RESULTS OF THE HORTICULTURAL SCHOOL. 173 



One may experience evil results from too long remaining in 

 the warm, damp air of ill-ventilated green-houses. But gar- 

 deners of long experience tell me they have suffered no evil 

 from their work. 



The same conditions of free circulation and purity of air, 

 which are essential to human health, are important to the life 

 and growth of plants. 



The careful drainage which farmers prize so highly, improves 

 the health of the neighborhood, and though it is certainly pos- 

 sible for farmers and gardeners to get sick, there is no excuse 

 for it in their occupation if rightly managed. Like every busi- 

 ness it has its advantages and trials. "We must use prudence 

 and intelligence in overcoming its difficulties. 



Our experience was too short to be of much value, in regard 

 to the economic results of woman's gardening, although the 

 sales from the green-house and garden were quite equal to our 

 expectations. 



One of the pupils has opened a green-house in Brookline, 

 under favorable auspices, and will test for herself the possibility 

 of her success in business. She has already a fair prospect, 

 although she had but little capital to start with, and is now able 

 to meet applications for plants and bouquets. 



It certainly shows the wisdom of Harvard College in opening 

 the school to women, that the only attendants on the lectures 

 at first were young women who passed into it from our Hor- 

 ticultural School, who are pursuing their studies there with 

 great interest. Even now women are in a decided majority 

 there. I trust that this will not long be the case, however, as 

 I believe that men and women would study and work together 

 with as great mutual advantage there, as Adam and Eve did 

 in the first Garden of Eden. 



I hope that the young women of our community will not be 

 insensible to the advantages offered to them by this richly 

 endowed institution. 



I have no doubt that its officers and professors are sincere 

 and hearty in their intention to give them every opportunity 

 for useful study and practice. The ignorant farmer or gar- 

 dener no longer stands an equal chance with his educated 

 neighbor, and women, in entering on this profession, must make 

 the most of every advantage open to them. 



