SCHEME OF WORK AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE JS2
1.Revision of J SS1 Work
2.Farm Structures and Building
3.Siting of Farm and layout of farm structures
4.Cultural Practices: Pre-planting operations
5.Cultural practices: Planting Operations
6.Cultural Practices: Post planting Operations
7.Farming System
8.Cropping Systems
9.Field Work
10.Revision
11.Examination
SCHEME OF WORK HOME ECONOMICS JSS2
WEEKS TOPICS
1 Revision
2 Myself as a homemaker; definition, qualities and characteristics of homemaker, responsibilities of a home maker
3 The family house; definition, functional areas in the house
4 The family house; uses of functional areas in the family house
5 The family house; equipment and materials for the maintenance of family house; steps and procedures for maintenance of the various functional areas of the family house
6 Flower arrangement; uses of flower in the functional areas of the family house, types of flower arrangement,
7 Flower arrangement; arrangement of different shapes of flower for use in the functional areas in the family house
8 Care of family clothing and household linen; types and uses of household clothing, factors that enhance the selection of household linen
9 Care of family clothing and household linen; clothing repairs, equipment for clothing repairs
10 Care of family clothing and household linen; clothing storage, maintenance of household linen.
11 Revision
12 Examination
WEEK ONE: REVISION
A crop is a plant that is grown by man in order to harvest it at some point. The crops grown by the farmer can be classified as follows;
1.According to their uses
2.According to life cycle
3.According to the number of cotyledon
CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS ACCORDING TO THEIR USES
Crops in this category are classified or grouped according to the main food substances existing in them. They are as follows. (i) legumes(ii) cereal (iii) roots and tubers (iv) vegetables (v) fruits (vi) beverages (vii) oil (viii) latex (ix) fibres(x) spices (xi) drugs (xii) forage Crops (xiii) nuts
CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS ACCORDING TO THEIR LIFE CYCLE
On the bases of life cycle, crops are grouped into three. These are:
Annual Crops
Biennial Crops
Perennial Crops
(a) Annual Crops: These are crops that complete their life cycle in one year or planting season. The crops are planted, grow and are harvested or will die within one year. This group of crops are Maize, Rice, Millet, Yam, Tomato, Millet and Guinea Corn
(b) Biennial Crops: These are crops that complete their life cycle in two years. They use the first year to grow and store food. Reproduction and maturity takes place in the second year. Examples are pineapple, cocoyam, plantain, banana and sugar beet.
(c) Perennial Crops: This group of crop takes more than two years to their life cycle. They are mainly tree crops. They include Rubber, Cocoa, Oil Palm and Orange.
ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF SEED-LEAF OR COTYLEDON
Crops can be classified according to the number of seed leaf or cotyledon.
They are:
Monocotyledonous crops
Dicotyledonous crops
(a) Mono-cot crops: These are crops that have only one seed leaf or cotyledon. Examples are millet, rice, maize and oil palm.
(b) Di-cot crops: These are crops that have two seed leaves or cotyledon. Examples are cowpea, melon, mango, pumpkin and soya beans.
WEED
Weed is any plant which is not cultivated and grows where it is not wanted. Such a plant is therefore a nuisance to the farmer. Examples are commelina, goat weed or the common water leaf (Talinumtriangulare) growing in a cassava field.
TYPES OF WEEDS
1.Annual weed: They grow and complete their life cycle in one year.
2.Perennial Weeds: They grow for more than one year.
PEST
A pest is any living organism, plant or animal, plant or animal, which can cause damage to cultivated crops, farm animals and humans.
CLASSIFICATION OF PESTS
Pest can be classified as
1.Insect Pest- Insect pests are animals without backbones and they belong to the group of animals called arthropods. Arthropod is a very large group of animals which, in addition to insects, includes crabs, shrimps, millipedes, spiders, centipedes and scorpions.
2.Non-insect pest- These are animals such as vertebrates like nematodes, mites, snails, slugs e.t.c. and vertebrates like rats, squirrels, monkeys, glasscutters, birds, jackals that can cause damage to crop.
CLASSIFICATION OF INSECT PESTS
Insect can be classified based on their mouth parts which are different in different insect groups.
1.Biting and chewing Pests.
2.Piercing and sucking Pests.
3.Boring insects.
NATURE OF DAMAGE
1.Destruction of crop tissues
2.Stunted growth
3.Weakened crop plant
4.Pierced holes can be infested with harmful organism like fungi, bacteria and viruses
5.Transfer of harmful organism from infected crop to the healthy one.
6.It causes ill-health to man and livestock.
CONTROL MEASURES
Physical Control
Chemical Control
Biological Control
Factors of Production
1.Land: refers to where productive activities such as growing of crops, rearing of animals and establishment of farmstead, e.t.c are carried out.
2.Labour: includes all forms of productive human efforts put into or utilized in production. It also refers to man’s mental and physical exertions generated in the process of production.
3.Capital: includes all man-made productive assets which are used in production.
4.Farm Management: refers to the person or group of persons who co-ordinate, organize and control the use of other factors of production to produce goods and services.
Functions of Farm Manager
The functions of a farm manager can be grouped into five major headings:
Organization
Administration
Production
Marketing
WEEK TWO: FARM STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS
FARM STRUCTURES
A farm structure can be defined as any construction on the farm site constructed to make certain farming operations easier. It can also be said to be constructions made on a farm site to increase the efficient operation of the farm. The type of farm structure on any farm depends on the type of farm operated, the scope of operations, the condition prevailing on the site and the amount of money available for the farming operations.
