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.