320 JOUKNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



EXAMINATION OF MEN EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC 

 PARKS AND GAEDENS. 



January 14, 1907. 



The Second Annual Examination by the Eoyal Horticultural Society, 

 of the Employees in Public Parks and Gardens, was held on January 14, 

 1907. The object of the examination is to test as far as possible the 

 knowledge of Public Park employees of their work, and to stimulate an 

 inteUigent observation and interest in the objects which are ever before 

 their eyes and which their hands daily handle. 



As previously, the examination was partly written and partly 

 viva voce, occupying three hours and twenty minutes. It was held at 

 the Society's Great Hall in Vincent Square, Westminster. 



Sixty candidates entered their names, of whom 59 presented them- 

 selves for the examination. 



Fifteen questions were set at the written examination, and the 

 Council will learn with pleasure that a definite improvement is 

 perceptible, both in the accuracy and the manner of expression of the 

 written replies. The same advance was found in the vivcl voce section ; 

 but, notwithstanding these evidences of a more thorough preparation 

 than last year, there still remains a vast field for improvement. For 

 example, the outline drawings for a group of decorative flower-beds 

 were as unsatisfactory in design as they were in plant arrangement, the 

 designs being wanting in originality and with little or no departure from 

 the conventional type. The drawings themselves also were very poor, 

 and future candidates are strongly recommended to study the simple 

 principles of geometrical design, to enable them to set out decorative 

 beds, first, to scale on paper, when harmony of proportion with symmetry 

 of outline is more easily obtainable, and, secondly, in the garden itself 

 from the plan so prepared. Candidates will also do well to practise the 

 writing of answers during their period of preparation for the examina- 

 tion, exercising themselves in a fairly rapid but intelligible handwriting. 

 A natural fluency will thus be obtained in the written expression of 

 thought, and more questions will accordingly be dealt with during the 

 hours of the examination. That this is necessary is proved by the 

 results of this year, for of the fifteen questions set, an average of nine 

 only were even attempted. This deficiency seriously depreciates candi- 

 dates' positions in the "Pass " list. 



Eight of the candidates failed to obtain the number of marks required 

 for a " Pass," although the examiners gave credit wherever possible for 

 the evidence of good intentions. 



The examiners again desire to impress on the candidates the 

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