TYPES OF FARM STRUCTURES AND THEIR USES
The structures which may be found on any farm include:
1.Silos: A silo is a tall circular or rectangular farm structure made of concrete, mud or stainless steel. It is called elevators. Silos are structures preplanned mainly for the storage of grains and silage. The humidity in modern silos is controlled and grains put in them can be stored in good condition for a long time. They are expensive and difficult to maintain.
2.Cribs: Cribs are simple grain storage structures made of wood and wire gauze on the sides and floor with a thatch or zinc roof. Cribs are used for drying maize which is still on the cob. The floor of the crib is raised well above the ground on wooden legs, which have rodent guards, to prevent rats from eating the grains
3.Rhumbus: These are round structures made from mud with a grass or thatch roof. They are used for storing grain such as maize, sorghum, millet, cowpeas and groundnuts etc, they are very common in the drier northern parts of Nigeria, especially Sokoto and Kano States.
4.Feed mill: This is a structure constructed for the purpose of making animal feed. It is economical for a large scale animal farmer to have a feed mill where the feed of his animals are produced.
5.Barns: These are temporary structures made on the farm for storing yam, cassava, grass or hay. A barn can cheaply be constructed with sticks, mud and thatch.
6.Abattoirs: These are special structures constructed for slaughtering and butchering of animals (goats, sheep, pigs, cattle e.t.c). They are also called slaughter houses. An abattoir is made up of a passageway through which an animal passes to the slab where it is held down and slaughtered (slaughter slab).
7.Animal Dips and Sprays: Dips and concrete bath or plastic vessels set on to the ground. It is filled with water, then disinfectants are added e.g. acaricides for destroying ecto parasites as the animals are made to pass through it. While a spray is an overhead tank containing disinfectant and a sprinkler through which the disinfectant drips onto the animals and performs the same function as the dip.
8.Weighbridge: this is constructed for determining the weight of farm animals.
9.Crushes: These are made of 2 wooden or metal narrow passageway found on animal farms, used for restricting animals, for check-up or vaccination by veterinary officer.
10.Water supply structures: These include dams, water tanks and irrigation channels or canals.
11.Dams: These are concrete or wooden barriers constructed across a river or stream so that the flow of water is reduced. This accumulated water can be used to irrigate the farm or for domestic water supply.
12.Water tanks: These are constructed from galvanized metals, plastic materials or reinforced concrete and are mostly raised on concrete or steel pillars. Water tanks are used for storing water for domestic use and watering farm animals.
13.Canals: These are used to carry water from rivers to the field for growing crops. This is an irrigation canal while a drainage canal is constructed to remove excess water from the farm.
14.Compost manure pits: They are pits dug for the collection of plant and animal remains or waste which are allowed to decompose and turned to manure for soil fertilizer.
15.Electricity supply structures: These are electric poles, wires and connections for supplying electric power to the farm.
16.Waste/Disposal pits: These are large pits dug on the outskirts of a farm for dumping all waste and useless products of the farm. They are usually covered to prevent flies from carrying germs to human food (vectors).
17.Fences: Fences are physical barriers specifically constructed around an area for the following purposes.
18.Prevention of unwanted person or animals into the farm
19.Prevents animals from leaving the farm site
20.Controls grazing in the pasture
21.To protect crops from being damaged by animals.
FARM BUILDINGS
Farm buildings are all the buildings on the farm. The types, number, and size depend on the type and scope of operations on the farm.
USES/IMPORTANCE OF FARM BUILDINGS
Farm buildings are useful in the following ways:
1.They protect animals and farm workers from the weather
2.They protect farm supplies farm supplies, products, animals and farm workers from thieves and harmful animals.
3.They are convenient means for caring for the farm animals.
4.They provide hygienic system for processing and storing farm products.
5.They are needed for efficient administrative and farm progress purpose
TYPES OF FARM BUILDINGS
There are mainly two types of farm buildings on the farm. They are:
1.Temporary farm building.
2.Permanent farm building.
TEMPORARY FARM BUILDINGS
These are simple buildings constructed from cheap or locally available materials such as bamboo, sorghum, stalks, wood (timber) or palm fronds, mud and corrugated iron sheet or asbestos. They are usually inexpensive and farmers find it easy to leave or destroy. They are abandoned immediately the farmer has completed using them. They are also called “make shift” buildings and those commonly constructed on farms include storage shed for keeping machines and equipment, nurseries for raising seedlings, animal pens, construction sheds and garages for machines. Due to the nature of the materials used to construct temporary buildings, they need frequent care.
PERMANENT FARM BUILDINGS
These are solid buildings normally constructed to last for a very long time. The walls and floors are usually constructed with cement, sand and gravel, wood, corrugated iron sheets,aluminum or asbestos are used for the roof.
Permanent buildings are expensive to construct but they do not require frequent maintenance like the temporary buildings. The roof should however be constantly examined and mended when in bad shape. Examples of permanent buildings are:
1.Farm office
2.Stores for farm supplies and harvests
3.Workshops, generator house and water storage tanks
4.Living quarters for farm workers
5.Animal houses e.g. cattle, sheep, goat, poultry
6.Processing e.g. milking house.
