260 SCHEME FOR TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN ESSEX,
The most important of the subjects proposed to be taught may thus be
grouped :— . .
(a). Elementary Drawing, Practical Geometry, Carpentry, Modelling, &c.,
and their applications in the study and practice of the following subjects.
(b). Practical Elementary Physics and Chemistry, and their applications in
agriculture, industries, &c.
(c). Biology, including Practical Botany and the principles of Vegetable
Physiology, and their applications in agriculture, gardening, &c.
(d). The principles of Geology and Mineralogy, and their applications in
agriculture, water-supply, &c.
(e). Human Physiology and the Laws of Health or Hygiene.
(f). Geography and Physiography, including Practical Meteorology.
(g). The principles and practice of Agriculture and Agricultural Chemistry,
Live Stock Management, Fruit Growing and Preserving, Dairy Management,
Bee-keeping, &c.
(h). Forestry, Arboriculture, and Gardening.
(i). The structure, life-histories, diseases, distribution, &c., of Fish, Molluscs,
Crustacea, &c., with special reference to the Essex Fisheries, Oyster Culture, &c.
(j). Courses of instruction on the diseases of plants and animals, and on
beneficial and injurious birds, insects, injurious fungi, &c.
(k). Special courses of instruction on the scientific principles and practice of
any local industries.
(l). Navigation, Fishing, &c.
(m). Cookery and minor domestic industries.
The stock of apparatus, models, preparations, maps, specimens, &c., in the
central institution would allow of the teaching in these lectures and classes being
illustrated and made practical in a way that would be impossible in the case of rural
centres and villages under any other system. In schemes of elementary, scientific,
and technical instruction hitherto put forward, towns and populous centres have
alone been considered. The present scheme would permit of the best kind of
instruction being given not only in towns but also in rural and maritime districts,
and that at a minimum cost. It should be noted, also, that if in the future an
extension of the institution in any direction should be considered desirable by the County
Council of Essex, the plans proposed will readily allow of such development with-
out any interference with the work then being carried on.
The Museum, Laboratories, and Class-room would also be serviceable :—
1st. As a means of giving general scientific information and practical educa-
tion in the county, and as a local centre of instruction for Chelmsford and its
neighbourhood.
2nd. As a place for instruction in the higher branches of any subject for
advanced pupils, and as giving opportunities for individual practical work. The
Laboratories and Class-room would also be of general advantage as an examination
centre for any science or technical classes held in the county, whether under the
Club's scheme or otherwise.
3rd. It is submitted also that the Museum, Laboratories, and Library at
Chelmsford will be of considerable utility to the inhabitants of the county at
large, to farmers, gardeners, fishermen, &c., and to members of the County
Council, County Officers and others desirous of obtaining accurate information
about Essex, its natural productions and industries, and also as affording facilities
for any special technical investigations in the subjects above mentioned.
The Club would become affiliated to the Science and Art Department, so that
Government Examinations could be held, prizes and payments on results earned,
and grants claimed towards the building fund, and for the purchase of apparatus,
examples, &c. This affiliation would bring the Club clearly within the terms of
the Technical Instruction Act, 1889.
In the work of carrying out the above scheme the Essex Field Club would