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EDUCATION 



EDUCATION 



W. R. Lazenby; and in Iowa (1876) under J. L. Budd. 

 The instruction by means of horticulture has now 

 grown to great importance in many of the colleges, 

 the staffs comprising, in some cases, as many as fifteen 

 to thirty persons. 



The horticultural work in the colleges. 



We may now consider the horticultural teaching 

 work of these colleges in more detail. 



In the early days of such instruction, the horticul- 

 ture was set over against the agriculture, and these 

 two comprised the main applied groups. The break- 

 ing-out of the group of horticulture was really the 

 beginning of the broadening of these institutions and 

 of their more perfect articulation with the conditions 

 before them. 



Horticulture, as understood in these colleges, com- 

 prises fruit-growing, flower-growing, vegetable-garden- 

 ing, together with the nursery and glasshouse sub- 

 jects naturally associated with them. With the further 

 differentiation of the curriculum, horticulture tends 

 to be split or separated into its three main parts, with 

 separate units or teacherships for each, but this 

 division has not yet proceeded far in most of the insti- 

 tutions. If this division is ever carried to its conclu- 

 sion, the name "horticulture" as an educational unit 

 may pass out. 



In the colleges, horticulture is regarded as a phase 

 of the general agricultural field. For the most part, 

 the student approaches the subject from the point of 

 view of farming by means of fruits or vegetables or 

 even of flowers. The strictly amateur phase is inciden- 

 tally emphasized as a rule, and this undoubtedly is 

 one of the weaknesses of the American horticultural 

 instruction. The amateur attitude, however, will 

 appear more markedly as the country develops and 

 matures. The present attitude very well represents 

 the development that America is now making, as 

 expressed particularly in the great orchard interests. 

 The gardeners, as a group, have had relatively little 

 touch with these institutions in the way of dictating 

 or even influencing their development. So far as insti- 

 tutions are concerned, the gardening phase of horti- 

 culture is well expressed where the great collections 

 are, as at the Shaw or Missouri Botanical Gardens, 

 Arnold Arboretum, New York Botanic Gardens, and 

 others; and these institutions will also produce highly 

 trained specialists in small numbers in related scien- 

 tific lines. 



The content of the work in the land-grant colleges 

 varies greatly, depending, of course, on the constit- 

 uency of the particular college as well as on the staff. 

 Naturally, in the states in which horticultural interests 

 are large, the work will express itself strongly in the 

 college. Some of the courses in horticulture now offered 

 in different colleges of agriculture may be displayed, 

 showing how the subject is divided and what is con- 

 sidered to be the content of the instruction. These 

 examples are chosen only to show the kind and the 

 range of representative courses, and the writer makes 

 no comment on them. Other courses might be chosen 

 from the catalogues, but these are sufficient for illus- 

 tration. In some cases, practically the same subject is 

 entered twice: this represents the way in which the 

 subject is phrased in different institutions. Some of 

 the courses in landscape work that are given by depart- 

 ments of horticulture are also included. 



Elements of horticulture. Fruit-growing, vegetable-gardening 

 and ornamental planting, with special reference to the farm home. 



Gardening. A personal and informal course for lovers of plants 

 and gardens. _ The course consists of actual work with identifica- 

 tion and growing plants, supplemented by conferences and informal 

 discussions. Attention is given to garden literature and history, 

 planning of grounds. 



Cultivated plants. The relationship and classification of cer- 

 tain economic and ornamental plants of the temperate zone; 

 identification of species; examination of living plants and her- 

 barium specimens. 



Evolution of horticultural plants. History, botanical classifi- 

 cation, and geographical distribution of cultivated plants; modi- 

 fication under culture; theoretical causes and observed factors that 

 influence variation, particularly food-supply, climate and cross- 

 fertilization. 



Amateur floriculture. Window-gardening; growing of flowers 

 on the home grounds; containers; potting soils; fertilizers; prep- 

 aration and planting of flower-beds; propagation and culture of 

 plants suitable for window and garden. 



Commercial floriculture. Studies in the propagation and cul- 

 ture of the leading florist crops. As facilities permit, students are 

 assigned space in the greenhouses for practical experience in 

 the growing of roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, violets, sweet 

 peas, and other plants. Discussions on diseases, insects, botany, 

 and the packing, handling, and marketing of cut-flowers and 

 plants for retail and wholesale markets. Classes participate in a 

 required excursion. 