MAINTENANCE OF FARM STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS
Maintenance of farm structures and buildings refers to keeping the structures on the farm in a good condition for continuous use. Farm structures and buildings are subject to wear and tear due to usage and exposure to adverse weather conditions. Damage of wood by termites and of practically all forms of fabric by agro-chemicals like fertilizers also makes their own contribution to wear and tear.
MAINTENANCE OF FARM STRUCTURES
1.Silos should be cleaned and kept air tight; any leaks should be blocked immediately.
2.Abattoirs should be cleaned and disinfected after each operation.
3.Dips should be drained regularly.
4.Nozzles of sprayers should be cleaned to ensure even distribution of chemicals during spraying.
5.Water tanks should be cleaned regularly.
6.Soak away and manure pits should be emptied when they are full.
7.Drainage should be cleaned regularly with chemicals.
8.Electric poles must be checked for breaks or damage and replaced immediately.
9.Fences should be checked regularly and all broken parts should be repaired.
MAINTENANCE OF FARM BUILDINGS
1.Painting is a maintenance operation desirable for wooden and metal parts of farm buildings. Parts exposed to rain should be treated with oil paint.
2.Damaged roofing sheets must be promptly replaced.
3.Cracks on walls should be patched.
4.Badly pitted cement floors should be resurfaced again.
5.Insect damage preventive chemicals e.g.Solignum should be applied on wooden parts.
WEEK TWO & THREE: MEANING OF A HOME MAKER
A home maker is someone who is responsible for the proper management of the home. A home maker can either be a man or a woman but mostly, a home maker is always a woman. The job of a home maker comes with no salary, benefits or vacation time however; it is one of the most valuable jobs in many families.
Home makers can also be define as women and men who organizes and perform duties of family household. These tasks include child care, cooking, cleaning, etc..
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HOME MAKER
1.He/she is responsible for taking proper care of the home.
2.He/she is responsible for taking care of the children.
3.He/she is responsible for cleaning the house
4.He/she cooks for the family
5.He/she serves as role model to the children
6.He/she teaches the children good morals
7.He/she make sure the children are well behaved.
8.He/she is responsible for the general welfare of the family.
QUALITIES OF A HOME MAKER
1.He/she must be hard working
2.He/she must be patient
3.He/she must be tolerant
4.He/she must be kind
5.He/she must be caring
6.He/she must be loving
7.He/she must be submissive.
WEEK THREE: SITING OF FARM AND LAYOUT OF FARM STRUCTURES
A farm is a piece of land on which crops are grown and animals are raised. The school farm is the practical site for students of Agricultural Science.
FACTORS GUIDING THE SITING OF FARMS
1.Availability of land: There can’t be a farm without a land, this is the first factor that must be considered.
2.Good soil: A land with fertile soil should be selected, in order to reduce cost of applying manure. Water logged soil should be avoided, so also, stony and over-used soils. Well drained soils such as loamy, sandy-loam or clay-loam are preferable.
3.Water supply: The farm must be located close to good source of water supply. Water is needed for irrigation, processing, drinking and cleaning of farm tools.
4.Nearness to school: This is closeness of the farm, it must be close enough in order to make movement to and from the farm easy for both teachers and students to aid monitoring against thieves and plots.
5.Accessibility: This will ease movement, the farm should have good roads and paths. This aids movements of inputs and outputs.
6.Security: The farm must be secure enough, to prevent thieves from stealing farm produce and tools.
7.Slope of the land: A flat level land should be used, in order to reduce erosion and cost of operation. The slope of the land will determine: (a) The direction of beds or ridges (b) Type of erosion control to adapt.
8.Aspect: The farm must not be surrounded by shades or tall trees, because they will hinder photosynthesis. The farm should be fully exposed to solar radiation.
FACTORS GUIDING LAYOUT OF FARM STRUCTURE AND BUILDING
The following factors must be considered before constructing farm structures and building
1.Fertility of the soil: structures should not be erected on fertile soil, this can rather be used for planting. Farm buildings or structures should be located on the least fertile parts of the farm.
2.Topography: Flat land should be used for construction to prevent erosion.
3.Accessibility: farm buildings or structures should be linked with good roads for easy access, should be constructed on easily accessible parts.
4.Construction Materials: materials available for construction must also be considered during farm layout, this is largely dependent on the financial status of the farmer e.g cement blocks, bamboo or sawn planks
5.Protection: Structures or buildings should be considered in areas where they will be protected from excessive winds, erosion or fire hazards.
WEEK FOUR: CULTURAL PRACTICES
PRE-PLANTING OPERATION
Cultural Practices: Cultural practices are the various ways of ensuring the good growth and establishment of crops. Cultural practices are classified into pre-planting, planting, post-planting, harvesting and storage operations
PRE-PLANTING OPERATIONS
These are the operations carried out before planting, while planting is the sowing of seeds. Post-planting operation include thinning, supplying, irrigation, manuring, mulching and weeding.
(a) Land Preparation: It is carried out by cutting the vegetation and grasses with cutlass or hoes and felling of trees with axes. It can also be done mechanically.
Burning of thrash (grasses) cut down is not a good habit since it destroys the organic matter content of the soil including soil microbes.
(b) Stumping: This is the removal of stumps by digging them out manually using cutlasses and axes. It can also be done mechanically by using bulldozer. Stumps are the left over of already cut trees on the farm on the soil surface.
(c) Farm layout: Farm layout is a judicious way of using the farmland where the plots are divided into sections and each section is used to give maximum yield.
