EXAMINATIONS IN HORTICULTURE 



Ul 



fusing the term "square yards " with "yards square," and so obtaining 

 a numerical result far in excess of the correct one. 



Again, marks were largely lost by the want of accurate comprehension 

 of the questions. For instance, in question 11, the term "deciduous" 

 was frequently ignored, and, instead of a list of only " deciduous " trees 

 being given, evergreens were freely included. Perhaps this was still 

 more marked in question 15, which asked, " What effect has frequent 

 surface hoeing on trees and shrubs growing on the land?" ... In 

 answering this, much information was given as to the influence of 

 surface hoeing on the soil, but the point of the question — the effect on 

 the trees, &e. — was quite overlooked. It is so necessary in all examina- 

 tions that the questions be closely scrutinised, and in reading a question 

 the candidate should give sufficient time to really grasp its meaning, and 

 to understand just what the examiners want to know. 



Handwriting and accurate methods of expression still need attention ; 

 both mean practice, and^ as regards the latter, one of the best preparations 

 for an examination is to answer at home, in writing and without reference 

 to books, questions set at previous or similar examinations, afterwards 

 correcting them from books and looking up the points unknown. 



By the replies to Question 9, we find that the majority of the 

 employes are conversant with the names of trees and shrubs (both 

 common and botanical) growing in the parks in which they are 

 employed, but these very clearly indicate how restricted are the kinds 

 of trees and shrubs at present grown in our public parks— every 

 answer being practically a duplicate of the others. This seems to 

 suggest a very desirable issue — viz., that more breadth of treatment 

 should be introduced to our public gardens by increasing as far as 

 possible the number of species and varieties of hardy, deciduous flowering 

 trees and shrubs, of which we have at the present day so large a number 

 to select from. 



The examiners again desire to impress on the candidates the 

 absolute necessity of observation as they pursue their daily work, and 

 the application of thought as to the why and the wherefore of what 

 they do and what they notice. A man can never be really fit for a high 

 place in any calling in life unless he both thinks and observes. Kules 

 are good, but only so long as they lead to the inquiry as to why in 

 each case they should be followed, and what effect they are intended 

 to produce. Seventeen candidates failed to obtain the requisite number 

 of marks required for a " Pass." These unsuccessful candidates should 

 not be disheartened by failure, but set themselves carefully to observe the 

 things about them, and to think out for themselves the reasons of their 

 different operations. Twelve months of this, coupled with inquiry from 

 their superiors on points which seem difficult to fathom, will probably 

 result in their success at the next or at some subsequent examination. 



C. E. Fielder, 

 Geo. Nicholson, 

 John W. Odell, 



h Examiners. 



Owen Thomas, 

 Edward White, 

 W. Wiles, 



