EXAMINATIONS IN HORTICULTURE, 1911. 



219 



TIL EXAMINATION OF SCHOOL TEACHERS IN COTTAGE 

 AND ALLOTMENT GARDENING. 



April 26, 1911. 



EouR HUNDRED AND NINETY- SEVEN Candidates presented themselves for 

 the Examination of School Teachers in Cottage and Allotment Garden- 

 ing held on April 26, 1911, being an increase of 292 over the entries 

 for 1909. 



The Examiners, Mr. F. J. Chittenden, F.L.S., Mr. Alexander Dean, 

 V.M.H., and Mr. Jas. Hudson, V.M.H., report that whilst many 

 excellent replies to the questions were sent in, it was all too obvious 

 that some of the younger candidates had presented themselves without 

 having obtained any real knowledge, either theoretical or practical, of 

 simple gardening. Candidates may like to test their knowledge in this 

 way, but it would be far better to form some actual acquaintance with 

 gardening beforehand. 



Subjects having relation to information obtained from books offered 

 much less difficulty to many candidates than did those of an essentially 

 practical character. Practical knowledge of the ordinary routine of 

 cottage and allotment gardening is absolutely essential to any candidate. 

 In reference to the sowing of seeds, for example, the word " planting " 

 was frequently used in error. 



Some candidates elaborated their earlier answers much too fully, 

 thus leaving too little time for others. It is advisable to practise on 

 the questions set in previous examinations, and thus test both one's 

 knowledge and the time taken to express it on paper. In several 

 instances the candidates did not read the questions fully before attempt- 

 ing a reply, thus losing valuable time. 



Some candidates, on the other hand, answered the questions in a 

 thoroughly practical manner, evidently the outcome of practice and 

 close observation. The Examiners have much pleasure in noting this. 

 The knowledge that can be imparted by such teachers is invaluable, and 

 it must eventually lead to a great improvement taking place in the 

 cultivation of cottage and allotment gardens when their scholars grow 

 up and have gardens of their own to cultivate. 



Those who sat for this examination and have not been so successful 

 as they could wish are strongly advised to make another attempt. 

 Many such show considerable promise. 



In Section B the last two questions were as a rule well answered. 

 Only a few attempted answers to Questions 11 and 12. In all cases, 

 however, many of the candidates failed to give any — or any adequate — 

 reasons for the practice they advocated. There seemed to be a very 

 general misunderstanding of the structure and function of the cambium, 



