128 HOLLAND 



from the mainland soil enough to form sub- 

 stantial gardens, and there they live, in modest 

 dwellings, cultivating their produce, which a 

 regular service of boats takes off each day to 

 the Amsterdam market. In Aalsmeer, there- 

 fore, the studies followed in the Winter School 

 are devoted mainly to gardening. At Naaldwyk 

 the chief branch of instruction is the cultivation 

 of fruit and vegetables, and at Tiel the principal 

 subject taught is fruit culture. 



The particular purpose of the instruction thus 

 given is, as defined by the Royal Decree of June 

 3rd, 1901, to enable persons who intend to take 

 up market-gardening as a livelihood to obtain 

 the necessary theoretical knowledge of the busi- 

 ness at the least possible expense. The manage- 

 ment of each school is entrusted to a local 

 committee nominated by the Minister of Water- 

 ways, Trade, and Industry, such committee being 

 required to send in periodical reports, both to 

 the Minister and to the Government Inspector 

 of Intermediate Education, as to the progress 

 of the schools. 



Then the Government have established in 

 different districts a series of seven laboratories, 

 each with its director and its staff of chemists 

 and botanists, for the examination and testing 

 of seeds, artificial manures, etc. The laboratory 