(d) Tillage: This is the breaking or turning of the soil with a simple tool or farm machine after the land has been cleared in preparation for planting crops, it can be done manually with a hoe or mechanically with a Tractor – driven – disc- plough.
(e) Ploughing is cutting through the soil and making it into lumps or clods of soil called primary tillage. While secondary tillage (harrowing) is the use of harrow to break down the large clods of soil into fine particles and making it ready for ridging.
IMPORTANCE OF TILLAGE
1.It loses the soil and allows air and water to reach the roots of plants.
2.It allows easy penetration of roots into the soil.
3.Plant nutrients are brought to the reach of the plant root.
4.Tillage helps to destroy pest by exposing them to the sun.
5.It ensures proper mixture of manure and fertilizer with the soil.
(f) Ridging: This involves the making of ridges on the farm, sometimes heaps are also made to serve the purpose of ridges on slopes. Ridges are made across, with the ridges made at intervals to check erosion. Ridges also help to provide water for plant use and aid root penetration and establishment of crops.
WEEK THREE AND FOUR: THE FAMILY HOUSE
Family house is a place usually a building where family members live together as one. In any family house, there are different rooms or areas. Each room or area is usually used for different purposes or activities or functions. The rooms or areas of the family house that are furnished and used for different functions are called the functional rooms or areas of the house.. The functional areas are:
1.Sitting room
2.Bedroom
3.Dining room
4.Kitchen
5.Bathroom
6.Toilet.
7.Guest room.
8.Pantry/ store.
SITTING ROOM OR LIVING ROOM
Uses
1.It is used as a relaxation centre for family members.
2.It is used for receiving and entertaining visitors
3.Part of it can used as dining area.
4.Family pictures and other precious collections can be displayed there
5.It can be used for social activities, such as parties, meetings, e.t.c.
Sitting room furniture
1.A set of settee or chairs, these are available in different shapes, sizes and forms
2.A coffee or centre table
3.A set of side stools.
4.Wall cabinet or room divider, book shelf.
5.Optional items include television, radio, e.t.c. These are not pieces of furniture
6.The sitting room also requires floor coverings, curtains and other decorative accessories.
BEDROOM
USES
1.It is a place for sleeping or resting
2.It is a place for keeping important personal belongings, such as money, documents, clothes, jewelry, e.t.c.
3.It is a center for dressing and making up.
Bedroom furniture
1.bed: this can be made with different types of materials.
2.Mattress: this can be just foam or foam with spring interior
3.Wardrobe or closet: this can be inbuilt r a huge cupboard
4.A dressing table: this usually has a mirror mounted on it and a chest of drawers storage
5.A stool: this goes with the dressing table
6.Bedside cupboard: this can either be a part of the bed stand or a separate unit. It is used for storage.
7.we also have bed lines, pillows wardrobe or chests of drawers for clothes.
DINNING ROOM
This is the functional area of the home where the family members eat their meals. It can be a separate room or part of the sitting room.
Uses of dining room
1.It is used as a centre for family meals
2.It can be used for serving meals to visitors.
Dining room furniture
1.Dining table
2.Chairs
3.Side board or cupboard for storing cutlery, glasses, table mats, linens e.t.c. Drinks and food items, such as, beverages can also stored in the side-board.
KITCHEN
USES
It is used as a centre for
1.food storage
2. food preparation and cooking
3. meal service
Kitchen Furniture
1.Gas cooker
2.Storage cupboard with shelves
3.Sink with draining board
4.Kitchen taps fitted to the sink
5.Refrigerator and deep freezer where they can be afforded
6.Pestle and mortar, cooking pots and pans e.t.c.
BATHROOM AND TOILET
Uses
a. Bathroom is a place where family members have their bath
b. It is also used for cleaning up
c. Toilet is used to pass away faeces.
Bathrooms and toilet furniture
1.Bathtub with hot and cold water taps
2.A shower
3.A water closet
WEEK FIVE: PLANTING OPERATION – DISTANCE, DATE, SEED RATE, NURSERY
PLANTING OPERATION: These are the operations carried out when sowing the planting materials (seeds). When seeds are sown in the soil, they develop root and shoots, this is called GERMINATION and the young plant that emerge are called SEEDLINGS.
METHODS OF SOWING
1.In-situ (directly into the field/farm land)
2.Nursery
1. In-situ (directly sowing in the field): This is sowing directly in the field on flats (plain land) ridges or garden beds e.g of crops sown in-situ are maize, okra, cowpea, milled etc.
PLANTING METHODS
Drilling: – sowing a seed by drilling with stick or knife, followed by dropping seeds and covering them.
Broadcasting: – Sowing of seeds by casting (spreading) it broadly on prepared seed bed
Dibbling: – sowing of seeds up the bed at the planting point only and placing the seeds at the correct depth.
BASIC CONSIDERATIONS IN PLANTING OPERATIONS
Spacing (Planting, space/distance)
Time (planting date)
Depth
Number of seeds
Viability of seed
(A) SPACING (Planting space): This is the space between a sown or planted seed and the next or it’s the distance between two plants. Planting is usually in rows and the distance between plants on the same row is called within row spacing while the distance between plants in two adjacent rows is called between row spacing.
(B) PLANTING TIME: This is the time of planting or sowing seeds in which the crop can thrive or perform well.
(C) PLANTING DEPTH: This is the distance of the sown seed in the soil from the soil surface.
