250 GAEDENING FOE WOMEN 



measuring, levelling, designing, and plotting of homesteads, 

 orcliards,' small farm and garden areas, and the most 

 approved methods of raising and managing fruit trees 

 and plants. Practical work includes the propagation 

 and management of orchard trees, citrons, table grapes, 

 bush fruits ; harvesting, storing, packing, marketing, 

 drying and canning fruit ; vegetable culture ; clearing, 

 grading, and trenching land ; management of soils, manures, 

 drainage, and villa gardening. 



The principal and his assistant carry out this programme 

 by affording lessons daily in the classroom and field. 

 In 1899 women students were first admitted. They have 

 for the most part devoted their attention to the designing 

 and making of villa gardens, vegetables and herb culture, 

 and the special cultivation of table grapes and lemons — 

 branches of commercial horticulture most suited to women. 

 Previous to 1903 instruction was free, but a fee of £5 per 

 annum is now charged. There is a steady advance in the 

 number of students, and every indication of the school 

 doing generally helpful work in the service of the 

 State. 



The school year extends from February to Decem- 

 ber. 



The tabulated return on the following page of 

 persons engaged in agricultural pursuits in 1901 

 is of interest. Only those subjects bearing reference 

 specially to horticulture are mentioned. 



A lady near Melbourne has recently bought a 

 place and laid out a garden. There is about one 



