EXAMINATION IN HOKTICITLTURE, 1906. 191 



EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE, 1906. 



The Annual Examination in the Principles and Practice of Horticulture 

 was held on March 28, 1906, when 150 papers were sent in. 



Three hundred marks were allotted as a maximum, all candidates who 

 obtained 250 marks and upwards being placed in the First Class. The 

 total number of these was 10, or 15 per cent, of the whole. 



Those who secured 200 marks and less than 250 were placed in the 

 Second Class. The number was 75, or 50 per cent, of the whole. 



Those who obtained 100 marks and upwards were placed in the Third 

 Class, their number being 63, or 42 per cent. Two only were not 

 placed. 



Comparing the results in percentages with those of 1905 there is a 

 rather close agreement with last year's results, though there is a slight 

 decrease in the total number of entries, there having been 160 in 1905 as 

 against 150 this year. 



As the old question has lately been revived, as to the practical value 

 of these examinations, we would repeat that, as far as the examination is 

 supposed to be a test of practical experience in the garden, it can only be 

 so to a very limited extent. Therefore, before a candidate can be pro- 

 nounced efficient for any position, he should also be subjected to a viva 

 voce examination in a well-furnished garden : and every student should 

 have had at least two years' practical experience. 



It should be borne in mind that the value of these examinations lies 

 in the mental training secured by study, and the knowledge of physiology 

 acquired thereby ; which indirectly does help the practical man. for he 

 thereby learns how plants live, and what they require for a healthy growth 

 and development. 



We think that there should be a more careful study of the questions 

 before answering them ; as there is still much time wasted by some of 

 the candidates in giving ideas or suggestions of their own not alluded to 

 in the questions at all. This remark applies to a limited and, we are 

 u'lad to say. a decreasing number of the candidates ; but in a few instances 

 it had had the effect of preventing the examinee from answering the full 

 number of questions in the allotted time. 



George Hen slow. 

 Jas. Douglas. 



First Ciuss. 



So. of Marks 

 gaiaed. 



1. French, L., Horticultural College, Swanley .... 265 

 I Damsell, G. S., University College, Reading .... 260 



2. - Rix, E. M.. Studley College. Warwickshire . . . .260 

 | Satterley, G. S., 36 Harborne Road, Edgbaston. Birmingham 260 



