328 THE GARDENER. [July 



CHEMISTRY IN COISr]SrECTIO]Sr WITH HORTICULTURE. 



Botany is the science which gardeners generally identify as the one 

 pre-eminently connected with gardening. In one sense, botany is a 

 "gardener's science" before all others; but I question if botany can 

 lay claim to our notice as being of as much practical value as chemistry. 

 Botany, chemistry, and geology are, properly speaking, different 

 branches of one division of natural philosophy, and to thoroughly un- 

 derstand any one of them, one must have a certain knowledge of the 

 other two. One cannot be a thorough botanist without knowing the 

 chemical components of the plants he studies ; one cannot be a thorough 

 geologist without knowing to what order or class to refer the fossilised 

 plants which his science has discovered ; and one cannot be a chemist 

 without having plants, and rocks, and minerals to operate upon. 



It is with a view to draw the attention of gardeners like myself 

 (just entering, as it were, into real gardening life), to chemistry, that I 

 have written this. I lay no claim whatever to be a chemist myself, 

 in any sense of the term, only I hope I know enough to see the im- 

 portance of a clearer, deeper knowledge of the science. 



There has often been pressed upon the attention of gardeners, especi- 

 ally young gardeners, the necessity of some mental cultivation, in order 

 to prevent our intellects — like our gardens — from running rampant 

 with confusion — worse, noxious weeds. There are differences in intel- 

 lects, just as there are differences in soils ; but, as almost any soil can 

 by cultivation be made to '' bloom and blossom as the rose," so, in 

 like manner, can the intellects be made to bloom and blossom, or, 

 neglected, become the nursery-bed of noxious weeds, not only ruining 

 the possessor, but spreading seeds of ruin all around. 



It is as a means of cultivating the mind that I recommend the study 

 of chemistry ; and not only so, but as a means of profit, for a thorough 

 knowledge of the elements of this science will fit the possessor for a 

 higher position in life than the man who knows nothing whatever of 

 its teachings. 



It is that we may become better gardeners that I recommend it; for, 

 be it borne in mind, that it is given to few to excel in more things than 

 one, therefore the thing we should excel in is gardening ; so, while 

 cultivating our minds in the study of science, let us select those sciences 

 which will help us on our way to perfection in that profession of which 

 we are representatives. 



"With our worthy Editor's permission, I will, at some future time, 

 indicate a few points in horticulture where a knowledge of chemistry 

 would revolutionise the daily operations of not a few. 



In conclusion, let me say that I address myself " principally to you 



