26 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



unless of an unusually elastic description, would be likely to collapse, 

 and lie would rather that the indefatigable editor of the ' Directory' 

 had left his name out of the list, or that, at least, he had added a 2 

 to the cipher that indicated the accessibility of his whereabouts from 

 the station. At first, ideas of a moonlight flitting will probably occur 

 to him ; on second thoughts, he will resolve on making energetic 

 representations to the proprietor ; lastly, he will probably decide, and 

 wisely, to make the best of things as they are, until his success with 

 the means at his disposal encourages him to expect greater facilities. 

 A year's experience of a place and its capabilities will often induce 

 one to alter many plans that perhaps may have suggested themselves 

 sooner ; besides, employers do not care, and are not to be expected, to 

 launch into expense at the suggestion of one of whose ability and 

 reputation they have had as yet no practical confirmation. It is at 

 first a puzzle to one, who has been accustomed to ample assistance 

 in the shape of men and means, to know how he is to make ends 

 meet when these are altogether inadequate, and very probably the same 

 results expected. He will have a few lessons to unlearn, probably; 

 means will have to be stretched, and a strict line drawn between what 

 is essential and what is not; little superfluities — nibbling, trimming, 

 and dressing — must be given up when not likely to offend the eye 

 greatly, for good gardening is compatible with a certain amount of 

 untidiness. Under any circumstances, good tools are indispensable, 

 and should be found, otherwise work cannot be accomplished. Every- 

 thing ought to be thought out previously by those in authority, and, 

 as far as possible, every detail foreseen. An incalculable loss of time 

 is the result of want of method — a very general failing. A foreman 

 who is deficient in this quality is a complete stumbling-block to a 

 master, and the sooner they part the better for both. Some men lack 

 in a remarkable degree that sustained energy necessary for a gardener, 

 and either fail altogether or content themselves with following some 

 particular hobby — perhaps it is Orchids, perhaps Roses, perhaps Grape- 

 growing, or something else — while everything else is a complete muddle; 

 and yet such people often get elevated into great horticultural autho- 

 rities. 



A note-book should be the constant companion of master and fore- 

 man, and everything should be noted down as it occurs to the memory, 

 and this should always be referred to in arranging the work for the 

 following week or day. By doing this nothing is likely to be forgot, 

 and everything is likely to have its legitimate share of attention. 



I find I could carry the subject farther than space allows, and I will 

 conclude by enumerating the three things essential to success in a gar- 

 dener — they may be food for discussion among your readers ; the first 



