Repm-t of the Principal of the 8chool of Horticulture. 2()1 



REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL 

 OF HORTICULTURE. 



C. Bogue Lxiffmann. 



Field and Class Work. 



The school year has furnished some interesting and very succe.ss- 

 fnl work. As pointed out in previous reports, the incomplete nature 

 of the Burnley Estate and the school training ground does not admit 

 of such prompt and straightforward training as is desirable in such 

 an Institution. The place is so deficient in attractions as not to ap- 

 peal to many who might otherwise be disposed to enrol as students. 

 The reforms of the past year have been extensive and varied, and it 

 is confidently hoped that, within the space of two or three years, 

 every part of the estate will be so planned and endowed with soil as 

 to furnish a thorough training ground for every type of rural producer 

 limited to small areas. 



During the year, several acres of otherwise useless land have been 

 covered with corporation rubbish in anticipation of its being converted 

 into true soil. Several acres of the same material in a more advanced 

 stage have been turned over, cleaned and placed under crops, and in 

 part laid doAvn with grass. A considerable length of roadway has 

 been cut and formed, and many blocks of irregularly formed soil 

 jiroperly graded, surface drained, enriched, and ]ilanted. 



The most important work of the year has taken the form of 

 planning and laying the foundations of such plots of ground as the 

 average orcharclist may be called upon, to deal with. 



The routine work of the estate has at all times been made as 

 informing as possible to the students and visiting public. 



Nearly 20 acres are now under fruit trees, vegetables, ornamental 

 plants, and subjects of an economic character. Besides this area, 

 aljout 10 acres have been made available for the growth of hay and 

 other fodder crops, and the introduction of a few of the most im})or- 

 tant domestic animals makes the estate complete, so far as variety of 

 subjects and extent are concerned. 



In the field the students have taken part in, and Ijeen instructed 

 in, the principles of every operation. In ploughing, digging and 

 other means of cultivating and preparing soil, they are generally pro- 

 ficient, whilst the seniors have done excellent work in the pruning and 

 general management of fruit trees. The syllabus for the year shows 

 that no subject of importance is omitted, and that the greatest atten- 

 tion is paid to those which are of most value to the frnit grower (if 

 the future. 



At the close of the year 1902, a considerable number of women 

 students completed their three years' course and left the School. 

 Since the subject of their admittauce lias boon niiidi dcliated, it uuiy 



