1885.] EXPERIENCES IN THE LIFE OF A GARDENER. 19 



to the sorrow of my employer, who wanted me to remain. I sailed 

 for Canada, and on my arrival was employed the same day by an 

 elderly lady, who had a large market garden, and employed many 

 hands. There I spent a year, and then I was put in charge of the 

 place. I can never forget the kindness of this lady to me ; better 

 she could not have been to her dearest child. Another year passed, 

 and, ambitious to make progress faster, I left and tried several 

 places, but was not extra successful, being ignorant of the practical 

 working of them. This period covered several years, during which 

 I kept myself posted in gardening by books, etc. It was at this 

 time that my advertisement began. I had bought myself a building 

 lot, and had put up a cottage on the one half of it ; the rest I kept 

 for a garden, in which I could devote my leisure hours. I was then 

 running a store on my own account, and the hours for my garden 

 had to be, for the most part, from four to eight in the morning. 

 JSTow this little garden was my advertisement, and, in a large part, 

 was the means of my getting my present position. I had it so 

 decorated with flowers, etc., that it was a matter of considerable 

 interest to the inhabitants of the city. If any person asked me 

 where I lived, I told them the street, and they would ask, '•' Is it 

 where the pretty garden is ? " Sunday afternoons I used to be 

 much gratified by seeing the crowds of people that came to look in 

 at it. Among them there once came two Ministers of the Crown 

 whom I was acquainted with. In the course of conversation they 

 asked if I understood gardening. I said yes, and related what I 

 have told above of my former life. Well, they said there was to 

 be a good position for a person of that calling at the grounds around 

 our Government Buildings, and asked if I would care to take it, 

 promising their aid if I would. I said I Avould take it, and thought 

 aU was right, but I was told I must get all the influence I could to 

 intercede for mg. This was against me, for I had but few to go to. 

 However, I got my papers ready, and here my little garden showed 

 itself again. Xo one knew me as a gardener, but every one was 

 satisfied I knew what I was about, and I had no trouble whatever 

 to get every name I asked for, which made me renew my exertions. 

 There were many applicants for the position, most of them being 

 men of no knowledge, but who had considerable influence to back 

 them. After a year's waiting in suspense, I got the appointment. 

 My trials broke out afresh as soon as I commenced the work, which 

 was a most difficult one, owing to a large amount of excavation 

 wliicli had to be made to suit a plan for part of it which had been 

 accepted as one fitted for it. It will give some idea of the extent 

 of the work the first summer, to say that 60,000 dols. were spent 

 on excavation alone, and large sums for three years more. The 



