128 THE GARDENER. [March 



old are best for this purpose. I Lave forced them when three years old, 

 but prefer them a year or two older. When older, they are not so 

 satisfactory, but are best when the roots are all in a nice, active, 

 healthy state, and before any portion begins to decay. IVhere forcing 

 is carried on, it is necessary to sow and plant a portion according to 

 the demand every year. Asparagus should be sown in deep, rich, well- 

 worked soil ; chalky and gravelly soil, if possible, to be avoided. I 

 have often found the roots of young plants 2 feet deep where the soil 

 was good and well drained. It can never thrive where the roots are 

 annually rotted by stagnant water, and it should always be guarded 

 against. Cteorge Dawson. 



UNDER-GARDENERS. 



I don't think your correspondent J. S.'s remarks on the above are any more 

 than just. In the first place, he says when the master puts his young men 

 in the " way" of acquiring a good practical knowledge of their work as opera- 

 tives, &c. kc, his duty as a schoohuaster ceases. 



"Why should it cease? Surely not to their own advantage. J. S. has as much 

 authority to state, that if a house of Vines is watered, and the heat turned on, 

 one may expect w^ell-finished bunches of Grapes at the end of six months with- 

 out any more attention, as to say that the head-gardener is "at any time " to 

 withhold his comments, advice, or encouragement. There are exceptions to all 

 rules ; but, as a rule, young men seeing the head-gardener withhold his more 

 mature knowledge of general gardening get callous or indifferent. The first 

 opportunity that presents itself, they leave. The exceptions " may excel" when 

 they find the reins of government, as it ivere, fall on their own shoulders ; but 

 no conscientious gardener "will give up teaching " while he has anything to 

 impart. 



J. S. goes on to say that the first and most essential thing is to be an efficient 

 workman ; he must be civil and good-natured. These qualifications are a pass- 

 port to success " in themselves." Intellectual ability is tolerated, if they can 

 handle the spade or hammer in a tradesmanlike fashion. 



Has J. S. ever had to do with a young man whose intcUrdual ahUitij was even 

 above mediocrity that could not handle either spade or hammer ? We pass his 

 remarks on "labourers versus journeymen" by merely stating that if he would 

 give the tailor or the apothecary the same amount of attention he gives the 

 coal-miner, he will have no cause to complain (we think) of want of interest in 

 the discharge of their duties. 



We have our own opinion, too, about character-giving, but cannot see it in the 

 same light as J.S. No "/(o?iow?-a6fe "gardener, let him be as good-natured as it is 

 })ossible, can give a young man a character in his hand, ana iben, when referred 

 to, deny it. Our idea of the " honourable " man is, if a'characteristo be given to 

 an employee, to state the simple truth to the deserving; you can say no more. 

 On the other hand, to the empiric say candidly, " That your inability to do in 

 a satisfactory manner anything in connection with your profession, forbids me 

 saying one word in your favour." Who knows but there may be the "smallest 

 spark " of pride in that man ; that the reproof may be kindled, and may be the 



