of manure, and a profit of £13 carried to the Master's account. Now I cannot but think that the circulation of facts like these, with a clear statement of the farm accounts, a report on the mode of cultivation, on the rotation of crops adopted, and the results of all experiments tried, would do more to diffuse the spirit that is wanting, than many who are still sceptical on the subject are inclined to believe.

Another deficiency should also be supplied. It is impossible to refer to the school books published by the Commissioners without the most grateful admiration. In Great Britain and in our distant Colonies their value is now recognised; and I feel confident that any passion, prejudice, or misrepresentation, which hitherto has limited their sphere of usefulness, must speedily disappear. If, however, we wish to increase our agricultural operations, we must add to the present list of books an agricultural series. We must have a first, second, and third book prepared for our agriculturists; we must have a small Cottager's "Book of the Farm.' We must have a simple Agricultural Catechism; we must teach and facilitate the simple experiments which will enable the schoolboy to test soils and manures. I have known beds of calcareous marl left wholly useless and disregarded, as if they were sterile clay, from want of knowledge to try an experiment which a few drops of acid would have brought within every schoolboy's reach; and possibly, by turning mental and physical activity into new channels, would have saved many a window from fracture. Mr. Skilling's book does good, but we want an introduction to it. I have known Professor Johnston's Catechism advantageously introduced, but that too should be reserved for the more forward classes. To these the principles of land-surveying, draining, the use of the theodolite and spirit-level, the principles of roadmaking, mechanics, as exemplified in ploughs and farming implements, would present innumerable branches of practical knowledge, all tending to insure the future support of the pupil, and the general improvement of the country.

This hasty and very imperfect sketch will, when reconsidered, be found to embrace several topics capable of much larger and more useful development, if treated by abler hands than mine. It includes:

1. The establishment of Agricultural Instruction in the thirty-two proposed District Model Schools.

2. The establishment of Agricultural Instruction in the proposed combined Schools for pauper children in Union Workhouses, as contemplated by the 10th Vic., c. 31, s. 24.

3. The extension of small Agricultural Schools in connexion with ordinary National Schools, on the scale of that at Larne.

4. An Annual Special Report from the Commissioners on the Agricultural Schools now established or in progress, accompanied by Plans, Estimates, Specifications, and Annual Balanced Accounts of Income and Expenditure.

5. A separate inspection of these Schools by an Officer conversant with Agriculture, and competent to report on the subject.

6. An addition to the Library of the Commissioners, by the publication of a Farmer's Series, rising from the simplest Primer of Husbandry to the more scientific teaching.

I have intentionally abstained from any observations on the school at Glasnevin, that should be the mainspring, fons et origo, of the whole work. But that school lies so immediately under the observation of the Commissioners that they are the best judges how far, in its present state, it is capable of being made the centre of the system I have projected.

Let not my proposition be rejected on the ground of expense. In the first place, I doubt whether that expense would be as great as many apprehend. But even if it were, we should compare the expense with the gain-we should consider the formidable difficulties of the position in which Ireland is placed, the duty and the necessity of improving our husbandry, if we wish to feed, on cereal produce, a people bred on potatoes; the fatal consequences to property if a surplus produce is not raised out of land; the possible absorption of the whole rental in rates if vigorous efforts are not now made; the difficulty of acting on the old and ignorant; the comparative facility of acting on the minds of the young. These subjects present topics for reflection, which render mere cost a secondary consideration. Had such a system as that now recommended been carried into effect wisely but liberally, twenty years ago, how many lives, how many millions of money might have been saved in the two last years of sorrow. God grant that we, our Rulers, and Legislature, may feel these convictions, and prepare to act upon them with vigour, and without hesitation or delay.

Mount Trenchard, 25th Sept., 1847.

MONTEAGLE.

XXXII.-National Industrial Schools.-Extracts from Reports of District Inspectors.

Claddagh Fishing School, County Galway.

"The attendance, has been, sometimes, over 500, and the average for six months has been nearly 400. I regret that the apparatus requisite for giving an extensive course of instruction on practice of navigation has not been provided, and that there are no funds available for this purpose.

"Since the opening of the Female Schools, 36 girls have been employed in the Industrial Room at spinning and net-making; and in providing materials and making trifling donations to children, £66 1s. 6d. have been nearly expended. The Schools are in a much better state than I expected them to be, the merit of which must be attributed to the praiseworthy assiduity and attention of the Manager and Rev. Gentlemen of the Claddagh Convent.

"WM. SAVAGE, District Inspector I. N. Schools."

Ballymena Industrial Schools.

