rise superior to common labourers. It is useless to expect the generality of gentlemen, in the present times, to engage gardeners to devote all their attention and time within the walls of their gardens; and as useless for the latter class of men to imagine that they will better their profession by persisting in refusing situations, which have annexed to them something more than the mere work of growing fruit and vegetables. It is beyond a question that gentlemen now meditate a retrenchment among their servants; and that, instead of keeping up individuals to preside over every separate department, various offices are now frequently merged in one person, who receives a competent salary. Now, since this is the case, it would be wisdom in gardeners to be doing all in their power to make themselves what they are required to be. They should employ all their time and talents in making themselves acquainted with country affairs generally, so as to be able to transact business with accuracy, to give a report on the state or value of plantations, &c.; and, in short, to write, talk, and act sensibly.

For the furtherance of this end, extensive reading, not only upon gardening, but upon all those subjects which are even indirectly connected with the profession, is highly commendable. I by no means wish to depreciate gardeners, yet I must say, that, considered as a body, they are, in knowledge, a step or two behind some of the working classes around them. They must, therefore, in their leisure hours, betake themselves to some important study, which measure can alone qualify them for rising to eminence in their profession. It may be observed, in general, that all those gardeners who hold the highest places, possess a degree of knowledge above those who have inferior situations; and that, according to the ratio of information each possesses, his order in society is fixed. If young gardeners would consider this important fact, instead of indulging in useless pastimes, much good would be the result. However, they have not as yet become so singularly lukewarm to the real interests of their calling, as to forbid us to expect much study and application from them, as soon as a proper method of instruction is pointed out. I have thought, that, in those districts where their number would permit, it would be an advisable plan to form themselves into societies, for the purpose of writing upon and discussing such topics as might be thought likely to interest them afterwards. If such a thing were instituted, its beneficial results could not fail to be manifold. It would improve its members in what is accounted the trifling, but with gardeners the material, art of penmanship, and it would also materially improve their dic

tion; their ideas, which are too often hastily formed, would, by the ordeal which they would necessarily pass through, be refined; and, lastly, a taste for books and study would be instilled, which, in itself, is quite argument enough for the establishment of such an institution. If it were necessary, I could adduce actual proofs of the expediency and advantageousness of such societies. Though as yet rare among gardeners, many of them exist among mechanics; and, so far as I know, they have always been attended with success. A library forms a useful accompaniment to them; for the formation of which, a few shillings only would be required from each.

The diffusion of knowledge has of late become so general, that such a medium of improvement as I have stated must be resorted to by the younger branches of the gardening profession, to enable them at least to keep within sight of those who are rapidly approaching to perfection.

Feb., 1832.

J. G.

ART. III. On the Necessity for increased Exertion on the part of young Gardeners to store their Minds with professional and general Knowledge. By SCIENTIE ET JUSTITIE AMATOR.

Sir,

I HAVE frequently enjoyed much pleasure in reading your sentiments upon education, and the many advices and instructions you have imparted for the purpose of inciting young men to pursue the acquisition of knowledge, as necessary to their filling the station of head gardener with honour to themselves and satisfaction to their employers.

If ever there was a time when young men ought to bestir themselves, and pay particular attention to the cultivation of their intellect, it is surely now, when knowledge is majestically traversing the length and breadth of our land; not only visiting the splendid mansions of the great, but condescending also to enter the clay biggins of the humble poor; exerting its beneficial influence upon man in every grade of life; removing the veil which delusion had cast over truth; dispersing the mist and vapour which had obscured the mental landscape; and triumphing over ignorance, when seated most securely in her fortresses and strongholds.

The enjoyment which results from the acquisition of knowledge is so delightful, that this circumstance ought to operate as a sufficient inducement to the prosecution of it. The man who has a well-cultivated mind possesses a treasure

so purely his own, that all the devices of designing men will be insufficient to deprive him of it. It is a mighty resource, which will give an elevation and a sublimity to his conceptions; enable him to perceive the true nature of things; raise him above those deep-rooted prejudices which he had cherished as positive truth; and, fixed upon a foundation too secure to be ever swept away by the force of reasoning or the strength of argument, deliver him from many an unnecessary fear, and prove a great source of comfort and consolation to his mind, when forced to contend with the trials and adversities of life. Although it is clearly the duty and the interest of all to exert themselves, in order to keep pace with the march of intellect; it is peculiarly imperative upon the young man who aims at filling the situation of head gardener. As then he will be under the necessity of conversing or corresponding with his employer, it is requisite he should possess a scientific as well as a practical knowledge of his profession, and that his attainments in general information should be such as will enable him to act and conduct himself in a manner consistent with the sphere of life in which he must move.