(D) NUMBER OF SEEDS: This is the amount of seeds sown per hole per planting point (position).
(E) SEED VIABILITY: This is the life in the seed or deadness of the seed.
WEEK: FIVE: MAINTENANCE OF THE FAMILY HOUSE
MATERIALS NEEDED FOR HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE
1.Broom
2.Brushes
3.Dusters
4.Mops
5.Dust pans
6.Dust bins
7.Pails
8.Buckets
9.Carpet sweeper
10.Vacuum cleaner.
GUIDELINES FOR HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE
1.Always set apart sometimes for daily, weekly and seasonal cleaning of the house.
2.Use the correct house cleaning materials or agents for specific surfaces e.g. abrasives like vim for scouring bath tubes.
3.Use house and vacuum cleaning equipment such as mops, brooms cleaners properly.
4.Store house cleaning equipment and materials properly and out of reach of children.
5.Each surface or object should be given the correct cleaning treatment.
6.Household waste should be properly dispose off on daily basis.
7.Always clean the surrounding of the houses clean by cutting the hedge and grasses and bay not allowing stagnant waters around the house
DAILY CLEANING OF SITTING ROOM
1.Open the doors and windows to air the room.
2.Sweep the floor and reach under all pieces of furniture.
3.Empty the waste paper basket.
4.Dust all surfaces, doors, windows and furniture.
5.Tidy up the cushions and arrange arm and head rests on the chairs.
6.Arrange furniture, newspaper, magazines and other items properly.
7.Put fresh flowers in the vase if necessary.
DAILY CLEANING OF DINING ROOM
1.Clean the table and remove any pieces of food.
2.Clean the table- mat and put them away.
3.Clean the table, dirty tables attracts flies.
4.Sweep off the pieces of food on the floor.
5.Dust the chairs and other pieces of furniture.
6.Arrange the chairs neatly.
7.Put fresh flowers.
DAILY CLEANING OF KITCHEN
1.Open the windows to air the room.
2.Sweep down cobwebs and dust from ceiling and walls.
3.Sweep the floor.
4.Wash any dirty plates and utensils.
5.Clean the sinks, draining board and the wall around it.
6.Wipe the stove or cooker.
7.Dust other surface in the kitchen e.g. cabinet, table, refrigerator.
8.Mop the floor.
9.Arrange the utensils.
10.Empty the dust bin or waste basket.
11.Sweep out the inside of the bin or basket using a stiff broom or brush.
12.Clean the broom or brush and put away properly.
DAILY CLEANING OF BATHROOM & TOILET
1.Sweep the floor with special broom.
2.Flush the toilet.
3.Remove debris, including bits of sponge.
4.Draw the shower curtain if in use.
5.Wash the bath tub and wash hand basin.
6.After each use, rinse the bath tub and mop up any water splashes on the floor.
7.Lift the seat of the W/C and sprinkle toilet cleaner such as “Harpic” inside the bowl.
8.Scrub the bowl with toilet brush, flush again.
9.Wipe the outside of the bowl, seat and cover using a suitable cloth.
10.Mop the floor.
11.Supply fresh toilet paper if necessary.
DAILY CLEANING OF THE BEDROOM
1.Open the windows and draw the curtains to air the room.
2.Take up mosquito net and adjust it neatly, if it is in use.
3.Dust the bedroom furniture.
4.Sweep the floor and brush the floor covering.
5.Make the bed.
6.Arrange the dressing table.
7.Clean the duster and put away neatly.
WEEK SIX: POST-PLANTING OPERATION
Post planting operations are the operations carried out after planting. It creates a good condition and proper maintenance for plants growth.
Post planting operations include the following:
(a) Thinning.
(b) Supplying.
(c) Irrigation/watering.
(d) Use of manure and fertilizer.
(e) Mulching.
(f) Weeding.
THINNING
This is the removal of excess, weak or not well positioned seedlings from a seedbed after the viable seeds have germinated.
ADVANTAGES OF THINNING
1.It helps to avoid overcrowding.
2.Proper aeration is ensured leading to high yield.
SUPPLYING
This is the replanting of propagative materials where they fail to germinate, especially when no germination trial was carried out before planting. Replanting should be done as soon as possible.
ADVANTAGES OF SUPPLYING
1.Correct plant population can be maintained.
2.The crop plant attains uniform maturity.
IRRIGATION OR WATERING
Irrigation is the artificial watering of farmland especially during dry season.
ADVANTAGES OF IRRIGATION
1.It makes the soil temperature moderate for plant growth.
2.It enables a good nutrient supply to plant.
USE OF MANURE & FERTILIZER
This is the application of organic manure such as poultry droppings, cow dung and green manure or inorganic manure (made from chemicals) to the soil to maintain soil fertility.
ADVANTAGE OF MANURE/FERTILIZER
It supplies the plants with essential nutrients.
MULCHING
This is the covering of the surface of the soil with a layer of clean dry vegetative part of plant such as grasses or leaves.
ADVANTAGES OF MULCHING
1.It conserves soil moisture.
2.It regulates the soil temperature.
3.It reduces weed and prevent erosion.
4.It adds humus to the soil.
WEEDING
This is the removal of unwanted plants (weed) from the farm. It is done for the following reasons:
1. To avoid competition for nutrients moisture and sunlight between crops and weed.
2. To avoid overcrowding in order to create enough space for the crop
3. To prevent the build-up of pest and pathogens which may destroy the crops.
HARVESTING OPERATION
Harvesting: The removal of ripe or matured useful part of a crop is known as harvesting. Commonly harvested parts of a plant are tubers, leaves, fruits, seeds, roots etc.
