AUGUSTE-FÖRSTER INSTITUTION, OBERZWEHREN (KREIS CASSEL)
The Kassel Society for the Education of Women has provided in the Auguste-Förster Institute a country school where young girls and women may obtain a thorough training in three different departments: viz., horticulture, domestic economy, and poultry and pig-rearing, etc. The instruction, combining theoretical information and practical work, is given by accomplished female teachers. Six to eight scholars can be taken for each department.
The duration and direction of the course are regulated by the result aimed at. The time of study in each department lasts a year; scholars, who intend to make use of their training in their own home, can take a half-year’s course.
Students are not permitted to take the different courses concurrently. Those who successfully pass an examination, held at the end of the year’s course, receive a certificate of proficiency. These certificates are of special importance to those who wish to earn their living in the gardener’s calling, or as housekeepers. The year’s course and certificate are also valuable to those who become teachers of domestic economy in rural house-keeping schools, as the regulation examination for domestic economy does not include such special country subjects as horticulture, poultry-rearing, etc. For those who have already attended similar institutions, and wish further instruction without intending to make money by it, a shorter course of study, under special conditions, is arranged.
The instruction comprises:—Theoretical instruction in the different branches and conditions of plant-culture. Practical work: Fruit and vegetable culture, raising plants in the open air and under glass, care of plants in hot-houses and in rooms, care of ornamental grounds, decoration of dwelling-rooms and verandahs with plants and cut-flowers. To those students who intend to become professional gardeners a longer attendance at our establishment is recommended, or a continuance of training in a nursery or private garden; a thorough initiation into the high calling of gardener is not possible in a shorter time. Any who have taken the year’s course, and desire more advanced training, can attend the State horticultural institutions as out-students.
The Kassel Chamber of Agriculture has granted the Förster Institution the use of the means of instruction provided in the Oberzwehren Pomological Institute, a remarkably well-conducted establishment.
The Auguste-Förster Institution at the same time aims to attract educated women to settle in the country, by affording them practical guidance in social work. For this object, instruction in handicrafts, knitting, sewing, mending, cutting-out, cooking, washing, and ironing is given (chiefly in winter) to the women, young girls, and children of the surrounding villages. Ladies with good preparatory knowledge are admitted as voluntary helpers, if they intend to devote themselves in earnest to social work in the country, and if there is room in the institution.