bach, which was raised to the rank of an intermediate school during the past year, takes the first place. Every pupil has his little plot of ground, and every one of the four divisions has its own garden. Blumstein S. D., a purely rural school, which did excellent work during the past two years, again has a good garden this year, although the frost in June did considerable damage.

During the year, every school in the division was visited twice, a number of them three times, and several others four times. During the fall of 1914, all the schools in the Municipality of Stanley, that are included in Inspector Finn's division, were placed in my charge, and these also were visited and reported upon. The clerical work of this division was also in my charge, and in connection with this, two arbitrations were held, one at Cypress River and one at Baldur, reports of which were sent to the Department at the proper time.

The academic work in the schools is steadily improving. Reading is receiving more attention than formerly, and in most of the schools, pupils read both intelligibly and intelligently. The weak subjects seem to be grammar, history and spelling, and the reason probably is, that many of the teachers are weak themselves in these subjects.

The question of consolidation does not seem to meet with a favorable reception in this division, for a very obvious reason, and that is, the large number of pupils attending the rural schools. As has been mentioned at the beginning of this report, 80 teachers were in charge of 2,576 pupils, making an average of 32.2 per teacher. It is easily seen that there can be very few small schools in the division. The fact is that only four of the eighty had a registration of less than twenty, and one of these is a new school in which the attendance is sure to increase considerably during the next year or two. There is therefore, not the same need for consolidation that is found in other communities, and a good teacher finds ample opportunity for doing the work most essential to the needs of his particular district. The subject has, however, been kept before the public, and the advantages were explained fully in an address delivered at the educational meetings referred to earlier in this report.

During the months of July, August and September of 1914, a third class Normal Course was conducted at Morden, at which sixteen students were in attendance. At this course, six of the students who attended had grade XI standing, six had grade X, and in order to provide teachers for all the vacancies, four were admitted who had grade IX standing. All took charge

of schools on Oct. 1st, 1914, and their work during the past year has been very satisfactory. This year's class numbers 26, all of whom have written the examinations for grades X and XI, and two of them have written part of the examination for grade XII.

A very successful convention of the teachers of this division was held early in November, 1914. About eighty per cent. of the teachers were in attendance. Mr. C. K. Newcombe, Superintendent of Education, was present and delivered an address at one of the evening meetings, and also took part in the programme during the first day. The evening meetings at these conventions are always very largely attended, and this ⚫ne at Plum Coulee was no exception to the rule. Local conventions were also organized at Altona, Winkler and Steinbach, and at each of these centres, a series of very successful meetings were held. Two trustee conventions were also held during the year. The western part of the division is included. with the division in charge of Inspector Finn, and these trustees met at Morden in February, 1915. At this convention, addresses were delivered by Mr. C. K. Newcombe, Superintendent of Education, Mr. A. McLeod and Dr. Everson, of Morden, and Inspectors Gordon and Weidenhammer.

The trustees of Rhineland Municipality met at Plum Coulee in November, 1914. At this convention a very important question came up for discussion, viz: the question of graded grants for rural schools. It was thought that if the grants were graded according to the certificate held by the teacher, trustees would be induced to demand better qualifications in their teachers. This resolution was passed unanimously and forwarded to the secretary of the provincial association, where it was laid over for discussion at a future meeting.

In May and June very successful field days were held at Gretna and Winkler respectively. A number of surrounding rural schools participated in the sporting events, and both celebrations were well attended by the public.

The increased number of pupils presenting themselves at the examinations for grades VIII, IX, X, XI and XII is the best indication of the improved work of the teachers. At the June examinations held this year, 67 applications were received from this division for the examination in grade VIII, and 98 applications for the examinations in the higher grades. These numbers include the applications from the private educational institutes at Gretna and Altona, both of which are doing exceptionally good work, and it is to their efforts that we are very largely indebted for our supply of qualified teachers in the

division. A marked improvement is noticeable in the English of the candidates who presented themselves for examination this year. Most of these speak English without any trace of foreign accent, and are capable of taking their places in any school of the province. It may also be added here that the institute at Gretna is making arrangements to put on a course for grade XII next year, and a number of students have already intimated their desire to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them. This is a step that should be encouraged by every one having the cause of education in this part of the province at heart, and will no doubt receive the fullest approval of the entire community. Four candidates from the Winkler intermediate school wrote the examination for part I of grade XII this year.