Harvesting tools like cutlass, hoe, knife, sickle etc are usually used for harvesting and in mechanized farms, harvesters are used.
EFFECTS OF TIMELY VERSUS LATE HARVESTING
Delayed harvesting can lead to a total loss of products, although some crops like maize can be left on the field to get dry before harvesting, others like tomatoes and other perishables must be harvested immediately they are due for harvest. Delayed harvesting can lead to pest attack on crops or rottening of products.
POST-HARVESTING OPERATIONS
After harvesting, processing of the produce is required in order to make the produce more acceptable and to prevent spoilage. In some farm products, processing starts from the farm site, e.g. melon, groundnut, cassava etc.
FARM LEVEL PROCESSING
Melon is usually extracted from its pod and pulp on the farm, also groundnut is detached on the farm, at times, peeling of cassava starts from the farm. Extraction of cocoa beans from its pods, fermentation and drying of beans in most cases take place on the farm.
Other forms of processing like milling, de-husking etc which cannot be done on the farm are done in factories where machines have been installed for that purpose.
STORAGE
After crops have been processed to usage forms, storage which is the keeping of farm products for future use is done. Methods of storage are: usage of barns, cribs, silos, refrigerators, baskets, sacks etc.
WEEK SIX AND SEVEN: FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
USES OF FLOWER IN THE FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF THE HOME
1.Flowers add beauty to the room and also provide a pleasing atmosphere
2.Flowers give soothing effect to the room
3.Flowers give sweet fragrance all the time
4.Flowers are pleasing to the eyes, refresh our body and mind
5.Flowers do not only create aesthetic sense but spruce up the place they are used at.
6.Flowers cheer up the emotions and express love for every member of the family.
SOME COMMON FLOWERS
Hibiscus
Pride of Barbados
Marigold
Bougainvillea
Lilies
Rose
Alamanda
Chrysanthemum
Queen of the night
Bachelor’s buttons
Zinnia
Forget-me-not
TYPES OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
There are different types of flower arrangements, which are suitable for different places and occasions. Some of them are:
1.Horizontal arrangement for dining and ceremonial high tables
2.Oral arrangements for large space
3.Crescent arrangement for dining tables
4.Circular arrangement for large space
5.Vertical arrangement for narrow space
6.Triangular arrangement for centre of table.
MATERIALS NEEDED FOR FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
1.Flowers
2.Flower vases
3.Pair of scissors or sharp knife
4.Water
5.Flower holder e.g. pin holders, small pebbles, floral foam
6.Little sugar.
WEEK SEVEN: FARMING SYSTEM: TYPES OF FARMING SYSTEM
FARMING SYSTEM
Farming system is a given method for the production of crops and animals. Soil, climate and availability of land can influence the choice of any system.
A) MIXED FARMING
This is a farming system where the farmer grows crops and rears animals on the same farm.
ADVANTAGES OF MIXED FARMING
1. Animal droppings and dungs can be used as manure to improve soil fertility, and invariably increase crop yield.
2. Crop residue from crop production can serve as feeding materials for ruminant animals (i.e. corn cobs and rice bran etc.)
3. Large animals like cattle can be used to till the ground for crop production.
4. If either crop or animal sector of the farm fails, the farmer has the other to fall back on.
DISADVANTAGES OF MIXED FARMING
1. The farmer has a divided attention and he may not function well.
2. If the animals are not properly managed, they can graze on the planted crops and destroy them.
B) BUSH FALLOWING OR SHIFTING CULTIVATION
Bush fallowing is a system of farming whereby a farmer abandons unproductive land for a productive one and allows the unproductive land to fallow or rest for some period of years (i.e. 3-5 years) before returning to it. This type of farming system is also known as land rotation. In shifting cultivation, the farmer never returns to the previous land.
ADVANTAGES OF BUSH FALLOWING
1. It is very cheap and simple to practice.
2. If the fallowing years are long enough, it is less injurious to the soil.
3 If the fallow period is not enough the soil quickly loses its fertility and becomes useless for further crop production.
DISADVANTAGES OF BUSH FALLOWING
1. A very large piece of land is needed for an effective practice of bush fallowing.
2. Bush fallowing is the main practice for land clearing, in bush fallowing the land clearing results in reduced organic matter of the soil.
3. If the fallow period is not enough the soil quickly loses its fertility and becomes useless for further crop production.
C) PASTORAL FARMING
This is an extensive system of livestock production where the animals are unrestricted left to roam and graze in the fields.
TYPES OF PASTORAL FARMING
There are three types of pastoral farming, these are:
1. Nomadic farming
2. Ley farming
3. Ranching
Nomadic Farming: The farmer moves his animals from one place to another in search of food and water.
Ley Farming: This is the system of combining pasture with crop production in alternation. The planting of pasture can follow the harvest of arable crops e.g. cereal. The planted pasture is usually a mixture of grasses and legumes with different grazing characteristics. It is also known as rotation pasture.
Ranching: It’s the semi-intensive system of animal production. The animals are kept on a large but enclosed expanse of land.
