110 THE FLORIST. 



them ; at least in the present day. But young students are often 

 exceedingly mistaken in their purchases of books. I have seen young 

 gardeners spend perhaps a week's earnings in procuring a book which, 

 when obtained, was not worth reading. Yet, when possessed, it will be 

 read, and thus there is a waste of time as well as money. If, however, 

 before purchasing or reading a new book, the young man could consult 

 his master — we say could, for, in most cases, if he could he would — 

 this double waste might be prevented. There is no way in which 

 greater assistance can be rendered to young men in a garden than by 

 supplying them with suitable books. Works of a thoroughly scientific 

 character are necessarily expensive, and the journeyman gardener's 

 wages are not such as to admit of his buying them. Hence the great 

 desirableness of forming a garden library. The late Mr. Loudon was 

 so impressed with the importance of such an institution, that he at one 

 time offered to present books, to a considerable amount, to those esta- 

 blishments that would exert themselves to form and sustain one. A 

 library of this description would consist, of course, of books of reference 

 on botanical and horticultural subjects; the extent proportioned to the 

 means at command — the most indispensable works being procured first. 

 A most important feature -would be the periodicals treating of botany 

 and horticulture, which ought, by some means or other, to be brought 

 within the reach of every young gardener. There would be no neces- 

 sity for limiting the books to those immediately connected with garden- 

 ing, except that necessity should arise from limited finances. On the 

 contrary, if good works on general subjects could be introduced, all the 

 better ; for, in many rural districts it is even yet by no means easy to 

 get at them. It may be said, this is a little like reckoning without our 

 host — where is the money to come from ? Partly from subscriptions 

 among the men themselves, and, I think we may safely say, in nine 

 cases out of ten, partly from the kindness of the owner of the estate. 

 If the gardener would take the trouble fairly to represent the matter, I 

 have the fullest confidence that there are very few gentlemen who 

 would not be glad of the opportunity to give their countenance and aid. 

 There is one point on which I hope a concluding remark may be 

 forgiven. If a gardener would really act the part of a friend to his 

 journeymen, he must make it a study to be at all times communicative. 

 Strictness is necessary, but it need not merge into stiffness or reserve. 

 Such a deportment will never lower a man in the view of his inferiors, 

 but must infallibly enhance their attachment and respect. 



F. H. JOYNES. 



GOSSIP. 



A NEW horticultural society is about being established in Bath, on 

 liberal principles. The old society had long been defunct from bad 

 management — faults, we hope, the new society will avoid. 



