and a portion of the "Agricultural Class Book" is read by APPENDIX D. the advanced pupils on those days that they are not engaged II. Appendix

on the farm.

to Dr. Kirk

Parteen

The "Industrial Class" consists of four boys, two of whom patrick's Report, are paid by the Board, and two by Mrs. Honan; and I have every reason to be satisfied with them as being very useful Model Farm. for light work, and also very willing little workmen. Together with working on the farm, they whitewash the schools two or three times a-year, Mrs. Honan supplying lime and brushes. Results of Agricultural Instruction. In consequence of the encouragement which you, Sir, held out to the boys, about a dozen of them got plots of ground from their parents for their own use; and though all were not equally successful, I have much pleasure in stating that some were eminently so. Some have saved the seeds of beans, peas, &c., to sow next season, and have early potatoes planted now, so that they seem to be quite alive to their business. I have also great pleasure in stating that some of the pupils, from observing my mode of managing liquid manure, and also from seeing their own flowing away as a useless nuisance, have persuaded their parents to put down tanks in their own yards, and I am sure others will follow their example.

The above is the estimated value; I pay no rent. Observations. It would appear that the bill for labour is rather high on so small a farm, but the above sum includes £2 expended on permanent improvements; also the bill for seeds, lime, &c., seems high, but this includes hay, straw, grazing money, turnips, mangels, bran, &c., purchased; I have threefourths of the lea division dug for potatoes, which is here the best paying crop; and also as I can have a stolen crop after digging them. The remainder I have dug for spring vetches. I have great pleasure in acknowledging the kindness of my patron, Dr. Kane, who has supplied me with timber for corn and hay stands, and also for assisting me in every way he can. I have the honour to remain, Sir, your most obedient Servant, JOHN O'DEA.

Doctor Kirkpatrick, Agricultural Inspector.

TABLE showing the CROPPING of the PARTEEN ORDINARY NATIONAL SCHOOL FARM, for 1851.

Thos. KANE, Manager.

(Signed),

I certify that the above Returns are correct, according to the best of my knowledge and belief,

5th January, 1852.

40.-KNOCKNAGUHY ORDINARY AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

5th January, 1852.

APPENDIX D.

II. Appendix

to Dr. Kirk

SIR,-I beg to submit to you this, my First Report on the patrick's Report. Knocknaguhy Agricultural School, in conformity with a cir- Knocknaghy cular I received from the Education Office in September last. Model Farm. The farm in connexion with this school contains 12 statute acres, of which one acre is reclaimable waste, and another is occupied by roads that run along the north-west and southeast boundaries, leaving for arable culture 10 acres, 7 of which were under tillage last year, and cropped as follows:oats, 5 acres; potatoes, 14 acres ; turnips, half-an-acre. The remaining 3 acres were in grass, which yielded a scanty crop, being only of one year's standing, and without any artificial grasses whatever.

Previous to the 1st of March last, when I left the Model Farm, Glasnevin, I had all the interior useless fences removed, as a preparatory step to the improved system of agriculture I proposed to carry out, thereby expediting future labour, and, at the same time, securing additional land for myself. I must admit that the profits realized by my farming this year (as the Balance Sheet in the Account Book will show), are by no means encouraging; but when it is considered how I found the land when I commenced my duties here, and the little encouragement I received from those persons in whom I had the most confidence, and whom I hoped would have aided me in carrying out the good work of improvement, I trust I will not be blamed for not realizing a more satisfactory result.

I had very little capital to commence with; no person assisted me or placed funds at my disposal; still I have effected a considerable improvement. I have given the farm a creditable appearance, and in a great measure facilitated operations for the future. As to the degree of success which attended my labours here, I can only state, that I have at least shown a good example in keeping persons employed during the year, whilst others, in far more independent circumstances, and with more means at their disposal for the employment of labour, spend at least one-third of the year in indolence.

I have availed myself of every opportunity for giving useful information on rural economy to the people, and have ever found them ready to receive such. I feel great pleasure in being able to report favourably of the success that has attended my labours in imparting agricultural instruction to a class of ten boys in my school. It will be scarcely credited what a large amount of information those young persons are already possessed of, and with what eagerness they receive instructions on subjects that, up to this time,

VOL. I.

2 s

II. Appendix

room.

APPENDIX D. were altogether unheard of with them. They have assisted occasionally in the labours of the farm; but as there was to Dr. Kirk- very little variety in my cropping this year, I did not patrick's Report. consider it necessary to bring them often from the schoolKnocknaguhy I am confident, from what I know of this place, that Model Farm. an Agricultural School, if established on an efficient footing, would confer vast benefit on this poor locality. I, at one time, cherished the hopes that I would be able to effect some improvement in the agriculture of this part of the country, but I now find that I can scarcely proceed any farther; nor is there any encouragement for me to do so, as the amount of local contributions required for the erection of farm buildings, &c., cannot be raised, nor is there one resident gentleman, or person of influence, in this district, who feels a proper interest in the improvement of the agriculture of the country. However, I will proceed, and use my best endeavours to combine with others to remedy the existing evils. I hope to realize more profits the ensuing year, as I will not require such an outlay to bring the land to a manageable state.

I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

PATRICK MORISSY, Agricultural Teacher.

2 s 2

ROBERT STUDDERT, Manager.