160 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



students of gardening under my care, and have followed their subse- 

 quent career with much interest. There can be no doubt whatever that 

 the lady gardener has come to stay. There is much that she can, or 

 should, do particularly well. As florists, lady gardeners should excel, but 

 they should do w^ell in many other departments. As hybridists and 

 raisers of new varieties their work should be of the best. Speaking 

 generally, I find them harder workers than men, especially when working 

 alone ; but although physically weak, they do not apply their limited 

 strength to the best advantage nearly to the same extent that their male 

 competitors do. Moreover — I say it with halting breath — lady gardeners 

 seem to have one or two other great failings. Not a few seem to be 

 ever changing their ideas of an ideal. This, almost always unfortunate, 

 is fatal to a raiser cf new varieties and the more important work of 

 gardening. The failing, however, which grieves one most intensely is 

 that many, at any rate, appear to have but little ability to discriminate 

 between sound prosaic advice and hollow poetic suggestions. Staid 

 judgment is requisite in gardening. Their gentle, nimble fingers are 

 wanted in the garden and glasshouse, and w^hen experience has taught 

 them wherein they fail they will triumph in their manipulative skill 

 and organising ability as now they do in examinations. 



A few comments on the history of horticultural education for women 

 may be noted. In 1889 Swanley College was opened to give instruction 

 to both men and women. During the earlier years good work was done 

 under difficulties, probably altogether beyond the comprehension of some 

 of the present authorities. 



Several students of those early days are now doing good work. 

 About four years ago the College was reserved for women students only. 

 In 1898 Lady Warwick started an independent scheme solely for women, 

 and this has developed immensely. The records of both these institutions 

 are well worth consideration by all interested in the w^elfare of woman 

 generally. 



In connection vv^ith college w^ork I have endeavoured for years to show 

 the necessity of what may be termed an Information Bureau. Students 

 who have passed through an institution should be encouraged to keep 

 in direct touch with their ahna mater. They should, especially before 

 committing themselves to any new work or operation, if possible seek 

 advice from those whose business it should be to help. For years I 

 have made a point of inviting old students to apply for advice, and the 

 large number of responses — while entailing a considerable expenditure 

 of time — -have generally been of mutual benefit, as the adviser has 

 thereby become thoroughly conversant with the weaknesses and the 

 strong points of the tuition given. This, however, is sometimes of 

 doubtful personal advantage, as knowledge gained by experience frequently 

 indicates the desirability of methods which are not in accordance with 

 those of the powers that be. 



I take this opportunity to urge that arrangements be made in agri- 

 cultural and horticultural institutions to enable their old students to easily 

 and promptly obtain advice. Gladly would I enlarge upon various schemes 

 by which this could be carried out. Certainly the organisation and super- 

 vision should be by the authorities with the assistance of the Staff. 