ADVANTAGES OF PASTORAL FARMING
1. Livestock kept on pasture are more comfortable and sanitary than those kept indoors in feed lots.
2. The livestock harvest the pasture crops by grazing thereby saving labor cost.
3. It does not require large financial investment for building and equipment.
4. The soil fertility is improved on through the manure they drop.
5. Animals raised on pasture tend to produce more milk than those kept indoors in feed lots.
DISADVANTAGES OF PASTORAL FARMING
1. It requires a large piece of land to be successfully practiced.
2. Animals in the open as well as their herdsmen are exposed to various hazards.
3. Unplanned breeding which leads to the production of poor quality animals.
4. Irregular supply of feed to animals and this result in slow weight gain.
5. High incidence of disease, pest and death of both young and old animals.
WEEK: EIGHT: CARE OF FAMILY CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD LINEN
Household linen is a term used collectively to include a variety of textile articles used in the home. A good supply of household linen is a very necessary item in the home; they are expensive and require good care.
TYPES OF HOUSEHOLD LINEN AND THEIR USES
A. CURTAINS AND DRAPERIES: These are fabrics or materials used for decorating our doors and windows. Curtains can be light or heavy, opaque or transparent.
Uses of Curtains and Draperies
1.They shade the room from excessive light and wind.
2.They beautify the room by adding colour to it.
3.They provide privacy for family.
4.They establish the character and mood of a room.
B. BED LINEN: Includes all the different types of fabrics materials used to make the bed. They are:
1.Mattress covers used for covering the mattress in order to protect it from dust and dirt
2.Bed sheets used for making the bed
3.Pillow cases used for covering the pillows
4.Bed spreads used as spread over a made bed and as a covering for the person lying on the bed
5.Blankets used as covering for warmth in cold nights.
1.Table clothes used for covering the table
2.Place mats used on the table for setting cover. The cover refers to the place set for one person on the dining table.
3.Table napkins used during meals for protecting your dress and for wiping the mouth and hands
4.Tea clothes used for wiping or cleaning the table.
D. BATHROOM LINEN: they are made up of
1.Bath-towels used for wiping the dry after bath
2.Face-towels; these are smaller than bath towels and they are used for cleaning the face.
E. KITCHEN LINEN
1.Hand towels used for wiping and drying hands
2.Oven gloves or cloths; they are often padded and used for taking out hot pans and dishes from the oven or top of the cooker.
3.Dish clothes are non-fluffy clothes used for wiping off spills on kitchen surfaces
4.Glass cloth for blotting off water or moisture from vegetables and fruits
5.Muslim; this is a light loosely woven fabric used for straining during food preparation e.g in the preparation of starch or coconut milk or soya milk.
6.Tea towels; used for blotting off water or moisture from vegetables and fruits and wiping glass-wares, crockery and cutlery
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SELECTION OF HOUSEHOLD LINEN
The following points are to be considered when selecting household linen
1.What the linen is to use for
2.The type of fabric
3.Durability of the fabric
4.Size of the bed and pillows should be considered when choosing bed sheets, mattress covers e.t.c.
5.All types of towels should be soft and absorbent
6.Household linen should be colour-fast
7.The needs of the family
8.The size of the family
9.Money available.
WEEK EIGHT: TYPES OF CROPPING SYSTEM
CROPPING SYSTEM
The different patterns of growing crops and mixtures of crops is known as cropping system.
A. MONOCROPPING
Monocropping is a cropping system that involves the growing/planting of only one type of crop on a farm at any given time. e.g. oil palm plantation.
ADVANTAGES OF MONOCROPPING
1. Easy mechanization of the farm.
2. Application of fertilizer at proper level is made easy.
3. Control of weeds, pests and diseases are easily carried out.
DISADVANTAGES OF MONOCROPPING
1. There is the possibility of exposing the land to erosion after harvest.
2. The farmer may lose heavily if the sole crop is attacked by pest or diseases.
3. Reduced selling price, if the demand for the crop is low in market due to much supply.
B. MULTIPLE CROPPING
Multiple cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops on the same farm in the same
year. There are two types of multiple cropping, these are:
1. Relay cropping
2. Inter cropping
Relay Cropping: is the act of growing two or more crops one after the other on the same farm in the same year.
Inter Cropping: entails the growing of two or more different crops on the same farm at the same time.
ADVANTAGES OF MULTIPLE CROPPING
1. Maximum use of farm land is achieved.
2. Mixture of crops provides cover for the soil and it helps reduce soil erosion as well as the growth of weeds.
3. Mixture of crops discourages the buildup of insects and diseases known with a particular crop.
4. Mixture of crops serves as a form of insurance for the farmer.
DISADVANTAGES OF MULTIPLE CROPPING
1. Competition between crop plants is very high and less competitive plants suffer with low yield.
2. It is difficult to use machine to carry out farm operations under this system.
3. Chemicals especially herbicides are difficult to apply to a mixture of crops.
C. CONTINUOUS CROPPING
This involves the growing of the same crop or mixture of crops on the same piece of land every year for five or more years.
ADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS CROPPING
It is highly useful where there is shortage of land and the environmental condition limits the types of crop to be grown.
DISADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS CROPPING
1. The soil nutrients are depleted fast and there is the need for fertilizer application.
2. There is rapid buildup of weeds, insect pests and diseases every cropping year.
WEEK NINE
Field Work
WEEK TEN
Revision
WEEK NINE: CARE OF FAMILY CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD LINEN
CLOTHING REPAIRS
Garments repair involves two methods. They are darning and patching.
