1871.] GARDEN SUPERINTENDENCE. 23 



Seakale is in its fittest state for using when 7 or 8 inches high. 

 When allowed to grow longer it loses in thickness what it gains in 

 height, and becomes tough and stringy. D. T. 



GARDEN SUPEKINTENDENCE. 



To have everything that may be wanted and of fair general excellence, 

 and everything in general good order, is the true test of a good prac- 

 tical gardener in the average garden establishment ; where, as a rule, 

 the means are limited, and the gardener's ingenuity taxed pretty 

 severely. But where men and material are allowed without stint, 

 something more is, and ought to be, expected. In the latter case, an 

 ordinary man will probably content himself with discharging the every- 

 day duties of his situation — his aspirations not extending beyond the 

 garden-walls ; while an energetic man, who is fond of his business, 

 would think he had failed if he did not accomplish a great deal more 

 for the benefit of horticulture generally. This is the right man in the 

 right place, and there are not a few such who have given horticul- 

 ture a visible lift in our time — men who form the front rank of 

 the profession ; behind comes a motley company of talkers and workers, 

 the former not unfrequently jostling their way to the front, pushed on 

 by the mere force of circumstances, like 



" Things that we know are neither rich nor rare, 

 But wonder how the d 1 they got there." 



I fancy, if all gardeners were tried strictly by the test I have indi- 

 cated, many a verdict would be reversed. Horticultural exhibitions 

 bring out prominent features, but the best prizes do not always indi- 

 cate the best gardeners. Indeed, prize-schedules do not often afi'ord 

 the opportunity. The prize ofi'ered by the ' Gardeners' Chronicle ' pro- 

 prietors at the Royal Horticultural Society's Provincial Shows, is a 

 step in the right direction ; and here, by the way, I would beg to sug- 

 gest that the ' Gardener ' put in an appearance at Nottingham this 

 year, having its worthy Editor to concoct a nut for exhibitors to crack. 

 But to return to our subject, and to begin at the beginning, I would 

 say that the first step towards a successful career is for the beginner 

 to get into a first-class establishment, where everything is done, and 

 done well. In nine cases out of ten he will probably never have an 

 opportunity of doing things as he has been accustomed ; but it is a 

 great matter to know in what perfection consists ; and perfection ought 

 always to be his aim. I am, of course, assuming a young gardener to 

 make the best of his opportunities ; but with every inclination to view 



