ARGENTINA; BUENOS AIRES
The following information is all that I can ascertain. There are no special horticultural colleges for ladies in this country, but they are admitted to all the agricultural colleges. They may take the same degrees as men.
As yet only one lady has received the highest degree accorded, namely Agricultural Engineer, and two others are now studying.
No opening for women in this sphere of activity has presented itself so far, but I am informed that undoubtedly very soon the public will appreciate their efforts and employ them in preference to men.
In all public schools pupils from the fourth to sixth grades of both sexes receive notions of agriculture, and are practically taught the care and cultivation of indoor plants. In some few schools that have the necessary ground, pupils are also instructed in cultivating vegetable and flower plants.
CHAPTER XVII
GARDENING AND NATURE-STUDY IN CANADA AND AUSTRALIA
The question of gardening for women in Canada is admirably dealt with—together with that of “Nature-Study”—in the following communication which I have received from Miss E. Ritchie, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It will be seen that while “Nature-Study” is taking a prominent position in the curriculum of the public school—the profession of gardening for women has barely entered into consideration:—
I very much regret that the information I can now send is far from complete as regards the whole Dominion. Our committee on education is not really in working order, only two members—both from Ontario cities—having been appointed by “local councils,” so that I have myself had to collect facts from the other provinces without having local knowledge to guide me. In Canada educational matters are subject entirely to provincial control, and the system differs in the various provinces, so there is no Central Bureau of information at Ottawa. The following statements may, I think, be relied upon as correct as far as they go.
1. Nature-Study is taught to some extent in the public schools all over Canada (I am not quite sure about Quebec, about which my information is imperfect, but I believe it is probably true of that province also). In Nova Scotia, which is a fairly representative province in such matters, nature-study occupies a part of every day in all the schools, and so far as my own observation goes, it seems to be taught sensibly, and in a way to interest the children; they are made familiar with the growth of plants, the habits of insects, the appearance, songs, and migration of the different kinds of birds, etc., and are encouraged in making simple nature-observation for themselves. In the higher grades this teaching merges into more specifically agricultural and scientific work.
2. School gardens are becoming more numerous throughout Canada; Ontario probably takes the lead in this respect. Sir William Macdonald, who is devoting very large sums to the development of the more practical side of education, has inaugurated a number of school gardens in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and (I think) British Columbia.
As of possible interest in this connection, I may mention a plan carried out by the Halifax Local Council of Women to encourage a love of gardening among city children. Seeds of six hardy varieties of flowers are bought wholesale in the spring, and sold through the school teachers to children desiring them at cost price. Each child for six cents (threepence) got a package containing small packages of the six kinds of seed, and simple printed directions for sowing and caring for them. An exhibition of flowers grown from these seeds was held in the month of August, and prizes given for the best bouquets, and also for “compositions” on the raising of flowers. Last year some 6,000 children bought the seeds, and the exhibition of flowers was quite remarkable, even the children from the poorer parts of the city having done remarkably well. I am in hopes other “local councils” will follow us in this work.
3. In regard to the status and prospects of professional women gardeners in Canada, I have been unable to get much information. Few, if any women here, have deliberately chosen this calling as their life’s work. It must be remembered that almost every woman living in the country in Canada, whether married or not, has to do a large part, often all, of her own housework, servants of any kind being, except in the towns, almost unobtainable—in the North-West Provinces absolutely so; this renders it difficult for her to undertake outdoor work that would occupy a great part of her time. I think all gentlewomen thinking of settling in the rural parts of Canada should fully realise the bearings of that most troublesome enigma, “the servant problem,” which we have in its extremest form in this country. Apart from this I should imagine that gardening, in the neighbourhood of a good market, might be carried on by women with very satisfactory results—some capital and good business ability being supposed.
I do not think there would be at present many openings in Canada for lady teachers of gardening, as such subjects as “nature-study,” etc., are taught in the public schools by teachers of other subjects, and in the private schools (which, though the wealthier parents send their children to them, are generally inferior from a pedagogical point of view to the public or free schools) nature-study is very little attended to.
A career for women that might offer inducements to some is that of “orchardist,” which in Nova Scotia especially pays well, and is in many ways agreeable. I know of many married women who assist their husbands in the apple orchards, and at least one, a widow, I think, who owns and manages a large orchard with great success; and there are probably many others. Of course, capital is required, and some knowledge of local conditions.
4. In regard to opportunities for the education of lady gardeners, I may say that in all agricultural and other colleges supported by public money women are received and taught on precisely the same terms as men. This includes the Agricultural College at Truro, Nova Scotia, Prince of Wales College, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (which has agricultural courses), the Agricultural College at Guelph, Ontario, and the Macdonald College at St. Anne, Bellevue, Quebec. The latter is said to be the most advanced and well-equipped institution of its kind in America.