262 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



he well to furnish a few remarks on the work actually achieved by 

 them, and the value of their efforts. From a State point of view an 

 interesting and inexpensive experiment has been made. 



Horticulture in its various forms is one of the most natural outdoor 

 occupations for women, and in the matter of designing and directing 

 garden work, the growing of grapes, lemons, bush fruits and salads, 

 they are placed at no disadvantage with men, providing they possess 

 ordinary health and' strength. 



Of about 140 women students attending, about 10 per cent, may 

 be said to have thoroughly mastered some branch of profitable horti- 

 culture. Another 20 per cent, gained as much experience and habit 

 of work as to make them capable helpers or directors of their own 

 properties. The remainder of the students gave no definite proof of 

 what they may be able to do in the futm-e. A few students are 

 earning a livelihood wholly, or in part, through their experience 

 gained here. Two are engaged in designing and maintaining gardens. 

 One is managing a small mixed estate. One is a writer on horticul- 

 ture, one or two take pz'uning contracts, and one has laid out and 

 managed a young orchard of considerable extent in. such a business- 

 like manner, as to warrant the assertion, that of its age and character, 

 there is no property to equal it for general excellence in the State 

 of Victoria. 



The real and only defect in connection with the training of women 

 in rural pursuits is due to their being non-resident, and devoting 

 but a very small proportion of their time to the work. In the 

 circumstances, the result of local effort must be regarded as very 

 satisfactory. 



In Great Britain, Germany, Austria, France and America, women 

 are rapidly improving their position in the orchard and garden, but 

 they devote their whole energies to the work, and shirk no form of 

 drudgery which may lead to the possession of useful knowledge. 



In Victoria, life is not so hard for the many as to invoke a splendid 

 earnestness, with tlie result, that women will not be found in large 

 numbers imitating their sisters in older communities, till they are 

 forced by the stern ai-m of necessity. 



Excepting the women students, the roll for the year has not been 

 large, but the type of student has been very satisfactory, and there is 

 every prospect of our turning out a few really good men. The 

 greatest muster of male students during the year was 17. A few 

 women students (who now pay like the males a fee of £5 per annum) 

 have attended, and made very good progress. 



In the quarterly and final examinations some excellent papers and 

 essays were furnished, the majority of the students showing a good 

 working acquaintance with the subjects in which they have Ijeen 

 instructed. 



The instruction of the visiting public involves no small amount of 

 time on the part of those who are competent to give advice. There 

 is a steady stream of interested visitors the year round, but at holidav 



