ON EDUCATIONAL TRAINING FOR OVERSEAS LIFE. 291 
done before anything approaching ideal results can be achieved. And, further, there 
remains to be exploited the great field on the border-line between education through 
agriculture and vocational agriculture, especially among ’teen-age boys and girls.’ 
4.—AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA). 
The Director of Education reports that regular instruction is given in agriculture 
and horticulture to all boys and girls in the rural schools of Victoria of ages 12 to 16. 
The work is carefully organised and systematically carried out under skilful super- 
vision. 
Where possible the agricultural work is linked with laboratory work for dealing 
with problems concerning the soil and its physical and chemical 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 training 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 isa 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 acquire- 
ment 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 cultiva- 
tion are common to every course. 
The course follows a carefully prepared system, including :— 
(1) Instruction in the elementary principles of agriculture and horticulture. 
(2) In 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 elementary school. When boys pass on to secondary educa- 
tion in agricultural high schools the syllabus in agriculture is, of course, considerably 
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, housewifery, 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. 
Extracts from a report by Sir R. B. Greig in 1910 on the Ballarat Agricultural 
High School :— 
‘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 prac- 
tical 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. 
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