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A.—3

"In July a series of competitions .took place among the pupils. Forty-five prizes were distributed among those children who brought the best plants. These had to be placed in the soil to the best advantage. There was keen rivalry and much enthusiasm. Pupils made deep wide holes, into which they placed soil, ashes, and small partly decomposed leaves. Plants placed in these holes were watered, and rain fell off and on for about three weeks after the whole operation was finished. Most of the plants have taken root, and our agricultural plot is at last established. " A new kind of orange and mandarin, as well as some Norfolk Island pines, have been raised from seed and transplanted. " The garden now contains: 8 custard-apples, 13 tava, 2 hazel-nuts, 6 walnuts, 4 limes, 10 Brazilian cherries, 3 Brazilian plums, 5 lemons, 4 pineapples, 12 pomegranates, 20 dates, 1 loquat, 30 mummyapples, 2 Avocada pears, 15 breadfruit, 16 mandarins, 30 vanillas, 42 Granadillas, 104 bananas, 18 coffee-trees, 2 rose apples. " Experiments. —In order to discover what could be successfully grown here, the following seeds were sown in the nursery : tobacco, cloves, allspice, peppercorn, cocoa, coffee, peach, apricot, apple, and indian mummy-apple seed. " Peanuts have been successfully grown for the past two years. We did not expect the New Zealand fruits to grow, but the cloves, peppercorns, and allspice were a failure also. " Although affected by drought the tobacco-plant did well, but those planted at Hakupu in 1925 did splendidly. " Five apricot-trees are growing well. " Cocoa-garden.—The cocoa-seed showed a high percentage of fertility, and the seedlings were transplanted to a separate garden. The young trees, seventy-three in number, look fresh and green, and appear to be strong. " Coffee-garden.—The coffee-trees seem to be less hardy, but sixteen young trees are still alive. " Indian Mummy-apple. —These are not only fertile, but are hardy, and do splendidly on Niue. Altogether one hundred of these have been transplanted. " Interchange of Seeds. —The Tufukia School, Niue, exchanges seeds with the Rangataua School, King Country, New Zealand. So far we have managed to grow one totara, one panax, one peppertree, one clematis, one matai—all natives of New Zealand. " Afforestation. —The following seeds have been successfully raised and will be transplanted after the hurricane season has passed : —Eucalyptus paniculata, E. Muelleriana, E. hemiphloia, E. Maculata, E. pilularis, E. siderophloia, E. sideroxylon, E. saligna. Two sowings of Pinus radiata and of Cupressus macrocarpa were also made. We think, however, that Niue is rather far north for these trees to be successfully grown. The seedlings grow to a height of about 2 in. and then wither away. A few of each continue to survive, although this is the warmest part of the year. To successfully grow useful heavy exotic timbers would not only be interesting but may prove of value to the next generation. " Brazilian-cherry Garden. —Brazilian-cherry seeds were successfully raised in boxes, and thirtythree young trees planted out. So far there are no deaths and they do well here. " Vegetable-garden. —This had to be made by breaking away rock, and soil and leaves were carried before a seed-bed could be established. An enclosure made of strong vine from the bush surrounds the whole. This keeps out stray pigs and fowls. French beans, lettuce, cabbage, taro, yam, peanuts, onions, and tomatoes are now growing. " Beautifying Scheme. —In order to develop the aesthetic side of child nature, and to beautify the grounds, the following have been planted: 190 gigantic taro, 420 bird-nest plants, 3 nonu, 1 futu, 54 sisal hemp, 6 kowhais, 1 tamarix, 162 coleus (blue), 12 calliopsis, 16 cereopsis, 196 coleus (variegated), 25 crotans, 105 coffee cuttings, 14 lilies, 1,303 ferns, 6 red-gum, 20 pandanus, 2 giant bamboo, 16 hiapo, 1 flamboyant, 2 dahlias, 70 coleus (green), 6 polyanthus, 6 bourgainvillaea, 30 Maniota, 1,464 moses-in- bulrushes, 6 weeping-willow, 268 veronicas, 61 summer snow, 10 gladioli, 1 baronia, 2 ericas, 1 dimorphoteca, 30 cannas, 12 poinsettias, " Coconut-planting Campaign.—Lessons were given upon the advantage it would be for boys to plant coconuts while still at school. By the time manhood was reached many trees would be bearing fruit. Boys were asked to plant at least one nut a week, and we are pleased to report that many have responded. Up to the end of the year, over one thousand nuts had been planted. We feel that in order to develop the productiveness of this island, to get future results, and to bring prosperity to the people its problem must be attacked now, especially through the boys and girls at school. The great amount of work found necessary goes to show that no practical attempt had been made to teach agriculture in the past. Practically the only form of employment to the masses of these people is plantation work. Not only have we endeavoured to place agriculture upon a firm foundation, to be in keeping with the syllabus, but for reasons still more important—that is, to cultivate an interest in all that contributes towards the formation of a bias towards agricultural occupations. " Nature-study. —For this we go right to nature herself, and a good deal of it is closely connected with agriculture. Teachers and pupils collected grubs, caterpillars, and chrysalides. These were placed in small tins, which in turn were encircled with vaseline to keep ants from making raids upon the specimens. Regular observation revealed the whole life-history, and now Niue children know the complete metamorphosis of several of the most common insects, such as the grub that attacks their taro crops, the grub that attacks and devours the leaves of the gate-tree, the common night moth that comes around in myriads during certain seasons of the year, and the mosquito. These lessons were a great revelation to pupils and teachers. Most of the children were amazed to discover that a moth was not always a moth, nor was a grub always a grub. Lessons of

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