38 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Elementary Botany. 

 Experimental Physics. 

 Physiography. 

 Elementary Geology. 



Principles of Design in Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting. 



Ancient and Renaissance Architecture, and the Theory of Design. 



In addition to the studies, which form reasonable parts of a general 

 college education, the undergraduate who looks forward to becoming a 

 landscape gardener is advised to take the summer course in topographical 

 and railroad surveying at the Harvard camp, or its equivalent, and should 

 become well acquainted with the common trees and shrubs. If he has 

 had the opportunity of getting first-hand acquaintance with the soil and 

 plants through the common work of practical farming, or some kindred 

 occupation, he will find it, in the long run, helpful to a remarkable 

 degree. 



Any intelligent student will appreciate that he must have a good 

 command of English, since an essential part of a landscape gardener's 

 duties must be to explain clearly and convincingly to others the reasons 

 for his advice to them. In addition, it is very desirable that the student 

 should be able to use French and German books with tolerable facility. 



What is not so generally realised by students beforehand is the vital 

 importance to the landscape gardener of facility in graphic expression. 

 He must be able to draw readily a simple, straightforward, and accurate 

 representation of the forms which he sees or wishes to describe, whether 

 by sketches, plan, or section, and the alphabet of this graphic language, 

 which he must use all his life, ought to be learned early and practised 

 constantly. 



On the basis of such preparation a student can obtain a good pro- 

 fessional equipment by three or even two years devoted solidly to 

 technical work. No definite programme is here laid down for such 

 a post-graduate course, because it can best be fitted to the needs of the 

 individual ; but it would always include two years of practice in general 

 landscape design and details of construction, continued study of plants 

 and planting design, and, so far as not already studied, elementary 

 architectural design, water supply and sanitary engineering, masonry 

 and foundations, contracts and specifications, and such additional work 

 in engineering, horticulture, and general landscape design as time and 

 capacity permit. 



It should further be said that while the training above discussed 

 should make a student a useful assistant to a landscape gardener, it is not 

 expected to turn him out competent to practise, and it should be followed 

 by at least two or three years of practical experience in the employ of an 

 established landscape gardener, and, if possible, by travel for the study of 

 professional subjects in this country and in Europe. 



These quotations testify to the importance attached to the question 

 of education in landscape gardening in America, and the hope of the 

 establishment of adequate recognition in this country is therefore absolved 

 from the charge of being visionary. 



It may be recalled that a scheme of instruction was started at the 

 Crystal Palace as long ago as 1881 under seemingly encouraging auspices. 



