The report was published in several papers, and Dr. Castner received letters from all parts, asking where the school of horticulture was to be found, carried out on these principles. A determined little lady, Frau Rackau, from Jena, came to Berlin to present herself at this school. It seemed the propitious moment to start the school; friends thronged round, circumstances were favourable. An attempt by the formation of a company to interest a larger public failed miserably, and courageous Dr. Castner, inspired by the need of giving to German women the new calling of practical gardening, opened on the 1st October, 1894, the first German female School of Horticulture, with seven scholars. The other part of the Friedenauer house happened to be free; it was turned into living-and classrooms for the future scholars. The necessary tools were obtained, and so the work began, though differently from Miss Castner’s first intentions. As it had not been possible to rouse the active interest of educated German women, particularly those living in the country, the school could not be limited to their own country-women, as had been the original plan. Our statistical tables plainly show how largely foreigners are in the majority.
The difficulties of the beginning were successfully overcome; the garden, now three acres, attracted students in growing numbers. In April, 1895, ten new scholars joined the original seven, and in the next year seventeen were added. From that time a regular increase went on.
Yet many hindrances remained. If women were indifferent, gardeners showed the liveliest, though not friendly, interest in the scheme, and it took years to convince them they would not be harmed by the new ideas.
Prominent men like Professors Wittenack, Herren, Ascherson, Sorauer, Garden-Inspector Lindemint, and others, whose judgment carried great weight, were most sceptical. They feared, not without cause, that the training for women, as was too common, would be imperfect. Some examinations, at which they were present on the invitation of Dr. Elvira Castner, convinced them of the thoroughness of our work, and with just pride we count them now amongst our truest friends.
The establishment soon won general respect. House and garden at Friedenau became too small, and a move was made in October, 1899, to Marienfelde, where the garden of ten acres and the large house promised to be sufficient for years to come. Miss Castner gave up her dental practice and devoted herself entirely to the school. The interest of German women was at last awakened, and what was impossible ten years previously was now imitated in Godesberg and other places. Schools of horticulture, on the Marienfelde model, were started.
Next comes the question of the training and the after career of the students. The prospectus and plan of studies of the institution abundantly answer the first question. I believe I can rightly say one seldom finds such an excellent organisation, with so harmonious an intermingling of theory and practice. The gardener’s calling is thoroughly practical, but theoretical instruction cannot be left in the background. In our school only the afternoon hours belong to scientific exposition, the whole morning is devoted to practical work. This is more necessary, as most ladies come to us without the slightest preliminary knowledge, and an obligatory previous apprenticeship was part of our ideal scheme. It is no slight task for a head-gardener to overlook and occupy in the garden fifty to sixty ladies, many without former training. A suitable organisation, formed in the course of years, considerably lightens this task, and the number of students in the gardens might be doubled without causing Herr Cornelius (our present head-gardener) much more trouble. Each lady learns to begin and finish her task without help; second year students are allowed partly to arrange their own work for each season, and are responsible for their management of it.
The ten-acre garden is not sufficient to employ the many students, although all the work is done by the ladies; more ground has been added, and, in addition, each class undertakes to keep in order one or two private gardens in the colony.
What becomes of all the students after training? Do they find really satisfactory posts? Up till now the situations offered cannot be filled, there not being sufficient candidates. The great varieties in the exercise of this calling, which in my opinion are not nearly exhausted, promise to all women, giving themselves to it, a suitable and pleasant occupation.
All nerve and lung sanatoria, as well as Nature Cure establishments, on whose patients garden work exercises such a beneficial effect, all house-keeping schools, kindergarten, benevolent institutions and orphanages will, it is to be hoped, in a few years, consider the appointment of a trained lady gardener a matter of course. Then come posts in private gardens, in town or country, nursery gardens, soon it is to be hoped school gardens, and all new schools of horticulture.
A glance at our statistics shows that proportionately few scholars of the two years’ course undergo the examination, and later take situations. This is explained by the different scholars who come here, and who may be divided into three classes:—