GARDENING SCHOOL AT AGDATORP,
a practical school for lady gardeners.
The summer term begins on April 1st. The school, which is helped by the State and “Blekinge hushållningssållśkap,” takes students of all classes of society.
STUDENTS AT WORK AT THE AGDATORP SCHOOL OF GARDENING, SWEDEN.
The chief object of the school is to spread a knowledge of gardening, and interest in it, amongst the daughters of the country population.
There are two different divisions. A student of Division I. has to pay 100 kr. (£5 10s.) at the commencement of the term, and 40 kr. (£2 5s.) at the beginning of each month for board and lodging.
Students of Division II. pay 50 kr. at the beginning of the term, and 2.20 kr. on the 1st of each month for board and lodging.
The hours of instruction in Division I. are fewer, though the fees are higher. The instruction for both is similar. Practical and theoretical instruction is given in the following subjects:—Culture of fruit, vegetables, flowers, hot-house and frame work, raising seeds, treatment of soil and manure, botany.
Special importance is attached to the use of garden produce in the house, preserving, and making fruit wines.
A course of lessons in plain cookery (free of charge) is arranged for those students who wish to take it. From July 1st to Oct. 1st.
The conditions for entering the school are:—Pupils to be at least seventeen years of age, and physically strong. Application for admission should be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate. A certificate from the upper class is also needed from those who come from elementary schools.
Students must have their own bedding, linen, napkins, candles, and soap, and must also provide gardening knives and scissors. The latter can best be procured after they enter the school.
Students are taken for part of the course, after the term has begun, for 60 kr. per month. Should a student for some reason be forced to leave, before her time is up, no money is returned.
In 1907 the State gave one place free to daughters of farmers. “Blekinge hushållningssållśkap” gave three places to daughters of farmers from Blekinge.
The school is situated at Agdatorp farm, in Nettraby, about 12 km. from Karlskrona. The term commences on April 1st and lasts until October 31st. Applications must be sent in before March 15th to Fr. J. Schmidt.
Since the college was founded 79 students have passed out. Of this number only eight have taken posts. The usual salary is from 15 kr. per month, board and lodging being provided. Some of the students have completed their training at other colleges, others pursue the interest of gardening in their own homes. It is clear that the salary mentioned is that of an under gardener, for the salary of a head gardener in Sweden varies from 300 kr. to 800 kr., with board and lodging; it is also usual to give a percentage upon the sales in the garden. Most of the women who study for gardening in Sweden do so in order to direct their own gardens. Many go through a course of training in a market garden, and some have been educated in colleges in other countries.