,8^,. TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN SURREY. 461 



is concerned, are alike, and it has been our lot to lecture on " Plant 

 Life " with a view to explain the nature and organisation of a plant, 

 so that reckless treatment of what is too slightly recognised as a 

 living structure should be avoided. 



The nature of a seed, its germination — the structure and use of 

 root, stems and leaves, and their treatment — the food materials and 

 their method of introduction into the plant — movement of " sap," 

 water, and reserve materials, all these points and others were 

 taken and scientifically explained in a manner suited to the audience 

 without sacrificing accuracy. At some of the most successful 

 centres the leading employers of labour, the parson, small tenant 

 farmers, gardeners, and labourers made up the gathering. It is a 

 mistake too commonly, perhaps unconsciously, committed, to estimate 

 the success or failure by the number of mere labourers present, but 

 although an important item, there are others whose rank and eleva- 

 tion are higher in whom, perhaps, the first fruits of this scheme will 

 show itself. 



In connection with the weekly lectures, questions were given 

 and answers sent in from practically every centre. At one village 

 five or six gardeners sent in papers for the whole course, and passed 

 the examination at the end with credit. It is, indeed, an achieve- 

 ment to have succeeded in obtaining weekly papers from men to 

 whom writing and expressing themselves on paper is a new and 

 troublesome self-denying operation. 



Sequence in subjects is aimed at, and the teaching is made more 

 complete and lasting by keeping a correct balance between theory 

 and practice. Lectures on " Plant Life " have been, or will be, 

 supplemented by courses of horticulture by gardening experts. In 

 this department most successful work has been accomplished, and it 

 is only by this combination that progress will be made. It has been 

 stated that horticulture cannot be taught by means of lectures, 

 but it is very doubtful if the science connected with an art or industry 

 can be taught in any other way. The practical results from such 

 teaching last winter are already becoming manifest by the increased 

 yield in small gardens we have seen. Only a few days ago a school- 

 master showed us the effect on his currant bushes which some simple 

 lessons on pruning had had ; and after simple scientific lectures on the 

 structure and mechanism of roots or leaves, almost invariably some 

 of the audience have made accurate deductions from the principles 

 involved, and have explained failures in some of their previous 

 experience. It has often been encouraging to learn of the existence 

 of this quiet thought, and have evidence of the living interest taken 

 in the work. 



Labourers in possession of a cottage garden are those who are 

 open to the reception of teaching, but for the country gardener, who 

 is often most ignorant of the things he deals with daily, little attrac- 

 tion seems to be possessed by this effort to improve his position. 



