1920.] 



Instruction in Horticulture. 



411 



nearly self-supporting as possible. Lack of knowledge of the 

 proper methods of culture has been largely responsible for our 

 neglect of horticulture in the past, and the first step was the 

 adoption of an extended scheme of instruction. The problem 

 has been engaging the attention of the Ministry for some 

 considerable time. 



The importance of increased home production of iA\ foodstuffs 

 was apparent, and the Government set aside a considerable sum 

 of money for the purpose of agricultural education and research, 

 including horticultural education. It was considered that the 

 best interests of the country would be served by an extension of 

 the system of decentralisation. Some details as to this develop- 

 ment will be of interest to all concerned in horticulture. 



The first step w'as naturally the investigation and consideration 

 of all past schemes of education to discover w'hat errors had been 

 made and what class of w^ork had achieved the most useful results. 

 It w^as shown that propaganda by lecture and leaflet only did not 

 produce results fully commensurate with the money and energv 

 expended. The Ministry therefore decided on a new scheme, 

 the key-note of which is the practical demonstration of approved 

 economic methods of production of fruit, vegetables, and of 

 honey, combined with manual, graphic and oral teaching, with 

 the object of increasing production, efficiencn in production, and 

 the elimindtion of unprofitable varieties. 



The administrative w'ork is placed in the hands of the Local 

 Authority, who has power to set up Horticultural Sub- 

 Committees. For the assistance of these Committees 

 in revising existing, and in formulating new schemes, the 

 Ministry has prepared and distributed to all those officially con- 

 cerned a comprehensive memorandum embodying a complete 

 although elastic scheme, which can be adapted to puit the par- 

 ticular needs of each county. This aims at the estiiblishment 

 of a Horticultural Instruction Centre at the Farm Institute, 

 where demonstration fruit and market garden plots and apiaries 

 will be established. These form the practical basis for the 

 courses of teaching which will be varied to suit the needs of all 

 districts. For those who intend to follow fruit and vegetable 

 production as a business, a full year's course of day classes at 

 the centre will be provided. This course, although not suffi- 

 ciently equipping a student to commence business immediately, 

 will form a sound basis of technical education. 



