Gardening For Women - free ebook by Frances Garnet Wolseley

GARDENING FOR WOMEN

BY THE HON. FRANCES WOLSELEY PRINCIPAL OF THE GLYNDE SCHOOL FOR LADY GARDENERS IN SUSSEX WITH THIRTY-TWO ILLUSTRATIONS CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED London, Paris, New York, Toronto and Melbourne 1908 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED...

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INTRODUCTION

How often it is that Fate places us amongst people whose characters, pursuits, and tastes we do not know! We hesitate how best to melt that barrier of icy reserve and shyness behind which we English remain frozen. How can we speedily break through the reserve which rises up between us and the stranger near us? There is at least one subject of conversation which usually calls forth a response—it is gardening. Whether our neighbour be politician, soldier, architect, or painter, he will surely list

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CHAPTER I GARDENING AS A PROFESSION FOR WOMEN

Daughters of many professional men are obliged to earn a living. It often happens that the head of the family, after years of hard work, has to retire owing either to illness or age. His pension is a small one, and it becomes necessary for his daughters, as well as his sons, to make a career for themselves. They have been accustomed, perhaps, to a comfortable home, with a considerable number of luxuries, and the question as to the best method of earning a living must necessarily be a difficult o

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CHAPTER II THE TRAINING REQUIRED

There are various ways of obtaining the necessary training to be a lady gardener. Both at home and abroad numerous colleges and schools exist where young women are well instructed in all branches of Horticulture. A college course is necessary, but if a girl is not more than twenty years of age (and it is advisable that she should not be much younger when she commences her training) it will help her to be apprenticed for a year or two first in a private garden. Should she prefer, it will be bette

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CHAPTER III LANDSCAPE GARDENING

This wide field of study is one which women are well suited to, provided they have brains and good taste. In order to be really successful, imagination is required, as well as other qualities that are needed by an ordinary head gardener. No amount of study or training can adapt an inartistic woman to this profession, but given artistic feeling, the power of conveying her ideas to her employers and to those working for her, great possibilities are within reach. Many fail, perhaps, by a headstrong

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CHAPTER IV JOBBING GARDENING AND FLORAL DECORATION

Often, as we drive through London suburbs, we see remains of some former stately Georgian house. Perhaps, a hundred and fifty years ago, when it was built, it stood isolated, with only a quiet country village near by. In the gardens were hedges of rosemary and lavender, fruitful pear trees were trained upon high walls, a slender little lady in a flowered brocade made sweet pot pourri with pink rose leaves. All that now remains of the garden is a small Adams summer house, built up into the wall,

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CHAPTER V THE TEACHING OF NATURE-STUDY

When, at Christmas time, we search the shelves of a London book shop, to find fresh “Golliwog” adventures or new fairy tales, are we not struck by the importance given to another class of child’s book? “The Fairchild Family,” “Struwelpeter,” Hans Andersen’s tales, books that we were brought up upon, are superseded by a totally new kind. Anything relating to living things, birds, mammals, plants, wild flowers, fruit, is what we now give our children. In short, nature-study, and everything connect

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TOOLS

The lady-gardener can turn her attention to the question of tools when she has carefully looked round her new garden and when she knows how many men are to be employed. A list should then be made of those that are wanted, and they should all be ordered together, as by that means they will be cheaper. Those of an inferior quality should not be obtained just for the sake of saving a few shillings. They are dear at any price, so the best should be had and treated well. I have known instances of spa

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OTHER REQUISITES

Medicine Chest. —There will often be exposure to rough weather. A bottle of Eau de Cologne saturated with camphor is a necessity. It should be rubbed on the skin after washing, and it will tone it up and keep the surface smooth. It is a good hair tonic, and relieves headache; it also takes away toothache, and twenty drops on a lump of sugar will generally prevent a cold after working in damp weather. Scrubbs’ cloudy ammonia put into a very hot bath is refreshing after a hard day. Quinine is indi

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CHAPTER VIII COTTAGE AND FOOD

The question of finding a suitable cottage for a lady gardener is sometimes considered a difficulty by employers. But this need not be so. As a rule, the cottage stands alone in the kitchen garden, or near by, and what is large enough for a married man with many children will suit a lady admirably. IN THE GARDEN AT FORTFIELD HOUSE, TERENURE, CO. DUBLIN. BELONGING TO L. PERRIN HATCHELL, ESQ., AND IN WHICH MISS HESTER PERRIN DEVOTES MUCH TIME AND LABOUR. Photograph by Pictorial Agency. A lady gard

