WORKMANLIKE WOMEN- GARDENERS 221 



beauty, shown off so admirably against a soft 

 green carpet of turf beneath the great tents, I 

 overhear comments on my gardeners. On the 

 whole they are favourable and what pleases me 

 most is that several nurserymen who have been 

 surreptitiously watching them arrange their stall 

 tell me that they now have formed a high opinion 

 of the practical, workmanlike manner in which 

 ladies carry out their business. These remarks, 

 coupled with the fact that the College receives a 

 bronze " Flora " medal from the R.H.S. as a 

 mark of approval for the produce shown, make 

 up to the Principal and her staff for tiring hours 

 spent in the stifling atmosphere of a tent, and 

 answering innumerable questions, frequently asked 

 by those who know nothing about flowers or 

 vegetables, and who require elaborate details as 

 to their cultivation. 



These days, when quiet regularity of work is left 

 behind, and gardeners, coming in contact with 

 other growers, can discuss new methods and see 

 the best achievements brought about by hybridisa- 

 tion and cross-fertilisation, are inspiring and of 

 deep interest to those who are ambitious and wish 

 to succeed in their profession. The life of the 

 students, if they are loyal to their teachers, is apt 

 to become self-centred and they are inclined to 

 think that their staff alone is skilled, so that the 

 competition with other schools which a large 

 London exhibition brings about is a very essential 

 part of their education. There are so many details, 

 tricks of the trade one might almost call them, 

 connected with preparing produce for a show, 



