1140 



Women in Horticulture. 



[Mar.., 



interested in the scientific aspects of the work to seek further 

 training and to find employment in which they could utilize the 

 knowledge thus acquired. The openings in this direction have 

 developed very much in recent years, and offer a splendid field 

 for women with a love for the work and the necessary ability 

 to carry it out. They may be grouped as follows: — 



(a) Teachers in Schools and Colleges. — The demand for 

 women teachers has always been greater than the supply. This 

 is due largely to the fact that no special courses of training have 

 been arranged for students wishing to take up teaching work. 

 Students desiring to teach gardening, together with such sub- 

 jects as botany and nature study, have taken the ordinary 

 course at a horticultural college and followed it up by further 

 study at a university. This has meant a very long period of 

 training which has been possible only to a few. A considerable 

 shortening of the time involved might be effected if some of 



• the horticultural colleges already providing a good all-round 

 practical training, combined with this a more extended course 

 suitable for the preparation of teachers of gardening, and the 

 theoretical subjects associated with it. At present, the majority 

 of teachers of botany in girls' schools receive an academic 

 training in a college, which is usually situated in a town, with 

 little or no opportunity of acquiring a practical knowledge of 

 the living plant. Surely it would be far better for these women 

 to receive their theoretical instruction at an institution which 

 can also illustrate and develop theory in the field and garden. 

 Tenehers fhus eouiuued would be able to bring new ideals and a 

 new standard to the teaching of botany in schools, and could 

 foster in their pupils that love and understanding of gardening 

 and rural pursuits which is so desirable. 



(b) Instructors and Inspectors in Horticulture. — The educa- 

 tive value of gardening in rural schools is now generally 

 admitted, and in order to extend it many county councils have 

 appointed instructors and inspectors in horticulture. Their 

 duties vary in different parts of the country, but generally 

 they are expected to instruct in school gardening, to keep in 

 touch with rural schools, to give help and advice in educational 

 questions touching their subject, and frequently to give lectures 

 and demonstrations to adults. Several women have already 

 been appointed to such posts, and there is no reason why more 

 should not fit themselves for the work. It demands a wide 

 experience of practical horticulture as well as a sound know- 

 ledge of the fundamental scientific principles underlying it. 



(c) Research Work. — Finally, there are openings for women, 



