24 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



their shortcomings leniently, it must be admitted that very many show 

 a deplorable want of discretion and good sense in their first outset as 

 master-gardeners, not only in managing an establishment, but quite 

 as frequently in managing their relations with their employers, and 

 everybody with whom they are necessarily thrown in contact. Many 

 a one has lost a good situation through no want of ability as a gar- 

 dener, but solely through stubbornness, or inability to conform to cir- 

 cumstances over which he has no control. Scotch gardeners, more so 

 than English, have very high notions concerning their prerogatives, 

 perhaps because they are generally better educated than Englishmen 

 of the same class, and have more pride of craft about them, which 

 sometimes takes the form of conceit with young men from large estab- 

 lishments, but generally destined, sooner or later, to get a " fearfu' 

 settler." 



A large share of self-confidence is, however, necessary in a gar- 

 dener who wishes to push ahead, but it must be accompanied with 

 energy and resolution. Work does not end with the journeyman's 

 career. I do not mean that the master is to make a navvy of himself, 

 or take the spade along with his men. There are some places where 

 a large share of work devolves upon him, but in establishments worthy 

 of the name, where an ordinary staff is employed, a sensible employer 

 will leave the matter to the discretion of his gardener, and he can 

 employ himself to much better purpose by thinking for, and arranging 

 the work for, those under him. As a rule, the ordinary workman 

 takes but a limited interest in his duties, some none at all, and it 

 requires all the superintendent's watchfulness and attention to details 

 to prevent the waste of energy that would thereby result. The study 

 of his men, and their various capabilities, is not the least important 

 duty of the master, and a little tact in this way will often save much 

 trouble and annoyance. Frequent changing tells against a garden 

 very much, and he does well who realises this at the beginning. In 

 all cases authority must be maintained, but there are various ways of 

 doing this, and much depends upon circumstances. We know places 

 in England and Scotland where a whole locality sometimes depends 

 upon one man for employment, and where heads of departments can 

 do pretty much as they please ; but in the great centres of industry, 

 and perhaps among a rude population, where high prices are paid for 

 unskilled labour, a gardener has to contend with some difficulties in 

 securing and maintaining a permanent staff, which good wages do not 

 always overcome. This is a fact which gardeners from north of the 

 Tweed very often realise. The English labourer is a willing, but a 

 very independent, individual; and the condition of his funds — often 

 low enough — is no barrier to the exercising of his independence to its 



