170 GARDENING FOR WOMEN 



into living- and class-rooms for tlie future scholars. The 

 necessary tools were obtained, and so tlie work began, 

 thongb differently from Miss Castner's first intentions. 

 As it had not been possible to rouse the active interest of 

 educated German women, particularly those living in the 

 country, the school coidd not be limited to their own 

 country-women, as had been the original plan. Our 

 statistical tables plainly show how largely foreigners 

 are in the majority. 



The difficulties of the beginning were successfully 

 overcome ; the garden, now three acres, attracted students 

 in growing numbers. In April, 1895, ten new scholars 

 joined the original seven, and in the next year seventeen 

 were added. From that time a regular increase went on. 



Yet many hindrances remained. If women were 

 indifferent, gardeners showed the liveliest, though not 

 friendly, interest in the scheme, and it took years to con- 

 vince them they would not be harmed by the new ideas. 



Prominent men hke Professors Wittenack, Herren, 

 Ascherson, Sorauer, Garden-Inspector Lindemint, and 

 others, whose judgment carried great weight, were most 

 sceptical. They feared, not without cause, that the 

 training for women, as was too common, would be imperfect. 

 Some examinations, at which they were present on the in- 

 vitation of Dr. Elvira Castner, convinced them of the 

 thoroughness of our work, and with just pride we count 

 them now amongst our truest friends. 



The establishment soon won general respect. House 

 and garden at Friedenau became too small, and a move 

 was made in October, 1899, to Marienfelde, where the 