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CHAPTER IX MARKET GARDENING

This is a branch of horticulture which requires great consideration and careful reflection, before a lady undertakes it. It needs both brains and capital. Market gardening resembles that larger sphere of jobbing combined with nursery gardening which is described towards the end of Chapter IV. Possibly less artistic sense is necessary, but far larger business capacity is essential. To succeed at all everything grown must be of the best quality, and suit the prevailing demand. There are fashions i

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CHAPTER X THE MEDICAL ASPECT OF GARDENING FOR WOMEN

Anxious parents often ask whether gardening is a really healthy occupation for their daughters. These doubts, shared by many, are perhaps not so easily dispelled as, at the outset, might be supposed. We are all prone to view with suspicion any project which has for its purpose the fitting of women for the more arduous tasks of life. “For men must work and women must weep” is what we are accustomed to hear. We know that amongst all primitive peoples it has been found that women are capable physic

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BOARD AND LODGING

In the other colonies it is generally from 2s. to 8s. per doz. articles, irrespective of size....

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OUTFIT

The same clothes are needed in South Africa as in England, except that furs are not necessary, and a larger supply of washing dresses, etc., are needed for the longer summers. Wool of some sort must always be worn next the skin, even if it is only a cholera belt in the hottest weather, on account of the sudden falls in the temperature. In the Transvaal and Orange River Colony the winters are bitterly cold, and warm underwear is there very necessary. Warm wraps are essential, as the nights seem b

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CHAPTER XII ITALIAN POT GARDENS: A SUGGESTION

A well-known French horticulturist, director of many parks, once gave most flattering praise to an English garden. He called it “ un jardin intime .” These three words sum up what most of us wish our gardens to be. We bring to them, from other countries, plants that recall pleasant memories. As we watch these growing happily in our herbaceous borders, thoughts come to us of those who gave them, of happy meetings, and unforgotten scenes. In England we make real friends of our gardens; we confide

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CHAPTER XIII FOR THOSE WHO HESITATE TO EMPLOY LADY GARDENERS

Many ladies who own large gardens take personal interest in the arrangement of the grounds. Not only do they wish to have beautiful, sweet smelling flowers in glasses and bowls to adorn their rooms; they also aspire to have plants grouped harmoniously in herbaceous borders and in formal beds. There has arisen a kind of competition to have as good a garden, if not a better one, than our neighbour. In the case of some specially gifted and energetic ladies, lovely gardens have been created, through

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THE THATCHAM FRUIT AND FLOWER FARM SCHOOL OF GARDENING, HENWICK, NEAR NEWBURY

Principals : Lily Hughes Jones , F.R.H.S.; Mary Peers , F.R.H.S. ( 1st Class Certificates and Bee Experts ) The farm is situated on high ground in the Kennet Valley, facing south, one and three-quarter miles from Newbury, two miles from Thatcham Station, about twelve miles from Reading, and one-quarter mile from the Bath Road. The residence is a roomy old farm-house, facing south. Its position is thoroughly healthy, 400 feet above sea level. An old-fashioned garden lies to one side of the house,

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INSTRUCTION IN PRACTICAL GARDENING FOR LADIES, GLYNDE, NEAR LEWES, SUSSEX

Principal : The Hon. Frances Wolseley Patrons : The Lady Ardilaun , Miss G. Jekyll , Miss White , E. O. Greening, Esq. , W. Robinson, Esq. , Mrs. Charles Earle , Miss Willmott The school was founded in 1901–2, and is supervised by the Hon. Frances Wolseley. The number of students is limited, and great care is taken as to their selection. A personal interview and the highest references are required before admission. The following arrangements for the course of work are a development upon speciali

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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, READING

Principal : W. M. Childs , M.A., Keble College, Oxford (Professor of Modern History). Director of the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture : Professor John Percival , M.A., St. John’s College, Cambridge. Assistant Directors : Edward Brown , F.L.S. (Agriculture); Charles Foster , F.R.H.S. (Horticulture). Registrar : Francis H. Wright . The day classes of the college are open to men and women students over the age of sixteen. Students who do not live at their own homes are required to reside

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THE HORTICULTURAL COLLEGE, SWANLEY