In conclusion, permit me to thank the officials of the Department for their assistance in my work during the past year. Their prompt replies to all correspondence, as well as to personal requests, facilitated my work considerably, and enabled me to solve a number of problems satisfactorily, which at first sight seemed impossible.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

A. WEIDENHAMMER.

Report on Elementary Agriculture, School Gardening
and Nature Study

Hox. R. S. THORNTON,

Minister of Education, Winnipeg.

Sir, I have the honour of presenting to you my third annual report on Elementary Agriculture, School Gardening, and nature Study for Manitoba.

General Progress

During the past year, a very marked increase in interest has been displayed by both teachers and trustees in this branch of education. Most of the new school sites, especially those in connection with consolidated schools, have been well fenced and have had land prepared upon them for the planting of windbreaks, ornamental trees, and school gardens. Many old sites that had not even been fenced, have been improved in the same manner. Teachers and trustees are beginning to realize the value of making the school buildings and their surroundings as attractive as those of the best farm homes of the district. Many teachers have advanced beyond the "playing at gardening" stage and are making this subject of real educational value in relating it to the other subjects on the curriculum and to the interests of the home.

Teachers' Reports

Very encouraging reports have been received from many teachers that had school gardens. Some teachers report failure, but not discouragement; they have learned to turn their failures into successes, and have resolved to profit next season by their experiences. A few extracts from some of these reports may prove of interest:

"Under the able direction of the principal, Mr. G. W. Burrell, the grounds surrounding our school have this year been turned into a miniature experimental farm.-Swan Lake Weekly.

"This is the second year that we have had a school garden, and the results are much more satisfactory than they were the first year. This is owing to the better condition of the soil and to wiser management."-Eva Kilpatrick, Franklin Union School District.

"I believe that no subject on the programme awakens so

much enthusiasm and sympathy as agricultural nature study." -J. T. Hulme, Winnipegosis.

"Every morning each child was required to inspect his or her plot and report anything new in regard to it. The children really loved to do this and to receive words of encouragement for close observation.

"Many would come and say: "Teacher I like coming to school this year.'"-Nora Zotyna, Gascon S. D.

"Owing to lack of experience and forethought, the plots were raised too high and a violent windstorm scattered many of the seeds far distant. Still, neither teachers nor pupils are discouraged. The former have learned much and hope to profit by the lessons next year; the latter, with the confidence of youth, are positive that they will have greater success in the future."-John C. Anderson, McGregor S. D.

"Some of the factors which tended to make our garden a

success were:

1. An interested and generous school board, who had the ground well fenced and the soil well fertilized; who bought the best seeds; and who gave prizes for the best kept plots. 2. Faithful, efficient, and hard working teachers. Children who were interested in the work.

3.

4. A good caretaker, always willing to oblige and to assist in supervising the work during the holidays.

5. A growing conception in the minds of the parents that work is ennobling and that agriculture is the noblest of all industries."-S. E. Clark, Souris.

Normal School Instruction

A week was spent with the students in each of the third class Normal Schools. Instructions was given in agricultural nature study and in the methods of carrying on school gardening in a practical manner.

Winter Meetings

Much interest has been aroused among trustees and teachers by furnishing them, either free or at wholesale cost, material such as trees, shrubs and seeds, for carrying on gardening and agricultural experiments. During September and October over 7,000 bulbs, for indoor and outdoor culture, were supplied to ninety schools. During the winter months 957 germination testers for grains and 176 egg testers were distributed free on application to 100 schools.