Foreign Notices. — Germany. 93 



of the last examination of the pupils, those who have entered this year 

 into the second class, as well as those who have gone through the second 

 and third classes at Potsdam. 



" This institution has been greatly improved since its first foundation, but 

 it requires some more improvements before it can be said to have reached 

 that degree of perfection of which it is capable. Still, however, it has been 

 as useful as it could be, under all existing circumstances. From the annual 

 increase of the pupils alone we may judge that the public takes an interest 

 in this institution, there having been forty pupils received in it during the 

 three years of its existence; and although some of these may have been im- 

 pelled by poverty (four youths per annum being received gratuitously), yet 

 we may infer, from the progress they have all made, that the majority have 

 been attracted by a love for the art. The examination of the thirteen pupils 

 received last year has been very satisfactory ; and, from the knowledge, 

 both theoretical and practical, which they have imbibed in the short period 

 of one twelvemonth, we may form the most sanguine expectations respecting 

 their future progress, especially of nine of the number. It appeared that 

 they have greatly profited by the three lessons a week which they receive 

 in the elements of botany, and the nomenclature of plants. Most of the 

 pupils have made progress in drawing, which had already been extended to 

 132 objects ; their knowledge of geography, including the physical descrip- 

 tion of the earth, which they receive from Professor Dittman, proved very 

 respectable. Not less had they profited by Dr. Bergmann's lectures on 

 chemistry and mineralogy. They also produced themes on the subjects 

 of their instruction, and the diaries, which each of them has to keep, were 

 mostly executed in a satisfactory manner. Their answers to all the ques- 

 tions as to the practical cultivation of plants, vegetables, and flowers, were 

 good. Their general conduct and industry had been such, that there had 

 been no punishment inflicted in the establishment for the whole year. 

 Under all these considerations, all the pupils were forwarded to the next 

 class at Potsdam, with the exception of one who was returned on account 

 of his youth and bodily weakness. 



" The examination of last month, with the sixteen pupils who had been 

 transferred there during the two preceding years from the establishment 

 at Shonberg was equally satisfactory. With the exception of one, the 

 pupils had invariably displayed steadiness of conduct and industry in their 

 studies. 



" The seven pupils of the second class are practically trained by the royal 

 gardeners of the palace ; besides which they are theoretically instructed in 

 the cultivation of vegetables and trees, arithmetic, algebra, and drawing, in 

 its different branches. 



" The nine pupils of the third class are instructed in the following branches : 

 — 1. A continuation of the instruction in the culture of fruit and other 

 trees. 2. On hot-house gardening (treibgdrtncrei). 3. Geometry, with 

 practical surveying and measuring. 4. Continuation of the instruction in 

 botany. 5. Drawing of plans, laying out of kitchen-gardens, orchards, and 

 pleasure-grounds, with a calculation of the expenses. 6. Themes on the 

 most important subjects connected with gardening. In all these branches 

 their progress had been satisfactory; and three of the number were dis- 

 charged as competent gardeners, with permission to seek employment in the 

 royal gardens for their farther improvement. The remaining six have been 

 admitted in the fourth class, as garden-artists (garten kiinstlerer)." 



The taste for gardening is gaining ground in Prussia ; the Island of Pea- 

 cocks (Pfauen Insel) has been so much beautified, that it may be pronounced 

 the most perfect garden scene of its kind in Prussia ; the gardens of Sans 

 Souci have also been enlarged and improved. Prince Charles has had a 

 new park made near Potsdam, called Glinike, which is very beautiful ; and 



