Chap. XVII.] THE SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE AT VERSAILLES. 273 



gardeners, possessing all the theoretical and practical knowledge that is necessary 

 in horticultural operations. It embraces the following subjects : (1) The cultiva- 

 tion of fruit-trees in the open air and under glass ; pomology ; (2) the cultivation 

 of forest and ornamental trees, comprising nursery work in general ; (3) the cultiva- 

 tion of vegetables in the open air, and by forcing ; (4) the cultivation of flowering 

 plants, in the open air and under glass ; (5) elementary and descriptive botany ; 

 (6) the principles of landscape-gardening and garden architecture ; (7) elementary 

 instruction in physics, meteorology, chemistry, geology, and mineralogy, as applied 

 to horticulture ; (8) the elements of zoology and entomology, in their relation to 

 horticulture and arboriculture ; (9) arithmetic and geometry, applied to gardening 

 purposes, such as the measuring of surfaces, finding cubic contents, laying down 

 plans to scale, etc. ; (10) line drawing, and sketching plants and implements ; 

 (11) lessons in the French language and book-keeping. The practical instruction 

 is supplied in a systematic course of manual labour, which embraces every opera- 

 tion of gardening. The time is so divided between these two branches of in- 

 struction that all the pupils will take part in the work of the garden every day, 

 and thereby acquire the knowledge and manual dexterity which are so indis- 

 jiensable. In addition to the instruction imparted in the school, the pupils will 

 be taken from time to time to visit the principal horticultural establishments, in 

 order to familiarise them with the best examples of practical horticulture and 

 arboriculture. 



Examinations at the end of the year and on leaving the School. — At the end of 

 every academical year a general examination will take place for the purpose of 

 classifying the pupils. Those who fail to pass through this examination into a 

 higher division, will cease to be members of the School. Those pupils who pass 

 a satisfactory examination on leaving the school will receive, on the recommenda- 

 tion of the examiners, a certificate of merit from the Minister of Agriculture and 

 Commerce. Moreover, those pupils who distinguish themselves most at the final 

 examination may (if their acquirements and fitness in other respects point them 

 out as deserving of the favour) receive an appointment, for one year's practice, in 

 one of the leading French or foreign horticultural establishments. An allowance 

 of 1200 francs (£48) is attached to each of these appointments, the number of 

 which is not to exceed three every year. It must be understood, however, that 

 these appointments cannot be claimed as a right by those pupils who come out 

 among the first at the final examination. A nomination to one of them will 

 depend on whether the examiners have formed a judgment of the pupil, in the 

 course of the examination, as to whether he is a person likely to make a good use 

 of this complementary means of improvement; preference being given to those 

 pupils who manifest a desire for further knowledge, and an earnest devotion to 

 their profession. 



Bursaries. — Bursaries, six in number, and each of the value of 600 francs (£24), 

 will be annually ^ven to those pupils whose names stand first on the entrance- 

 list, to help to defray their expenses while they remain at Versailles., Holders of 

 these bursaries will receive them in monthly payments of 50 francs (£2). The 

 institution will also receive pupils sent from the departments, towns, and 

 agricultural or horticultural associations, whose expenses are defrayed by the 



