178 THE GARDENER. [April 



than described. Thus the pleasure of walking or travelling in the country be- 

 comes a double one, as in dilferent places the many diversified gems of Flora are 

 recognised, growing and blooming in all their native simplicity and beauty. 



A true florist will show forth his character by seeking and endeavouring to use 

 his influence in making others, and especially those around him, partakers of his 

 happiness, by disseminating knowledge, contributing books, plants, flowers, seeds, 

 and the like, interchanging the same betimes, knowing by sweet experience the 

 pleasure thereby derived, more particularly stimulating and encouraging those 

 of his poorer brethren who have not tasted one of nature's sweets, and know not 

 of such a blessing within their reach as is experienced in the culture and society 

 of flowers. 



If then such innocent, healthy, and elevating pleasures as are experienced by 

 many be extended to others, what would it not be if by a united effort of 

 Queen Flora's dutiful and loyal subjects such advantages and pleasures were 

 secured to the masses, more particularly the deserving working-classes, where, 

 in a garden of their own, when their hard day's work is done, they might refresh 

 themselves by enjoying the pure air, and most agreeably and pleasantly spend 

 their evenings and Saturday half-holidays by an interchange of thought and senti- 

 ment with their fellow-men ? 



For this pui'pose I would crave your influence, the ' Gardener,' the good 

 readers thereof, and our esteemed worthy lady allies, in attaining this object ; 

 while I further crave space in your pages and draw attention to the West 

 Meadows here, which is being gradually levelled and filled up with all kinds of 

 rubbish, which to many seems a pity, before determining in what way it is to be 

 laid out, and perhaps ultimately proving to be so much labour lost, especially as 

 great advantage could be taken of the undulations on the ground in the way of 

 landscape-gardening; and I may be permitted to suggest that "the powers 

 that be" could not do a more pleasing and philanthropic action than by laying 

 out the West Meadows as a " Southern Public Botanical Garden and Recreation 

 Ground" — a boon to the countless numbers of pleasure-seekers, especially to 

 those of the south-side residenters of the town, who, finding the Botanical 

 Gardens too much out of the way (to their great loss be it said), seldom or never 

 visit that noble establishment. By such an action our Town -Council would 

 further promote and foster healthy exercise, innocent recreation, and pleasure. 

 Unlike other public gardens in the city, such as Princes Street for instance, 

 where the flowers and shrubs there make a spasmodic efi'ort to live, on account 

 of smoke and impurity of atmosphere, the West Meadows, possessing as it does 

 all the essentials of soil and situation, could by a very small outlay be made to 

 rival that of many gardens in the country. 



Let it be far from me to describe the modus operandi in laying out such a 

 desirable piece of ground; but with the kind indulgence of the 'Gardener' 

 readers, suppose we draw the cord, lift up to view and reveal a real living 

 landscape, animate and inanimate, transcending far in lasting solid pleasure and 

 beauty any transformation-scene ever witnessed on the boards of a city or provincial 

 theatre. Suppose, then, in the centre of the ground, a large fountain, sporting 

 in the air and glistening in the sun its silver jet of spray, which, descending like 

 "gentle dew-drops falling" on the lovely Calla or Ptichardia ethiopica, the crested 

 Lycopodium formosum, studded with Ferns, &c. ; while here and there out of 

 some fantastic nooks and crooks some members of the gold and silver finny tribe 

 bob out and in, as if quite delighted, and rejoicing in their vernal rustic home. 

 Then fancy a real fairy Fern grotto, specially laid out with taste and care for the 

 fair ladies, the esquibite tracery of whose fronds, the crosier-like germ of the 



