130 THE GARDENER. [March 



tried to do their best. I do not contradict the statement, that the best men are 

 generall}' most successful in tlie end ; but I do say that tlie ])resent uselessness (I 

 can use no other word) of under-gardeners is cliiefly due to the present pernicious 

 system of rewarding all alike. Under-gardeners are undoubtedly underpaid, as 

 a rule ; but as long as they are all paid alike, whether they are good or bad, so 

 long will they continue to jog on, never caring nor thinking whether they are 

 really gardeners or not. But let head-gardeners adopt a system of paying accord- 

 ing to ability, and then under-gardeners will become better workmen, giving 

 more satisfaction to all concerned, while decidedly inferior ones will be obliged 

 to try the besom of the scavenger or shovel of the navvy, as being a better paid 

 job ; and then gardening will cease to be disgraced by misnamed gardeners. 



An Under-Gardener. 



[We have several communications on this subject, but think our readers will 

 not be greatly interested in much more of it. — Ed.] 



NOTES OK" TODEAS. 



ToDEA SUPERBA IS One of tliG most beautiful of all Eerns, and worth 

 a place in the most select collection. A well-grown plant will be 

 from 2 to 3 feet in diameter ; and when this result is attained, 

 and the fresh green semi-pellucid fronds droop gracefully on all sides, 

 it is an object of great beauty. 



Many persons have failed in the cultivation of this plant by at- 

 tempting to grow it in too high a temperature ; but when grown in a 

 cool fernery, and plentifully supplied with moisture both in the at- 

 mosphere and at its roots, it will be found to succeed well, and its 

 fronds will not only be stouter and broader, but Slso of a better 

 colour, than those grown in a hot stove. The plant is a native of Xew 

 Zealand, and has been imported in considerable quantities, some of the 

 trunks being from 1 foot to 18 inches high, and from 6 to 9 inches 

 in diameter. These throw up fine heads of their feathery plumes if 

 properly treated, and eventually make splendid specimens. Todea 

 superba is grown in quantity by P. N. Eraser, Esq., Edinburgh, and 

 also by Provost Russel, Mayfield, Falkirk, the latter gentleman having 

 some fine specimens in the best possible condition. 



In cool ferneries this plant will grow remarkably well, planted out 

 in a moist situation, and soon forms a conspicuous object ; or they 

 may be successfully cultivated in a glass case specially contrived for 

 them. When placed in a suitable position, this plant grows rapidly ; 

 and I have found them grow best in a compost of peat, living Sphagnum 

 moss, and coarse river-sand, taking particular care that the pot is 

 thoroughly well drained. The plant under discussion, like many- 

 others, is partial to an abundant supply of moisture overhead and at 



