“After the two years’ learning is completed the pupils receive a testimonial as to their qualifications and achievements. But no examination is held, as I hold that not being held by qualified Government examiners they are practically useless. My aim is to give my pupils a thoroughly sound practical education.
“There is a great demand for well trained lady gardeners, and one who is skillful commands a good social position. I have so many offers for trained pupils that the demand far overreaches the supply. Salaries commence with about £30, including food, and treatment as a member of the family. Many of my pupils are filling situations on estates, schools for economy, sanatoria, private gardens, etc. Two former pupils are now teachers of horticulture at the Household School for Women at Reifenstein, near Leinefelde (Prov. Saxony), and at Maidburg, near Kempen (Prov. Posen). One pupil has been gardener-in-chief at the large training home for girls near Berlin; then she went to America, where she is manager of a large private garden in New York. Another pupil occupied the post as paid assistant at an extensive vegetable growing plantation near Kiel, and was able to work as fast and satisfactorily as the male assistants. Other pupils again, including some Danes and Norwegians, cultivate their own gardens or take situations in their own country. Still another pupil founded, about two years ago, a Horticultural School at Wolfenbüttel (Brunswick), following the same principles as taught at my school.
“There is no difficulty in finding really good situations for skilful workers, and gardening has proved a blessing to many of our sex.
“Marta Back.
“Holtenau, September, 1907.”
The above account gives such a graphic description that I need only add the terms. A thorough education and good health are required of those applying for vacancies. The terms are:—50 marks per quarter. Pension for students the first year, 75 marks per month; pension for students the second year, 70 marks per month. This must be paid three months in advance.
AUGUSTE-FÖRSTER INSTITUTION, OBERZWEHREN (KREIS CASSEL)
The Kassel Society for the Education of Women has provided in the Auguste-Förster Institute a country school where young girls and women may obtain a thorough training in three different departments: viz., horticulture, domestic economy, and poultry and pig-rearing, etc. The instruction, combining theoretical information and practical work, is given by accomplished female teachers. Six to eight scholars can be taken for each department.
The duration and direction of the course are regulated by the result aimed at. The time of study in each department lasts a year; scholars, who intend to make use of their training in their own home, can take a half-year’s course.
Students are not permitted to take the different courses concurrently. Those who successfully pass an examination, held at the end of the year’s course, receive a certificate of proficiency. These certificates are of special importance to those who wish to earn their living in the gardener’s calling, or as housekeepers. The year’s course and certificate are also valuable to those who become teachers of domestic economy in rural house-keeping schools, as the regulation examination for domestic economy does not include such special country subjects as horticulture, poultry-rearing, etc. For those who have already attended similar institutions, and wish further instruction without intending to make money by it, a shorter course of study, under special conditions, is arranged.