Garden flowers. Designed to acquaint the student with garden 

 plants and to give practical knowledge of the propagation and cul- 

 ture of the annuals, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, and shrubs used 

 for cut-flowers or in ornamental planting. 



Greenhouse construction. The development of the modern 

 greenhouse; types of houses, materials, and methods of construc- 

 tion, installation of heating systems, etc. Laboratory practice in 

 erecting section of cypress and iron frame houses, and in planning 

 and estimating the cost of commercial ranges for flower- and 

 vegetable-production. The class participates in a required excur- 

 sion. 



Greenhouse management. Studies of the principles and prac- 

 tice of propagation, soils, potting, shifting, watering, ventilation, 

 and fumigation of plants cultivated by florists. 



Conservatory plants. A study of the culture and uses of tropical 

 and subtropical plants grown in conservatories, including palms, 

 ferns, begonias, orchids, etc. 



Floral design. A study of the principles of floral art. Practice 

 in the arrangement of flowers in designs and bouquets, baskets, 

 table decorations, interior decoration, etc. 



Greenhouse and garden practice. Designed to give the student 

 practical knowledge of greenhouse work. Lectures and exercises 

 in greenhouse management, propagation, composting soils, potting, 

 watering, etc. 



Investigation in floriculture. The investigation of problems in 

 the growing of cut-flowers, exotics, and garden flowers; hybridiz- 

 ing; study of varieties. Designed primarily for upper classmen and 

 graduate students. 



Elements of landscape gardening. Reconnaissance surveys and 

 mapping, with special reference to the methods used in landscape 

 gardening; detailed study of selected designs of leading landscape 

 gardeners; grade design, road design and field work. 



General design. Field notes; examination of completed works 

 and those under construction; design of architectural details, plant- 

 ing plans, gardens, parks and private grounds; written reports of 

 individual problems. 



Civic art. The principles and applications of modern civic art, 

 including city design, city improvement, village improvement, and 

 rural improvement. 



Trees and shrubs. Plant material important to landscape gar- 

 dening; landscape value of each plant with respect to adaptability 

 to the soil and situation and the use of the plant in design. 



Advanced landscape design. Real estate subdivisions and a 

 complete set of plans, including a sketch plan, general plan, report, 

 detailed study of architectural features, grading plans, planting 

 plans, set of specifications, and estimate of cost. 



Landscape practice. Interpretation of topographic maps and 

 their relation to landscape design; calculation of cut and fill; quan- 

 tities of material ; preparation of grading plans and working drawings. 



Exotics. Temporary decorative plants used in landscape 

 gardening. 



Plant materials. This course aims to make the student familiar 

 with the character of the trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials 

 used in ornamental work, and with the methods of propagating them. 



Decorative and bedding plants. Tropical and subtropical plants 

 used in decorative work in the conservatory; tender plants used 

 in outdoor bedding. 



Home vegetable-gardening. A study of vegetables and their 

 production for home use. The planning and management of the 

 garden, special crop requirements, factors influencing quality, and 

 control of pests, will be considered. The laboratory work consists 

 of actual practice in the garden. The starting of early plants in 

 hotbeds and frames, intercropping and succession-cropping to 

 secure largest yields from small areas, are studied. Each student 

 assumes charge of his own plants and carries them through to 

 the end of the term. 



Commercial vegetable-gardening. The principles of vegetable- 

 growing as applied in commercial production; the scope of the 

 industry and its opportunities; choice of location; equipment; 

 management. The vegetable crops are considered singly, as to 

 their adaptation, culture, special requirements, varieties, enemies, 

 marketing, and profits. The laboratory work includes exercises 

 in growing plants under glass and in the' planting and care of early 

 outdoor vegetables. Each student assumes full charge of his own 

 plantings. 



For students specializing or desiring a fuller knowledge of 

 vegetable - gardening, another course is given, throughout the 

 year. Advantage is taken of the opportunity for practice in har- 

 vesting, packing, and marketing fall crops. A two-days' excursion 

 to two or three important vegetable-growing centers some time 

 during May constitutes a part of the course. Each student 

 gives a part of his time to a special problem, to be agreed on. 

 Report on this problem is presented in typewritten form. 



Vegetable-forcing. Vegetable-growing under glass. Important 



