Xlii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Special students who do not pass examinations will have 

 every advantage in the class work ; and while they cannot secure 

 degrees, they can earn certificates of proficiency, stating the 

 length of time they have worked in the department, and the 

 degree of excellence attained. We are inclined to inaugurate a 

 system of examination quite different from that usually in vogue. 

 The student will be required each day, or at frequent intervals 

 throughout the terms, to give the day following the performance 

 of certain practical or scientific operations, both a written and 

 verbal account of the work accomplished. The excellence of 

 these reports, and the general standing of the students in their 

 classes throughout the year, will rather determine their fitness 

 for acquiring degrees than the old-fashioned final examination. 

 At present there are about 520 students at the University, and 

 in October next there will be about 1,300 ; but in following 

 years, when more buildings have been erected, the number will 

 probably be more than doubled. A number of these students are 

 entering, or preparing to enter, the horticultural department. It 

 will be understood that the examinations in this University, and 

 the mental attainments required of the student, are on a par with 

 those of Oxford and Cambridge, and it will thus be seen that a 

 bid is made for students of first-class ability. A large number of 

 the first horticultural authorities in America have been consulted 

 regarding the formation of this department of horticulture, and 

 general satisfaction was expressed at the plans under which the 

 work is and will be carried on. The students' expenses at the 

 University need not exceed £5 per month, the charge for board 

 and room being £4 per month, the actual cost to the University. 

 Students who are industriously inclined can frequently work their 

 way, and scholarships will be offered to those showing great 

 progress in their studies. 



This, it will be understood, is a very brief and general outline 

 of the great work in hand, as it would take too long to develop 

 the ideas and plans in detail. 



A unanimous vote of thanks was given to Professor Smith 

 by the members of the Scientific Committee for his most interest- 

 ing account. 



