SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE FOR LADIES, AT HOLTENAU, NEAR KIEL, SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN
“I willingly comply with the request to contribute a short report of my work in connection with the above institution, which I founded in 1901.
“It is beautifully situated on an elevation gently sloping south towards Kiel Harbour, near the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal. It contains two hot-houses, eighty forcing frames, about 500 fruit trees of all sorts and kinds, a grand assortment of shrubs, ornamental trees and conifers. Two alleys of high-grown pear trees (interlaced) in the shape of a large cross form the centre of the garden.
“I opened the school with five pupils; at present there are seventeen. The course of training is two years for those who wish to take up gardening as a profession, and one year for amateurs.
“The study is twofold: Practical and theoretical. Our practical course comprises:—Fruit growing: How to grow best dessert fruit on large and small farm trees. Harvesting the fruit. Storing and packing it. There are about forty different kinds of apples, thirty-five pear and fifteen plum trees. Preserving various fruits in various ways. Then there is the annual grafting of wild trees, the culture of farm trees, of high standard and half-high standards. We also grow apples, pears, and peaches in pots and tubs. Vegetable growing includes forcing in the hot-house and frames, as well as cultivation of all suitable kinds in the open field. I teach preserving and wintering of vegetables. In flower growing we specially take those pot plants that sell well, as: Chrysanthemum indicum, Primula obconica and chinensis, cyclamen, begonias, amaryllis, hyacinths, tulips, cineraria, etc. But of course we also cultivate exotics.
SCHOOL FOR LADY GARDENERS, HOLTENAU, NEAR KIEL SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.
“In the open we cultivate the favourite spring and summer flowers, annual and perennial roses, etc. Thus we obtain abundant material for cut flowers, which serve for teaching the pupils to make up bouquets, table decorations, etc. We use the garden stuff first of all for our own household, but the remainder—by far the larger part—is sold in Kiel, thus teaching the pupils the actual market value of their materials.
“At the Schleswig-Holstein Horticultural Exhibition in 1906 our school gained four first and three second prizes; several diplomas; and the silver State medal for fruit-packing.
“For landscape gardening we have small plantations, where every year we train new trees by means of slips, suckers, shoots, and heaping up. We have had orders to plan and lay out several gardens in Kiel and Holtenau.
“Now and then visits are arranged to the various nurseries, market gardens, private gardens of importance, or the Botanical Gardens at Kiel, so as to give the pupils opportunity of seeing other plants and other ways of arranging and growing.
“Our scientific course comprises:—Botany, chemistry, mineralogy (taught by a University man), drawing (by the municipal head-gardener). Drawing includes: Geometrical problems, drawing plans of small and large gardens, then designs of pupils’ own making; correct calculation of expenses, and working plans in detail.
“Land surveying and levelling are first taught theoretically, then practically. Much importance is attached to a thoroughly accurate drawing of plans, as it is excellent practice for the eye for all things pertaining to gardening. In regard to plan drawing we have had many successes. At the before-mentioned Schleswig-Holstein Horticultural Show in Kiel, September, 1906, five pupils exhibited their own designs in garden plans, with schemes for working them, and bill of costs attached, which gained distinctions; two pupils received the Ehrenpreis, given by H.H. Duchess Caroline Mathilde of Schleswig-Holstein-Glücksburg. At the exhibition in Bremen in 1907 two pupils earned honourable mention by the Horticultural Society.
“Then we have lessons on soil, manure, zoology, arboriculture, and how to lay out plantations. Our practical subjects are thoroughly entered into, and treated also from their scientific basis.
“As a test of the work done by the pupils there is an annual exhibition of garden produce of all kinds, and of the pupils’ drawings, in the hall of the Institution. Friends and experts are invited. We have had cheering visits of inspection from the Kieler Horticultural Club and the Frauenverein.
“After the two years’ learning is completed the pupils receive a testimonial as to their qualifications and achievements. But no examination is held, as I hold that not being held by qualified Government examiners they are practically useless. My aim is to give my pupils a thoroughly sound practical education.
“There is a great demand for well trained lady gardeners, and one who is skillful commands a good social position. I have so many offers for trained pupils that the demand far overreaches the supply. Salaries commence with about £30, including food, and treatment as a member of the family. Many of my pupils are filling situations on estates, schools for economy, sanatoria, private gardens, etc. Two former pupils are now teachers of horticulture at the Household School for Women at Reifenstein, near Leinefelde (Prov. Saxony), and at Maidburg, near Kempen (Prov. Posen). One pupil has been gardener-in-chief at the large training home for girls near Berlin; then she went to America, where she is manager of a large private garden in New York. Another pupil occupied the post as paid assistant at an extensive vegetable growing plantation near Kiel, and was able to work as fast and satisfactorily as the male assistants. Other pupils again, including some Danes and Norwegians, cultivate their own gardens or take situations in their own country. Still another pupil founded, about two years ago, a Horticultural School at Wolfenbüttel (Brunswick), following the same principles as taught at my school.
“There is no difficulty in finding really good situations for skilful workers, and gardening has proved a blessing to many of our sex.
“Marta Back.
“Holtenau, September, 1907.”
The above account gives such a graphic description that I need only add the terms. A thorough education and good health are required of those applying for vacancies. The terms are:—50 marks per quarter. Pension for students the first year, 75 marks per month; pension for students the second year, 70 marks per month. This must be paid three months in advance.