Summer Meeting. 25 



positions. One of them has since finished the work and with the remain- 

 ing seven has been granted a certificate of graduation. All graduates 

 either accepted positions at some horticnltnral work or continued their 

 studies in other institutions, three entering as gardeners or florists at as 

 many different colleges, one continued his studies at the Arnold Arbore- 

 tum near Boston and later at the famous Kew Gardens near London, 

 and is now employed by one of the leading landscape firms in the United 

 States. Two were called to metropolitan park service and one as private 

 gardener to a citizen of St. Louis, while one continues work as a garden 

 employee. Two have since chosen other lines of work, thus leaving six 

 who are now in responsible positions carrying on efiicient work in horti- 

 cultural lines. Four students have been admitted to the course on the 

 tuition plan, three of them afterwards entering as scholarship students, 

 one being a young lady and not entitled to the scholarship grants. 



The course is arranged primarily for the purpose of training young 

 men to become practical gardeners rather than professional scientists. 

 It is not possible, however, for a student in the allotted time of four 

 years to become a specialist in any line and at the same time familiar 

 with all branches. The aim is to teach a student the principles and 

 actual practice of budding, grafting, propagating or other garden opera- 

 tions with as large a variety of the most important plants as possible, 

 rather than to enable him to become especially proficient in any one 

 branch. 



In addition to the opportunities for Garden pupils any horticulturist 

 or botanist or anyone interested in any phase of horticulture or botany 

 may, at any time have free use of the facilities the Garden has for 

 advanced study. Many have taken advantage of these opportunities and 

 have there given more or less time to original research and experimental 

 work. 



To further encourage horticultural work Mr. Shaw provided for the 

 awarding of premiums at flower shows to the amount of $500.00 per 

 year. These premiums are awarded at the annual Chrysanthemum Ex- 

 hibition of the St. Louis Florists' Club. Annual banquets are given to 

 invited florists, nurserymen, and market gardeners, that they may become 

 better acquainted as well as discuss topics of common interest. Pro- 

 vision is also made for the preaching of an annual floral sermon "on the 



