EXAMINATION IN COTTAGE AND ALLOTMENT GARDENING, 1905. 693 



EXAMINATION IN COTTAGE AND ALLOTMENT 

 

 GARDENING, 190:.. 



After a careful perusal of the 139 papers returned from the various 

 centres, the Examiners have much pleasure in reporting a distinct 

 advance in the answers pertaining to the practical treatment of Cottage 

 aud Allotment Gardens in general as compared with those of the previous 

 Examination in 1904. It is worthy of note that the Candidate who this 

 year comes out head of the First Class was last year only able to obtain 

 a Second Class. 



A goodly number of those in the First Class, notably such as form 

 the upper half of it, have evidently gained considerable experience in the 

 working of such gardens themselves, whilst some of the answers given 

 have afforded peculiar pleasure to the Examiners. 



The greater average of excellence shown this year has made it advis- 

 able to raise the standard in each class ; this has been done by making 

 a total of 150 marks necessary for obtaining a First Class, 120 marks for 

 a Second Class, and 90 for a Third Class. The failures are 15 under 

 this arrangement. 



The answers given to Question 1 showed in several instances that the 

 method of trenching was clearly understood. 



Several Candidates greatly confused the terms "pyramids," "bushes," 

 "cordons," and "espaliers" as applied to fruit trees. The term "herb- 

 aceous " as applied to flowering plants also showed a deficient knowledge, 

 whilst, singular to say, only quite a minority included Roses amongst 

 woody plants for cutting and bunching for sale or otherwise. " Annuals,'' ' 

 " biennials," and " perennials " were also much confused with each other. 



In the making up of hot-beds the replies were frequently vague and 

 lacking in detail. Guesswork characterised some replies — notably in 

 advising that " early Peas should be raised from roots saved over from the 

 previous year," that " Raspberries should be propagated from cuttings," 

 and that " Apples in some cases should be raised from seed." 



Some replies showed clearly that knowledge gained from text- books 

 had been turned to good account. 



The results of these Examinations on the whole show that it is quite 

 possible for the children in elementary schools to be well instructed in 

 Cottage and Allotment Gardening, and the knowledge thereby imparted 

 will, without doubt, bear good fruit in years to come. 



N.B.— Candidates should bear in mind that answers ought to be written 

 only on one side of the paper. Some did not note this essential point. 



Alexander Dean, V.M.H., \ 

 James Hudson, V.M.H., / 



Examiners. 



