214 JOUKNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



EXAMINATION OF EMPLOYEES IN PUBLIC PAEKS. 

 Januaey 10, 1910. 



The Eoyal Horticultural Society's fifth Examination of Employees 

 in Public Parks was held on January 10, 1910. 



As on former occasions, the Examination was partly viva voce and 

 partly written, occupying three hours and twenty minutes. It was 

 held at the Society's Hall in Vincent Square, Westminster. 



Ninety-one candidates entered, and of these thirty-one secured 

 places in the first class, twenty-six in the second, and twenty-five in 

 the third, leaving only nine candidates who have failed altogether to 

 satisfy the examiners. The number of entrants* was smaller than for 

 some years past, but this was anticipated, for the majority of the 

 London parks gardeners had already secured positions in the pass 

 lists. It is hoped that more candidates will in future years be sent 

 from the public parks and gardens of the many cities and towns of 

 the Provinces. 



Speaking generally, the results of this year's Examination are 

 above the average, and in a few cases very high marks have been 

 obtained. There was less tendency in the answers to give information 

 not asked for in the question, but there is still a noticeable lack of 

 understanding of many simple garden terms, such as indigenous," 

 alluvial," &c. Although instructed in prominent black letters at the 

 head of the questions, some candidates did not attempt the compulsory 

 question xvi., asking for a description of the public park or garden in 

 which they work, and they have only themselves to thank for the 

 number of marks thereby necessarily lost. 



Greater knowledge was shown in the choice of ornamental deciduous 

 trees suitable for planting round the margins of lakes, &c., the selec- 

 tions being both good and varied; the botanical names also were for 

 the most part correctly quoted — an indication that winter evening 

 hours had not been wasted. The selection of plants for a well- 

 coloured autumn border was in most cases excellent, but the sketch 

 plans for the arrangement of the plants showed a great want of know- 

 ledge and observation of the precise value and habit of different 

 varieties, and also of colour-harmony. There was also much inde- 

 cision of mind as to evergreen and deciduous shrubs, instead of a clear, 

 well-defined knowledge as to the exact qualities which constitute the 

 line dividing the two. Very rarely was a good selection of " effective 

 evergreen flowering shrubs " given. Similar confusion existed as to 

 which are our own reputedly native British trees, introductions from 

 all parts of the world being included in the answers. The original 

 source of trees and plants should be made a subject of study, as 

 such knowledge is in many cases quite indispensable in understanding 