Principal : Miss F. R. Wilkinson Vice-Principal and Secretary : Miss M. Kekewich Lady Superintendent : Mrs. Watson , South Bank, Swanley Bee-keeping , W. Herrod , F. E. S. Book-keeping , H. W. Kersey (Lecturer on Book-keeping, Wye College). Botany, Vegetable Pathology , R. J. Tabor , F. L. S. Dairy , Miss Dawson , N. D. D. (Certificate Midland Dairy Institute). [3] Entomology , F. V. Theobald , M. A., F. L. S. (Lecturer on Entomology, Wye College). Gardening , Miss Villiers-Stuart . [3] Greenhou

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STUDLEY HORTICULTURAL COLLEGE, STUDLEY, WARWICKSHIRE

Founder : The Countess of Warwick Warden : Miss Mabel C. Faithful Horticulture , Mr. W. Iggulden , F.R.H.S., and Mr. W. Sarsons ; Botany , Mr. W. B. Groves , M.A. ( Cantab ); Poultry , Mr. George A. Palmer ; Dairy Farming and Agriculture , Dairy Instructress , Miss K. A. Baynes , N.D.D., B.D.F.A., Diploma; Book-keeping and Business Training , Mr. A. E. M. Long (Chartered Accountant); Apiculture , Mr. W. Herrod , F.E.S.; Fruit Bottling and Jam Making , Miss Cran ; Cooking Lessons , Miss Faithfull

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ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY OF LONDON PRACTICAL GARDENING SCHOOL FOR LADIES

Held in the Society’s Gardens, Regent’s Park , and officially recognised by the Technical Education Board of the London County Council. The course of instruction extends over three years, and commences on October 1st. Outdoor Work. —Ground operations, implements used; levelling with borning rods; draining; formation of paths, beds, and lawns; trenching, digging and hoeing; preparation for planting, etc.; care of lawns—mowing with machine, sweeping, weeding, and rolling; flower gardening—herbaceo

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THE EDINBURGH SCHOOL OF GARDENING FOR WOMEN, CORSTORPHINE, EDINBURGH

Miss Barker and Miss Morison , Diplomées of Swanley Horticultural College; Certificated Gardeners, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh The objects of this school are to prepare women for the various branches of practical professional gardening—to fit them for managing a market garden, or for taking charge of private gardens—and to give instruction to those who wish to devote themselves with intelligence to gardening as a private interest. Situation. —The gardens are situated on the south slope of Co

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CLASSES TAKEN AT THE EDINBURGH AND EAST OF SCOTLAND COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

Horticulture , Mr. G. P. Berry . Agricultural Chemistry , A. Lauder, D.Sc. Agricultural Natural History , R. S. MacDougall, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E. Botany ( Advanced and Elementary ), R. S. MacDougall, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E....

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The Year’s Work

The following sketch calendar of the actual work shared in by the students month by month may be of service to those who have little practical acquaintance with gardening. No sketch of this kind can show all the details of daily work, and the separation into months is merely for convenience, as in almost every case the work of one month overlaps with that of another. Certain operations, such as hoeing and weeding, extend throughout the greater part of the year; plants under glass require daily a

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ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, GLASNEVIN, DUBLIN, IRELAND

F. W. Moore, Esq., Director of the above gardens, is kind enough to admit two ladies as students in horticulture. No fees are charged, and there is no remuneration of any sort given. There is no syllabus, as the students work under the immediate direction of Mr. Moore. They obtain a thorough knowledge of general garden practice. Cross pollination, collecting seeds, fruit pruning, and all kinds of work, both indoors and out-of-doors, is taught. It is not possible to obtain a more general gardenin

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THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL NORWOOD TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, KNIGHT’S HILL, WEST NORWOOD

The following are the syllabuses: Stage I.—(Elementary): Fridays, 9–10; Practical Class, 7.30–9. Stage II. (Advanced): Fridays, 6.30–7.30; Practical Class, 7.30–9 Lecturer : Miss Eva Whitley, B.Sc. Stage I. (Covering the London Matriculation Syllabus) Elementary. —The study of the typical flowering plant; the form and function of the plant organs and the variations which adapt them to special conditions; the inflorescence; the pollination and fertilisation of flowers, fruits and seeds; germinati

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BROWNHILL ROAD EVENING SCIENCE, ART, ETC., COMMERCIAL CENTRE, CATFORD, S.E.

