Feb. 1, 1901.j 
Supplement to the " Tropical Agriculturist." 
575 
possible fact must be shown by the officers con- 
cerned. We must not drive or coerce the people ; 
above all, we must try and instil into the children's 
minds a love of Nature, and the necessity of learn- 
ing Nature's methods. If we succeed in doing 
that, we may hope in time to turn their attention 
to field pursuits and to agriculture generally as a 
means of earning a livelihood. We must, however, 
proceed cautiously. In Trinidad it has been 
decided that the teachers should, first of all, have 
a course of lectures, and, in the event of their 
showing aptitude in teaching agriculture and 
passing an. examination in the syllabus laid out, 
they are to be rewarded by receiving a bonus on 
the results of the examination of their schools at 
the end of the year. 
" That is one encouragement ; but we have 
another. We have made the examination the 
means for promotic n from the third class to the 
second. That is an important means of influenc- 
ing the teacher, because it directly touches his 
pocket. Then with regard to teaching in the 
schools, we make considerable use of Blackie's 
Tropical Eeaders. These are used as alternate 
reading books. I feel a deep personal interest in 
this subject of teaching agriculture in elemen- 
tary schools. I have given considerable thought 
to it, and I am convinced if we are to do any real 
good we must exercise great caution, and always 
place the pleasantest side before the parents and 
the teachers. Otherwise, we shall fail." 
A third speaker took a sentimental view of the 
question. 
"Tlie eyes," he said, "of the country child 
should be unsealed. He should be made to see 
tlie beauties and wonders that lie about Iiis feet, 
and are to be found in profusion all round him 
A sympathetic, skilful teacher will invent rural 
life wiih an interest that will attract and fascinate. 
The life that was monotonous, dull, insipid, and 
purely mechanical will be changed into onu full of 
inteiesr, and with this there will be gained a 
discipline of the mind, a development of in- 
tellectual power which are prominent aims of all 
true education. The new knowledge and skill 
•will be to the country boy as a new tool, the 
possession of a new power, and he will be eager 
to miike use of it. 
" What is done on a small scale in a corner of the 
school plot or in the box-garden will lie reproduced 
at home on a larger scale and with added interest. 
It will be his delight to show what he can do, 
and the useful results of his doing. He will find 
u-e for his knowledge of reading, writing, and 
arithmetic in coniieciion with his observations 
and experiments in the study and mastery of some 
of the secrets of Nature. He will have a., desire 
to read ; and, if we are wise, we shall see that he 
■has opportunity by providing the school with a 
suitable librai'y and some of the books specially 
appliciible to country life." 
In France and in the United States, agriculture 
has been introduced as one of the subjects to be 
taught with the express view of pre\4^nling the 
constant drifting of the youth into the great cities 
Illinois has now decided to introduce elementary 
courses in agriculture into the State public schools 
yrilU the primary purpose of interesting cgimtry 
school boys in what may be their life work. The 
course will be adopted especially to the country 
schools, but it v.'ill be introduced into town and 
city classes in a modified form, One hope of those 
who have been instrumental in securing the 
adoption of the study is that it may tend to stem 
the tide of migration of the boys from the country 
■to the city. — Queensland Agricultural Journal. 
OCCASIONAL NOTES. 
Mr. Kelway Bamber, Agricultural Chemist, has 
established a laboratory in Hunupitiya Koad neat 
the junction with Park Street, and not far from 
the Victoria Park. 
The students for the School of Forestry left 
Colombo on tour on the 15th, They proceeded to 
Kurunegala and established their first camp 
in the Sudugama forest. 
We have been hearing from Mr, C. F. Fernando, 
an old boy of the School of Agriculture, who left 
for South Africa to seek his fortune. He is still 
full of hope as to his future in the new country, 
and we have little doubt that with his ability 
he will succeed in finding suitable work to do. 
Veterinary Surgeon Chinniah's article on Vasec- 
tomy, which originally appeared in these pages 
has been taken over by the Veterinarian (London). 
Mr, Chiuniali has repeated the operation on a bull 
at Grove Estate, Ukuwella, with the same success 
as before. The after treatment in vasectomy is 
very simple, and the bull operated on was able to 
go to work in a fortnight's time. 
Mr, Chinniah is reprinting his papers on the 
Branding of Cattle, and it will shortly appear iu 
convenient pamphlet form so as to be available 
to all. 
The closing of the School of Agriculture has 
been ordered by Government, and as a tentative 
measure agricultural work will be carried ou 
though rural schools with connected school 
gardens. The Superintendent of the School of 
Agriculture will assume the duties of Superin- 
- tendent of School Gardens. We are convinced 
that good results should follow this nev? 
deparcure, and we notice the Ceylon press is of the 
same opinion. 
A gymnasium in connection with the School of 
Agriculture was opened on the 1st December in 
the presence of a large gathering, presided over 
by the Director of Public Instruction. 
The School of Agriculture re-opened after the 
Christmas holidays on the loth January. On 
instructions received from Government a new 
class of students was not admitted this yeart 
Mr, J, Rodrigo, Manager of the Government 
Dairy went over to Madras on the 4th December, 
ftUd Iprought over M <!ows £o£ the dairy, 