DARNING: Darning is a method of repairing or mending thin pieces and small holes in garments. This process involves weaving strong thread into the material to replace or strengthen worn threads. Darning can be done with machines or by hand.
STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN USING DARNING
1.Choose thread which matches the fabric in terms of colour, thickness and texture
2.Work darn on wrong side of the fabric
3.Use fine darning needle
4.Draw the edges of the tear together with herringbone stitch
5.Darn along the selvedge first
6.Leave loops at the ends of each other row to allow for shrinkage
7.Sew round the hole and over the thin areas.
TYPES OF DARNING
1.Darning a hole/tear
2.Stocking dams
3.Hedge tear darn
PATCHING: Patching is a method of replacing worn areas of fabric with strong pieces of materials. It will look better when materials of the same colours, designs and texture are used for the patch and matching colours of the thread. The patch can be cut into squares, rectangle or triangles. Patchwork can be used on all soft furnishing. The patch should be large enough to cover the hole, selvedge threads should matched with selvedge threads and weft to weft.
TYPES OF PATCHING
Calico patch
Print patch
Woven patch
WEEK TEN: CARE OF FAMILY CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD LINEN
METHODS OF STORING FAMILY CLOTHING
Family clothing can be stored in the following storage spaces:
1.A wardrobe or closet
2.A box, suitcase, bags
3.A chest of drawers or shelves.
WARDROBE OR CLOSET
Storing clothes in the wardrobe with the use of good quality plastic hangers is the best method of storing clothes. Some wardrobe units consist of a section for hanging clothes, a section with shelves for folded clothes, the bottom part for shoes, the top having fitted doors for storing suit cases and boxes. Wardrobes prevent clothes from creasing and help them to maintain their original shape.
GUIDELINES FOR STORING CLOTHES IN WARDROBE/CLOSET
1.Keep the wardrobe clean regularly and away from ants, cockroaches and house hold pests
2.Put camphor balls on the wardrobe to keep away cockroaches and ants
3.Use good quality hangers to hang clothes. Do not use metal or iron made hangers
4.Do not overcrowd the wardrobe with clothes
5.Hang similar items together in a place for easy identification
6. Keep clothes in the wardrobe according to the fabric types for example woolen materials can be folded inside the shelves/drawers. Thick fabric clothes e.g. skirts, trousers can be hanged from the waist band. Suits can be hanged to prevent them from being rumpled
7.Keep the wardrobe away from dust but save the clothes from dust and dirt by covering them with white water proof bags
8.Air and brush the clothes always to prevent mould and dust
9.Iron the clothes before storing them in the wardrobe.
BOXES/SUITCASES/BAGS
Good quality boxes, suitcases and bags can be used to store clothes. Do not select boxes, bags made from metal or easy to peel fabrics for storing your clothes, else they will leave permanent marks or stains on the clothes.
GUIDELINES FOR STORING CLOTHES IN BOXES/SUITCASES/BAGS
1.Store only clean clothes
2.Iron the clothe properly before storing them in the box
3.Fold properly the ones that are not ironed before storing them in the bag or suitcases
4.Keep the box, bag or suitcase clean
5.Close the bag or suitcase properly to prevent dust
6.Put some camphor balls in the box, suitcase and bags to keep away insects.
DRAWERS OR SHELVES.
Constructed drawers and shelves made with suitable wood and highly finished can be used to store clothes
GUIDELINES FOR STORING CLOTHES IN DRAWERS OR SHELVES.
1.Store only clean clothes
2.Iron the clothes before storing
3.Fold and arrange the clothes properly inside drawers and shelves
4.Arrange the clothes according to their use for easy location
5.Put some camphor balls inside the drawers and shelves to keep away insects.
ACCESSORIES: Accessories are items worn by everyone apart from clothes to complete one are dressing. Examples are shoes, handbags, jewelry, hat , make ups, scarf etc.
Shoes are articles we put on our feet to protect them from dirt.
Care Of Shoes
1.Clean your shoes immediately after each use
2.Repair your shoes as soon as they cut
3.Stuff your shoes with clean old newspaper or shoe trees to keep them in shape
4.Arrange them on shoe rack or shelf.
Jewelry: Jewelry are earrings, necklaces, rings, broaches, bangles etc. that we put on.
Care Of Jewelry
1.Get a small suitable box or container with cover lined with soft cloth or wool for storage of jewelry
2.Arrange the jewelry properly in the box or container
3.Keep the box closed always to avoid dust and rusting
4.Keep jewellery away from liquid e.g. water, kerosene
5.Clean jewelry according to type e.g. gold, silver, when dirty.
GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR MAINTAINING HOUSEHOLD LINEN
1.Dirty or soiled linen such as bed sheets should be kept in a covered basket or laundry bag until they are laundered
2.Some linen such as napkins and floor clothes should be washed immediately after each use
3.Care must be taken to remove all stains during washing process
4.Washed linen should be properly ironed and aired
5.Fold the aired linen properly
6.Heavy linen such as bed sheets should be stored in dry airy shelves in a cupboard. Storage cupboard should be strong
7.Small light articles, such s tea clothes, napkins, place mats may be kept in drawers.
8.Cover stored linen with Mushin or other suitable material to prevent dust from settling on them.
9.Similar articles e.g. sheets, pillow cases, towels e.t.c. should be kept together
10.Mend the linen as soon as a tear is noticed. Linen should not be stored in a fray or torn condition.
11.Keep linen in good repair as long as possible.