Five shillings the session is charged to students over sixteen, and 2s. 6d. to those under sixteen, for one or more subjects, including science and art. Instructor : Mr. G. Alford In the first stage, students will investigate the external features, general structure, mode of life, surroundings, life-history, and habits of flowering plants, yeast, frog, amœba, etc. In the second stage the subjects of the elementary class will be studied more fully, together with the earthworm, crayfish, dogfish,

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BLOOMFIELD ROAD EVENING COMMERCIAL AND SCIENCE AND ART CENTRE, PLUMSTEAD

Five shillings the session for one or more subjects, including science and art, for students over sixteen. For those under sixteen, 2s. 6d. per session for one or more subjects. Instructor : Mr. W. P. Bolas The lectures will cover but not be confined to the syllabus of the Board of Education. Every assistance will be given to those engaged in the teaching of Nature study. Practical work with experiments forms a special feature of the course. Formation of collections of dried specimens of leaves,

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KILMORIE ROAD EVENING COMMERCIAL AND ART CENTRE, FOREST HILL, S.E.

Five shillings fee per session is charged to students over sixteen, and 2s. 6d. per session to those under sixteen. The syllabus of the Royal Horticultural Society will be taken Elementary principles on which horticultural practice is based. —Soils, good and bad; their mineral composition; chemical nature of fertilisers and their respective values. The physiological values of water, heat, and air in plant growth. The structure of seeds and their modes of germination; the chemical phenomena of ge

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BELGIUM

I am told upon good authority that although up to the present moment no schools of horticulture have been founded for ladies, the Government is contemplating the institution of one. In 1907 six young ladies joined the classes of the Government School of Horticulture at Ghent. At the Vilvorde Government School of Horticulture three young women (foreigners) followed the school training, and one of them received a diploma. Quite recently a horticultural section has been opened in the Pensionnat d’H

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DENMARK

I have received the following report from the National Council of Women of Denmark, Copenhagen. There are in Denmark no horticultural colleges for women only. But the colleges and schools admit women, and usually on the same conditions as men....

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I.—DEN KONGELIGE VETERINOR AND LAND BOHOJSKOLE

( The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural College ),...

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Copenhagen

(Public State Institution), has also a division for horticulture. The training is chiefly theoretical, and does not include practical gardening, which must be learned elsewhere. The course lasts for two years (of two terms each), and leads up to a state examination; the candidate who successfully passes this has the title of “havebrugskandidat.” Certain entrance qualifications are required. The entrance fee is 10 kr., [4] the fee per term (two terms a year), about 50 kr.; the examination fees, P

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II.—HAVEBRUGSHOJSKOLEN “VILVORDE” PR. CHARLOTTENLUND, NEAR COPENHAGEN

This is a residential school for gardeners, both men and women. A full course is of two or two-and-a-half years, comprising both practical and theoretical training. The preferable age for students is from eighteen to twenty. To be admitted the student must have been occupied with gardening for two years. If there is room students without this qualification may be admitted, but these must stay three years at the school. In the summer theory is studied from 6 till 10 a.m., practical work, 10.30 a.

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III.—THE ROYAL GARDENS AT ROSENBORG CASTLE, COPENHAGEN

Both men and women pupils are received, for a two years’ course. The training is chiefly practical. Theoretical instruction is given during winter in two lessons of two hours each a week in the mornings, and three lessons of two hour each in the afternoons. In summer there are some lessons in botany. During their training men get 10 kr. a month the first year, 24 kr. the second. Women get nothing the first year, 10 kr. a month the second, but then they have not exactly the same work. A practical

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GERMANY

I am permitted to publish the following extracts, and they have been kindly put into English for me by a friend. They give an interesting description of the commencement of a school which is now one of the most famous in Germany. I am told, upon good authority, that posts for lady gardeners are easily obtained; in fact, that the demand is greater than the supply. The salaries vary from 400 marks to 2,000 marks and free living. The posts are chiefly in private gardens, sanatoria, and house-keepin

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DR. ELVIRA CASTNER’S SCHOOL OF POMOLOGY AND HORTICULTURE, MARIENFELDE

By Marie C. Vorwerk In 1877 a German lady-student was living in the American seaport of Baltimore. She loved in her leisure hours to seek the harbour and watch the ships come and go. One day in autumn she saw with astonishment, from a train of perhaps fifteen to twenty coaches, an immense quantity of small square boxes unloaded and brought to a ship. On inquiry as to their contents, where they came from, and whither bound, she was told they were apples from California, destined for Germany, and

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POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SCHOOL FOR WOMEN, AT WOLFENBÜTTEL

