Dec. 16.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3715

The work begun in S4 should be continued in the upper standards in conjunction with the school garden, small plots being cultivated by the individual children for the experimental illustration of the lessons taken within the school, and a somewhat larger plot for more extended experiments—e.g., as to the effects of various modes of cultivation and of various kinds of common manures upon the soils found in the district, one row or ridge being devoted to each experiment.

ELEMENTARY HOME SCIENCE.

Where the circumstances of the school and the staff will permit, there should be a course of home science for girls; this should be founded upon individual observation, experiment, and practice by the girls themselves; it should have reference to the elementary facts and principles underlying the efficient management of a home. The following list of topics will afford material for the construction of a program in home science for girls of the Senior Division; in every school, however small, the girls of S5 and S6 should receive some instruction of this kind. In small schools one course embracing some elementary work in agriculture and some in home science may be drawn up.

LIST OF TOPICS.

Importance of personal and household cleanliness, of wholesome food and sufficient clothing, of fresh air and sunshine, of exercise, sleep, and good habits. Thrift, prudent outlay and judicious saving. Clothing, taste and suitability in dress, hygienic rules as regards clothing, physical properties and cost of materials, cheapness and durability, economic colours, best wearing textures, shoddy; errors in clothing, dangers of flannelette; care of clothes, brushing, removal of mud and grease stains. Treatment of simple injuries and ailments; what to do in case of fire. Methodical habits in home-management. Necessary furniture and its disposition; floor-coverings. Washing, scrubbing, sweeping, dusting, and polishing. Implements and materials used in those operations. Cleaning painted, stained, and varnished surfaces, and windows. Ventilation and warming of rooms; economic and wasteful grates; how to set, regulate, and clean a range; slacking a fire; different fuels; economy of fuel; how to light and keep down a fire; gas-fires and oil-stoves. Lighting; good light for the eyes; restful colours; effect of sunlight; comparison of candle, lamp, and gas and electric light; effect of lighting on air in room. Essential properties of a good lamp; devices for perfect combustion; dangers of impure paraffin. Precautions to be observed as regards heating and lighting rooms. Beds and bed-making; healthy and economical beds and bed-coverings. How to set a table; the care and cleaning of crockery, glass and silverware, and cutlery. Kitchen utensils; the materials of which they are made; the behaviour of these materials under heat and with domestic acids and alkalis such as vinegar and soda. Prevention of rust; use of blacklead. Mechanical action in cleaning of whiting, emery-powder, glass-paper, sand-soap, cinders, &c. Removal of grease; properties and uses of soap and soda and of common domestic solvents such as ammonia, turpentine, benzine, naphtha, and alcohol; precautions to be observed in the use of these agents. Different kinds of foods; objects and methods of cooking meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, cereals, and fruit. Principles on which culinary processes are based; action of heat on foods. Care and storage of food, with special reference to milk; care of larder; marketing; cost of foods; how to recognize defects in foods; adulteration of food. Suitable meals for children and adults. Properties and preparation of common beverages such as tea, cocoa, and coffee. Use and abuse of condiments in common use. Solution, melting, solidification, boiling, evaporation, condensation, crystallization, coagulation, and fermentation; action of yeast and baking-powder. Soups and broths, pies and puddings, scones, bread and cakes. The local water-supply, its source and distribution. Pipe, well, and rain water. Hard and soft water, pollution and waste of water, drainage, disposal of refuse, the use and action of disinfectants and deodorizers in common use. Implements and materials used in the laundry, precautions as regards their use. Washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing; washing coloured materials; paraffin washing; stains and their removal.

SINGING.

The following is the program recommended in singing. To suit the conditions of various schools a modification of this program, or, indeed, any other program, may be accepted, provided that it gives promise of securing a good vocal training, and conforms generally with the intentions of the regulations.

Preparatory Division.—(1.) Natural breathing and voice-training exercises. (2.) Cultivation of the sense of time and rhythm by means of

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