Introduction 
XV 
In this age of excellent correspondence classes and private 
tuition the difficulty is very easily surmounted, and 1 am 
sure, if the demand were made for such a training, the 
Board of Education would find a way to supply the 
necessary want. 
Much has already been done by the Government in 
this direction by encouraging the appointment of County 
Instructors of Horticulture and Nature Study, whose duty 
it is to give instruction in these subjects, supervise the 
teaching of Gardening in elementary schools, and give 
lectures on Nature Study to school teachers. Such 
appointments are creating a demand for thoroughly 
practical and scientifically trained young gardeners, who 
are able to impart in a proper manner the knowledge 
they have diligently acquired. 
This now brings me to the subject of “ School 
Gardening”. What a great power this may become in 
our country if properly taught! Boys and girls acquire 
a sound training in the methods of cultivating the 
various garden crops, and also some idea of the prin- 
ciples underlying their practical operations. It is really 
encouraging to watch the effect on children of the teach- 
ing of gardening. How intently they listen, as the 
mystery of the life and growth of the plant is unfolded 
to them, as the rotation of crops is explained; and when 
they actually see the advantage or disadvantage of certain 
methods of cropping, their delight and enthusiasm are 
unbounded. The vast majority of the children attend- 
ing the gardening classes, however, will only use their 
knowledge in the cultivation of their own gardens or 
allotments, but those who take up gardening as a future 