Conducted by Martha Breymann The object of the two-years’ course is to give the most comprehensive instruction in horticulture, so as to afford ladies the opportunity of fitting themselves for an independent career in husbandry; or by a one year’s course to be able to occupy their time usefully and happily in cultivating their own ground. Besides the correct working of the ground, the aim is to teach the pupils to know for themselves the most necessary work and its proper execution, and to turn

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THE MARIENBURG SCHOOL FOR LADY GARDENERS

Station : Leutesdorf Pier : Andernach (with ferry connection to Leutesdorf) Course for Educated Women in Horticulture and Forcing Marienburg lies close to the Rhine, in Leutesdorf. The larger agricultural property, with ornamental park, fruit and vegetable garden, greenhouses, hot-beds belonging to Neuwied, a neighbouring country residence, serve as the practical field of work for the school. All the labour needed is done by the students. The school is in two buildings, with single-and double-be

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SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE FOR LADIES, AT HOLTENAU, NEAR KIEL, SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

“I willingly comply with the request to contribute a short report of my work in connection with the above institution, which I founded in 1901. “It is beautifully situated on an elevation gently sloping south towards Kiel Harbour, near the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal. It contains two hot-houses, eighty forcing frames, about 500 fruit trees of all sorts and kinds, a grand assortment of shrubs, ornamental trees and conifers. Two alleys of high-grown pear trees (interlaced) in the shape of a large cross f

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AUGUSTE-FÖRSTER INSTITUTION, OBERZWEHREN (KREIS CASSEL)

The Kassel Society for the Education of Women has provided in the Auguste-Förster Institute a country school where young girls and women may obtain a thorough training in three different departments: viz., horticulture, domestic economy, and poultry and pig-rearing, etc. The instruction, combining theoretical information and practical work, is given by accomplished female teachers. Six to eight scholars can be taken for each department. The duration and direction of the course are regulated by t

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HOLLAND

The following notes were sent me by a lady in Holland, and have been kindly put into English by a friend. They describe briefly the school recently opened near The Hague (Station of Rijswyk). The name of the school is “Huis te Lande,” and it is built in the style of an English country house. It is managed by Mesdames J. Kuyst and C. Pompe . On a medallion over the entrance the following motto is inscribed. “Think great thoughts, do great deeds.” The students are all girls of good position and we

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GOVERNMENT WINTER SCHOOL FOR GARDENING (HORTICULTURE)

Practical experiments are also carried out during the summer at Aalsmeer. Age of Admission. —16. Requirements. —Knowledge of the Dutch language, of arithmetic, geography, rudiments of German and English. Some idea of gardening (to be given verbally). Fees. —Fl. 10, for two winter terms. Pupils without means can receive free admission from the Minister of the Interior. The fee for the summer term at Aalsmeer is fl. 25. Implements or tools. —Cost fl. 9 or fl. 10. The theoretical instruction compri

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COURSE OF HORTICULTURAL STUDY AT THE ACADEMY AT LEIDEN

Requirements. —Instruction received at the High School, or diploma for Secondary Primary Instruction, knowledge of foreign languages. Fees. —For the theory lessons, one hour a week, fl. 30 for three months; for the theory lessons, two hours a week, fl. 50 for three months; for the theory lessons, three hours a week, fl. 60 for three months. The course extends over one and a half to two years. There is also a similar course of study at the Gröningen Academy. Other Schools of Gardening in Holland

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ITALY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC ECONOMY,

Cascine, Florence, 1907 This institute was founded on the initiative of several ladies, with the object of instructing girls in the different branches of agriculture and domestic economy, by giving them theoretical and practical ideas, which will enable them to employ their valuable energy in the domain of agriculture and good house-keeping. The school opens its classes in November. The training lasts six months. The classrooms are in the left wing of the grand ducal palace, on the Piazzole del

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NORWAY

The Norwegian agricultural high school has a special class for horticulture, and here ladies are given the highest education. After two years’ study they obtain the title of “Cand-horticulture,” which means a certificated gardener. Before being admitted, it is necessary to have done practical work in a garden for two years, and to have passed an examination in a smaller school of horticulture. The three following are the lower schools:— Berly school for lady gardeners was established in 1901. It

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SWEDEN

Through the kindness of a friend I am able to give a translation of the prospectus of the...

