§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY (for Mr. SEXTON)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What practical agricultural training is possessed by the Inspectors of the Irish Board of National Education who conduct examinations in agriculture in schools under the direction of the Board, and what certificates of competency in this regard are held by those Inspectors; whether examinations in agriculture are held at all periods of the year, Midwinter as well as Midsummer; and, whether, as the income of the teacher depends on the result of the examination, arrangements will be made, in the case of schools with gardens or plots of ground attached, that the agricultural examination shall be held at a time when the value of the teacher's work can be practically tested?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the Commissioners of National Education inform me as follows:—The pupils and farms of 258 agricultural schools are examined by an Inspector who is qualified by education and practical experience for his office. Agricultural schools are inspected and examined twice each year at such times as results can be fairly judged. The school gardens are examined at periods when the Inspectors consider they can do full justice in the matter of results.