1869.] THE EDUCATION OF GAPvDENERS. 553 



greatly prevents the quick travel of tlie Peach scale ; but, like the 

 others, it is too weak to combat the Pear scale. 



On a small scale I tried, by way of experiment, on the strong 

 branches of an old tree which was very badly infested with scale, 

 both train-oil and paraffin-oil, not mixed, but separate. Both did its 

 work effectually in killing the scale ; and, to my great surprise, in a 

 few days the paraffin-oil had completely evaporated, and left the remains 

 of the dead scale quite loose to be blown off or washed off with the 

 elements, while the branches done with the train-oil remain until this 

 day as if polished on purpose. Finding myself safe to a certain extent 

 after my discovery with the paraffin-oil, I had the affected trees dressed 

 wholesale, and I continued dressing them in the spring until the buds 

 were h an inch long, without doing any injury, although I would 

 recommend the trees to be done properly while in a dormant state, 

 applying the paraffin just as it is bought with a painters' brush; and, 

 singular to remark, on those branches which were worst incrusted with 

 the scale, when set at liberty, as it were, by the dressing of paraffin- 

 oil, the bark less or more cracked, and pushed out breastward from 

 what I believe to be quite dormant branches ; and I may also state that 

 the fresh foliage was remarkably beautiful. J. Miller. 



Worksop Manor. 



THE EDUCATIOlSr OF GARDENERS. 



Sir, — A vast amount of misunderstanding prevails respecting the 

 object which the Society of Arts has in view in getting up examina- 

 tions on horticulture ; and with your permission I shall endeavour to 

 put the matter in a clear and fair light, and thereby do simple justice 

 to a good cause. 



The prizes and certificates which the Society of Arts offers are in- 

 tended to stimulate young men to think, to become acquainted with 

 principles, and in the end to deserve the name not of mere workmen, 

 but of skilled workmen v/ho have some knowledge of the laws of 

 nature. It is taken for granted that the capacity for doing is looked 

 after elsewhere, and by every employer and superior ; and it certainly 

 is, for no one need expect promotion in Adam's business whose hands 

 are not as expert in executing as his head is in comprehending. Trials 

 in digging and suchlike are carried on every day, Sunday excepted; 

 and any one south of the Tweed, and calling aloud for the spade and 

 rake, who disbelieves this doctrine, has only to cross over for a while 

 in order to find out his mistake. The practical test is constantly in 

 operation, and has been for centuries, but the theoretical test is a new 