"This School was established for the purpose of feeding and employing, as well as educating, the children of the lowest and most destitute class.

"Eighty children have been admitted up to the present time; the average for the last six months was 55 (27 males and 28 females); the attendance at present, 52 (26 males and 26 females); the average ages, from 9 to 12. It is intended to increase the number in actual attendance to 60.

"The Schools differ from others in providing food for the children, and in requiring all to work for a stated time daily. In summer the Schools open at 7, and close at 5-four hours are given to lessons, &c., four to work, and two for meals and exercise; in winter they open at 8, and close at 4, and the time for meals is somewhat curtailed.

"In the work department of the Female School the children knit, sew, mend, darn, &c.; abundance of work is at present supplied by the public, and a small price is charged. A parcel of work, consisting of shirts, stockings, caps, &c., was made up and sent for sale to London, to Mrs. A. S. Adair, Patroness of the School; the work brought good prices and gave great satisfaction.

"In the Male School several modes of employment were devised and tried with success; these I refer to in order :

"1. Tailoring.-This was carried on regularly for about three months; six or eight boys were employed. The Tailor's wages for four hours daily may be estimated at 3s. per week. This work is suspended for the present, as the boys can be more advantageously employed in other ways.

"2. Shoemaking.--Four to six boys are employed, some of whom have made very creditable proficiency. There was an outlay of about £1 10s. for tools, &c.; the Shoemaker's wages is 4s. 6d. per week.

"3. Street Sweeping.-To set this afoot brooms only were required. An arrangement was effected with the Town Commissioners by which the Committee were to receive £2 per month for sweeping all the streets of the town. The matter was regarded as an experiment by both parties. It has succeded admirably; the town has been kept perfectly clean for the last three months. The conduct of the boys on the streets has given much satisfaction; their industrious and orderly appearance pleads most powerfully on their behalf, while the remuneration is a clear gain to the Institution.

"4. Gardening and Agriculture.-This may be regarded as the most important department. The temporary use of a garden, containing somewhat less than half an English acre, has been given by Sir R. S. Adair, through his agent, Mr. Dickey. This has been laid out as a kitchen garden, and is L

VOL. II.

now under cultivation. The boys have done all the work-proving both their ability and their willingness.

"The dietary consists of two meals, daily, of plain, wholesome food; this can be furnished at the cost of three halfpence for each child. On Sundays they do not come to the School.

"In the literary department the progress of nearly all has been surprising. "In conclusion, I beg to remark, that I consider the Institution of the highest importance. What Larne has been as an Agricultural School, I expect Ballymena will be as an Industrial School. There can be no doubt of the success of the experiment. The improvement of the wretched outcasts, mentally, physically, and morally, is most evident; their very countenances have undergone a remarkable transformation-this fact has been noticed by many. “W. A. HUNTER, District Inspector."

Belfast Industrial School.

"This Establishment is for girls exclusively. The number admitted is 95; the number present on the 8th of May, 81. Every child admitted into this School is taught, in addition to the usual literary branches, knitting and sewing -the kind and quality of the work varying according to the knowledge of the pupil. The industrial occupations are, therefore, principally knitting, sewing, making up plain clothing, and mending clothes. In addition to these branches of instruction, the elder girls are taken in turn to the kitchen, laundry, &c., where they are instructed in cooking, washing clothes, ironing, cleaning rooms, &c. The time devoted to the literary branches is from 3 o'clock, P.M., to 6 o'clock, P.M., on each week day. The hours from 10 o'clock, A.M., to 2 o'clock, P.M., are for industrial branches. The classes of children that are eligible' for admission into the Institution are

"1st. Orphans provided with shelter, for the night only, at the house of some friend.

"2nd. Children of destitute widows.

"3rd. Neglected children.

"4th. Special cases of poverty, from sickness or other causes.

"Some of the results are,-that the orphan obliged to beg for food though provided with shelter for the night by a friend, has been saved from the vice and misery entailed on the young mendicant.

"The child of the destitute widow, obliged to work to a stranger for her support, has been provided a safe asylum during her mother's absence.

"The child neglected by a drunken father or mother, has met with a comfortable home during the day.

"The honest man or woman who has been stricken by sickness, unable to support his family, has had them carefully tended.

"The Committee of this valuable Institution have published their First Annual Report, which enters into more minute details respecting the food given to the children, and the general domestic arrangements.

"Besides the Industrial School, there is, under the management of the Ladies' Committee, an Infant School, of which the arrangements are entirely different. The children receive no food in the establishment, and each pupil, generally, pays a penny a week for tuition.

“D. L. BLAKELY, District Inspector."