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GARDENING SCHOOL AT AGDATORP,

a practical school for lady gardeners. The summer term begins on April 1st. The school, which is helped by the State and “Blekinge hushållningssållśkap,” takes students of all classes of society. STUDENTS AT WORK AT THE AGDATORP SCHOOL OF GARDENING, SWEDEN. The chief object of the school is to spread a knowledge of gardening, and interest in it, amongst the daughters of the country population. There are two different divisions. A student of Division I. has to pay 100 kr. (£5 10s.) at the commenc

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ESPENÄS SCHOOL FOR LADY GARDENERS

Postal Address : Lännäs. Railway Stations : Kilsmo, Sköllersta, and Wingaker. Steamboat Pier : Hampetorp. Steamer : “Gustav Lagerbjelde.” Espenäs is beautifully situated close to the Lake “Store Hjälmaren.” The school was founded in 1899. The term commences on April 15th and ends on October 15th. The teaching is both practical and theoretical. The subjects taught are: General gardening, kitchen gardening, flowers for beds and borders; the care of hot-houses and frames, glazing, painting, making

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SWITZERLAND

The following account of the only school for lady gardeners in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, has been very kindly sent to me by Madame Chaponniere, President de l’Alliance Nationale de Sociétés Féminines Suisses. I give the report in her words:—...

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ÉCOLE PROFESSIONNELLE D’HORTICULTURE POUR LES FEMMES

à Nieder-Lenz, Canton d’Argovie, Suisse La seule école professionnelle d’horticulture pour les femmes, existant actuellement en Suisse, est celle de Nieder-Lenz fondée en 1906, par la “Société d’Utilité Publique des Femmes Suisses,” à Nieder-Lenz, dans un joli domaine, situé sur la ligne de chemin-de-fer du Seethal dans le Canton d’Argovie. Le programme de l’école comprend différentes catégories de cours:— 1. Des cours de deux années destinés aux femmes désirant faire de l’horticulture leur prof

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THE UNITED STATES

The conditions under which women work in America are very unlike those that exist in England. Schools and colleges are founded upon a different basis; therefore work done in America cannot be strictly compared to that done in England. Each of the forty-five states in the United States has a college of agriculture. These institutions are supported by public funds. They are open to men and women alike, and both work together. That is to say, these institutions are co-educational. These colleges co

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NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NEW YORK

The equipment is divided into two parts—that which is associated with the classroom and laboratories in the second and basement floors of the main agricultural building, and that connected with the forcing-houses and grounds surrounding them. 1. Class rooms and laboratories. —The teaching activities are centred mainly in the headquarters of the department, located on the second floor of the main building in the agricultural compound. On this floor are a commodious lecture room with a seating cap

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LOWTHORPE SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE FOR WOMEN, AT GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Founded by Mrs. Edward Gilchrist Low Landscape architecture. —Mr. J. F. Dawson , with Olmsted Brothers . The garden and its accessories. — Mr. Loring Underwood. Study of trees and shrubs. — Miss Laura Blanchard Dawson. Drawing and garden design. — Miss Gertrude F. Sanderson. Surveying and engineering. — Mr. Stephen Child. Botany: Greenhouse work and gardening out-of-doors. — Miss L. L. Hetzer. Study of trees and shrubs. —Lectures with field walks. Study of trees from winter buds, and in leaf. St

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PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE FOR WOMEN

The plan of the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women has originated in the desire to offer to women an opportunity to fit themselves for an occupation at once healthful, pleasant, profitable, peculiarly fitted to their gifts, and in which they have ever taken an intelligent interest and active part. Our purpose is to offer to these earnest-minded women a training in the principles and practice of horticulture and allied subjects, knowing that really skilled labour can always find a mark

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THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS, ST. LOUIS, MO.

The Trustees of the garden offer theoretical and practical instruction in gardening, with a certain number of competitive scholarships. These scholarships are not open to women. The course of instruction can, however, be taken by women who are ready to bear their own expenses and pay the nominal fee of $25 per annum. Only one young woman has so far completed the course. This lady, Miss Eda A. Sutermeister, 1637, Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri, has become an accomplished landscape architect. One

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NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NEW YORK

Normal Work.—Two-Year Special Course in Nature-Study. —This course is organised to help persons who expect to teach nature-study and country-life subjects in the public schools. Persons actually engaged in teaching, and also all persons in the University who signify their intention to teach, are eligible. A certificate will be given on the completion of 60 hours in the courses prescribed below, together with such other work in the College of Agriculture as may be approved by the director. Design

