AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2651, 5 November 1909, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

VISIT OF MR. E. G. LOTEN

Air. E. G. Loten. Agricultural Instiuctcr under the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, who is at present in Gisborne, will deliver an address to teachers in tile Gisborne School this afternoon, and at Matawhero to-night, in connection with the establishment of classes for elementary agricultural instruction. Speaking to a “Times” reporter last night, Air. Lotert said that he bad interviewed the . secretary of the A. and P. Show with a suggestion tiiat provision be made in the catalogue of the annual show for a competition between the various school gardens in the district. Air. H. Al. Porter expressed himself as being very favorable to the proposition, and promised to lay the matter before the Show Committee at the first opportunity. It is proposed by Air. Loten that some persoTr to be appointed shall go round and inspect the gardens, the judging to be done under five heads, with a maximum of 100 points. The following are the suggested conditions under which the gardens should be judged: (1) General appearance, including straightness or rows, freedom from weeds, and condition of soil; (2) quantity and quality of crops produced; (3) the educational value of the work, judged by records •zept in notebooks, and also by experimental work; (4) the consideration of advei'se conditions, or otherwise; (5) the care and condition of the garden implements. In addition, Air. Loten has also requested the show authorities if they can see their way to include exhibits from the sdhool gardens at the show, also a collection of native grasses, with their habits of growth, etc., and a collection of local weeds. 1 ■ In- further conversation, Mr. Loton stated that he wished on this visit to ascertain all the schools which were going ho take up the course of instruction. in order that a commencement might be made with,the work immediately after the midsummer “vacation, lie is in communication with the Government regarding the offer recently made by the Department to supply seeds, manures, etc., free of charge, for experimental purposes. Air. Loteii considers it probable that a course of instruction in dairying will be taken up by the Patutahi and probably the M?. kauri Schools.