages : 



(1) an apple-tree ; (2) a soft-fruit bush — gooseberry or red currant. 



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