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ARGENTINA; BUENOS AIRES

The following information is all that I can ascertain. There are no special horticultural colleges for ladies in this country, but they are admitted to all the agricultural colleges. They may take the same degrees as men. As yet only one lady has received the highest degree accorded, namely Agricultural Engineer, and two others are now studying. No opening for women in this sphere of activity has presented itself so far, but I am informed that undoubtedly very soon the public will appreciate the

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THE MACDONALD SCHOOL GARDENS

The following information relative to the School Garden movement is taken from a paper written by Mr. R. H. Cowley, and originally published in the Queen’s Quarterly . In the spring of 1904 a group of school gardens went into operation in each of the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. These school gardens are associated with Sir William C. Macdonald’s plans for the improvement of Canadian schools, and they constitute a notable feature of the genera

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THE SCHOOL GARDENS OF CARLETON COUNTY, ONTARIO

The county of Carleton was selected by Prof. Robertson for the initiation of school gardens in Ontario, and the work that is being carried on here is typical of what is being done in the other four provinces. In all five gardens have been established under the Macdonald fund in Carleton County. Two of these are placed at Carp and Galetta, points on the Canada Atlantic Railway, distant twenty and thirty-three miles respectively from Ottawa. A third is located at Richmond, a small incorporated vil

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NOVA SCOTIA

Nature-study is here taken very seriously. The following extracts from a leaflet issued to every teacher in the province by the Educational Department will show how thoroughly and systematically the matter is dealt with. This sheet is provided for the purpose of aiding teachers to interest their pupils in observing the times of the regular procession of natural phenomena each season. First, it may help the teacher in doing some of the “Nature” lesson work of the Course of Study; secondly, it may

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PHENOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS, CANADA

(1906 Schedule) For the year ending July , 190....

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SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE IN RICHMOND PARK, MELBOURNE

The site covers 33 acres of ground. In 1890 the Government decided to start here an institution for the training of orchardists and small settlers, and during the past eight years much has been done to provide for teaching the regular and casual students, and those visitors calling in search of special information. Classroom instruction is given in horticultural science, vegetable pathology, botany, physical and commercial geography, entomology; measuring, levelling, designing, and plotting of h

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NEW SOUTH WALES

“We are a young community and also a small one, otherwise we should have had at least a small college for lady gardeners ere now,” is the answer that comes to my inquiry on the subject. I am told, however, that there is fine scope for such a thing, and that the women of New South Wales are quite ready for it. Up to now they have chiefly confined themselves to bettering the conditions of labour in those departments voluntarily sought by women, rather than to forming new schemes....

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TASMANIA

Accounts which come to us of the possibilities of the successful cultivation of fruits, trees and plants are all favourable. The mildness of the winter and the great amount of sunshine cause very rapid growth and production of fruit. Plants that will not survive an English winter need no protection here. We learn, too, that the acreage of gardens and orchards is steadily on the increase. There are so far no training schools for lady gardeners, and no posts are held by them either in private gard

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THE VIOLET NURSERIES AT HENFIELD, SUSSEX.

Proprietors : Misses A. and D. Allen-Brown . The Violet Nurseries, instituted a few years ago in a small garden, now extend over several acres, and are carried forward on practical business lines. The Misses Allen-Brown, specialist violet growers, do the entire work of the nurseries, with the assistance of a boy and of any pupils who may be with them. Pupils are received on payment of five guineas premium for a year’s tuition. The instruction given is entirely practical. Arrangements are made to

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HOLLY BUSH NURSERY, CHESNUT LANE, AMERSHAM, BUCKS

Miss M. Agar and Miss M. G. Holmes , directors of this garden, are willing to take ladies as students in simple land surveying and plan drawing. Terms for tuition are £2 2s. per week; and if students live at the nursery, 30s. a week is charged for board and lodging. Gardening students will probably be admitted shortly, but the garden has not been started long enough to take these at present. Miss Agar is a garden designer. The following are particulars of her nursery garden:— The Nursery underta

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HINTS FOR LAYING OUT FLOWER BEDS

A Lady Gardener may have to arrange new ornamental flower beds, and a few hints about pegging out the shape may be useful. It does not always follow that a design for a formal flower plot works out as well in reality as it does upon paper. In order to gain a good impression of what their effect will be when finished they should be marked out with pegs and white tape or string tied round these to show the outline of the future beds. That is, if ground that has already been broken up is being deal

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