The residence is a roomy old farm-house, facing south. Its position is thoroughly healthy, 400 feet above sea level.
An old-fashioned garden lies to one side of the house, and four acres of land on the other side, on which the main crops are grown, consisting of hardy fruits, perennials, and other crops.
The farm is conducted as a market garden for business purposes. Students will thus see practical work—the object being to provide outdoor work of the healthiest kind, and at the same time to give a thoroughly practical knowledge of country life—knowledge that may be used as a means of livelihood or in superintending a garden, and will, in any case, be of unfailing interest and use in after life. It is not intended to take a large number of students, so that each student will have individual attention, and her capacity be carefully studied.
The greatest care is taken with regard to the food of the students, and their health carefully guarded.
PRACTICAL WORK
Horticulture.—Instruction in all branches of outdoor gardening; specialities being made of herbaceous plants, violets, and fruit.
Bee-Keeping.—Instruction in the management of bees, including lectures and coaching for the B. B. K. A. Experts’ Examinations. Practical work and manipulation is carried on in the farm apiary.
Carpentering.—Students are instructed in the workshop in the making of various gardening and bee-keeping appliances.
Jam Factory.—Jam making is taught in the small factory which was instituted for the production of homemade preserves.
A French garden has now been added, and a competent Frenchman teaches this branch only. It is worked upon the lines of the famous “Maraîche” system, and differs in every detail from an English garden. All vegetables and fruits are brought on out of season. At present we have 400 frames, all made, glazed, painted, by the students, and 1,000 cloches.