Situation.—The gardens are situated on the south slope of Corstorphine Hill, in a charming district just beyond the suburbs of Edinburgh. They are within two miles of the west end of the city, within three minutes’ walk of the 'bus service, and within seven minutes’ walk of Corstorphine railway station. The position is eminently suitable both for gardening and for residence.
Grounds.—Part of the garden is devoted to growing for market, and students are taught how to work a market garden through all its stages—from the preparation of the ground and sowing the seeds to the packing of the produce for the market. In this department is included the growing of stuff under glass, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, flowers, etc. Another department deals with the requirements of good private gardens, and includes a vinery, peach-house, mushroom-house, rose garden, herbaceous border, and kitchen garden.
Practical Instruction.—The practical instruction includes all the details of actual work, such as hoeing, digging, care of glass-houses, propagation of plants by seeds, cuttings, etc.; planting-out, thinning, potting, pruning, gathering, and packing. Demonstrations, in which the students take a practical part, are given by experts in bee-keeping and floral decoration, including bouquet-making, sprays and button-holes, table decoration, and wreaths.
Theoretical Instruction.—All intelligent practical work must include a certain amount of theoretical instruction in order to explain the reasons for the various operations necessary. At the same time a more formal and exact study of the sciences underlying the practice of gardening is necessary, and in order to obtain this the students attend certain classes at the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture. Students are prepared for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Examination.
The Curriculum.—The full curriculum extends over two years. Shorter courses may be arranged for those who wish to study with a view to private instruction only, and do not propose to follow gardening as a profession.
The Diploma.—Every care is taken in the arrangements for practical instruction, lectures and examinations, to ensure that the diploma shall be a reliable guarantee of thorough efficiency in the theory and practice of gardening. It will be granted only to students who have taken part in the regular practical work of the school for two years, and have passed satisfactorily examinations in the following subjects:—
Horticulture (Royal Horticultural Society’s Examination), practical horticulture, botany, agricultural chemistry, book-keeping.
Boarding arrangements.—Both resident and non-resident students are received. Resident students live with the principals, Miss Barker and Miss Morison. Two references are required from each student.
Terms.—The session is divided into three terms, beginning respectively in May, October, and January. Students are advised to begin either in May or in October.
Fees.—Resident students, £70 a year; resident students, with separate bedroom, £86; non-resident students, with dinner and tea, £40. Fees are payable at the beginning of each term. A term’s notice is required before a student leaves, otherwise the fee for the term will be charged.