A course of study for two or three years, such as I have described, is certainly not too lengthy. Each plant, shrub, tree, goes through the same phases once in each year. Although these processes are repeated year after year, they may be subjected to variations of weather and temperature. Different treatment is probably necessary each year. Time only can show this. Books teach much and so also do lectures, but only when supplemented by practical experience, will they make a competent gardener.
The intending girl-gardener should make up her mind from the beginning that she must spend money on a three years’ course of training. It should be taken in the way that best suits the individual case; there need never be regret for the money spent upon it. It is only by skill and knowledge that employment will eventually be secured.
Therefore the beginner should do some practical work in a garden, and cram botany, chemistry, and physics into her head. When she has a free day, or if other opportunity occurs, visits should be made to other gardens. Then it will be possible to learn the names and habits of new plants, and, by studying a different treatment of them, the powers of observation will be increased.
After college training an effort should be made to get a subordinate paid post, for whatever branch of Horticulture it is decided to specialise in. No attempt should be made to superintend a large garden until, as they say of children, the student has learned “to feel her feet.”
I propose to give a short account of the different branches available from which a selection can be made. It will be convenient to divide them into two classes:—
A. Which require training and education only:—
I.—Landscape Gardening.
II.—Jobbing Gardening.
III.—Head gardener in a private garden.
B. Which requires capital as well as training and education:—