Although it may be deemed the height of presumption in one, who is but young in years, and consequently has had only limited observation and experience, I cannot but say that, notwithstanding the many examples we possess of individuals who, in spite of the difficulties they had to contend with, on account of the wages of journeymen gardeners being so unaccountably and vexatiously low, have yet risen to respectability, if not to eminence, in the attainment of knowledge; there are still many who idly, uselessly, if not criminally, spend that portion of time which ought to be devoted to mental improvement. I have conversed with many upon this subject, and have frequently been told that the acquisition of knowledge was attended with no advantageous result; that interest was the only thing now-a-days; and that, since a person of considerable influence had promised to do something for them, they would not deprive themselves of enjoyment, and destroy their eyesight and constitutions with poring over books. I wish there were no truth in their statement, and that true merit would be sufficient to work its own way. I should not have adverted to this, if I were not fully convinced that it is by the attainment of knowledge only, that gardeners will maintain their place in society, and because I consider that to ignorance and indifference many of the evils of which we complain may be traced. I have frequently heard it made a subject of complaint, that in some

places the wages of gentlemen's gardeners have been considerably reduced; but, from what little has come under my observation, I am not in the least surprised at it. When a gentleman, whose premises are extensive, engages a gardener, he expects to find a man whose knowledge is commensurate with the station he is to fill; and when he finds, from experience, that his attainments scarcely exceed those of a common labourer, the question will very naturally arise, why should I give the one so much more remuneration than the other? When I see instances of men filling first-rate situations who are any thing but first-rate in their attainments, I feel more surprised that such should keep their places, than that the wages, in some instances, should have been reduced. Did the evil confine itself to the careless individuals themselves, it would not be so much; but it fills the mind with regret, to think, that, for the carelessness and ignorance of one, the comforts of another will be diminished, however learned and skilful he may be. The mischief does not end here: not only the intelligent head gardener suffers, but the poor journeyman must come in also for his share. There is scarcely an evil which he has to complain of (such as some of your correspondents have ably described, whether with respect to the distant, haughty, overbearing manner of the master; the insolence he must put up with; the insults, sneers, and direct despotism which he must bear without a word of discontent escaping from his lips, or the certainty of losing his place in consequence), but, in a great many instances, may be easily traced to the ignorance and presumption of the master. I would fain believe that there are few instances of well-informed men who use their young assistants in so disgraceful a manner. Knowledge, real knowledge, begets condescension, affability, and kindness. Ignorance, joined with prosperity, very often generates pride, vanity, and arrogance. It would be an easy matter to show proofs of the truth of these statements; but that is not the intention of this letter. To be placed under a vain ignorant master is a very disagreeable situation for a persevering young man ; as he will often see men of decided abilities passed over, whilst individuals of very moderate attainments will be promoted.

I have no space to say any thing about the painful disappointment which a young man experiences, when, after devoting his time to the acquisition of knowledge, he perceives that, on account of the want of influence, he is likely to pass through life's dark vale unnoticed and unknown. To make knowledge more prevalent amongst gardeners, some method

must be taken, so as to make it apparent that it will be impossible to gain good situations without proportionate qualifications. I should be much gratified if either you, or some of your correspondents, would bestow a little attention upon this subject. If societies were formed where young gardeners could be examined, by unbiassed competent judges, previously to their obtaining situations, and certificates of character awarded to them as first, second, or third, according to the extent and depth of their abilities and knowledge, then ignorance would receive a mighty shock, every excuse for idleness would be thrown aside, and the principles of knowledge make rapid progress amongst us. If something of this nature were fairly commenced, there would be little doubt as to its success. Gentlemen would naturally apply for gardeners where they would run the least risk of being disappointed. There is scarcely a class of men that, in general, are in possession of so many means and opportunities for mental improvement as gardeners; and the necessity of such improvement being once made clearly apparent, and absolutely indispensable, the prosecution of it will not fail to follow. The advantages resulting from the formation of such a society would be very great. Then we should see few of those pretended gardeners, who are a disgrace to the name; then merit, unaided by patronage and favour, would work its own way; then carelessness and idleness would see that something else was necessary besides the influence of a Sir this, or a Lord that; and then every assemblage of gardeners, instead of exhibiting scenes of idleness or nonsense, would be converted into debating and literary meetings, classes of experimental philosophy, and mutual instruction societies.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Near London, Feb. 7. 1832.

SCIENTIÆ ET JUSTITIE AMATOR.

ART. IV. On Gardening Recrcations, as a Substitute for Foxhunting, Horse-racing, and other brutalising Sports. By Mr. THOMAS CLARK, Jun.

Sir,

It must be a source of great pleasure to every virtuous and reflecting mind, to observe how generally a taste for rational pleasures, as exemplified in the growing partiality for the study of natural history, and in the encouragement given to all the various branches of horticulture, is superseding the more hardy sports of the field, and the brutalising amuse