1873.] A VOICE FROM THE BOTHY. 475 



ation, as being the grand repository wherein the substantial longevity and fruit- 

 fulness of the Vine is deposited — a lasting power which manures and stimulants 

 can never impart. And, after all, the distance from commerce is of no moment, 

 as a direct communication with all parts of the kingdom, by telegraph and rail, 

 is at hand. Fruit, carefully packed in large boxes, and despatched by express 

 train from Clovenfords after dark on a winter night, is safely offered in Covent 

 Garden before daylight the following morning. 



In closing this brief notice, I cannot help mentioning the masterly order 

 which is evinced in this great establishment, resulting from the collective ex- 

 perience of years, which is transferred and exemplified on this spot, which four 

 years ago was a remote pasture-field ! No name could be more appropriately 

 connected with this vineyard that that of the worthy founder and proprietor ; 

 who has done, and is doing, more to promote and i-ender purely practical the 

 culture of the Vine than any other person in Grape-growing history. H. 



A VOICE FROM THE BOTHY. 



Gardening, our profession, is moving steadily step by step on its on- 

 ward course ; daily are the productions of the garden becoming, as it 

 were, a necessity rather than as was wont a luxury ^of life. New inven- 

 tions in connection therewith are brought to bear on nearly every 

 point. Who on erecting a house would omit laying out a garden ] 

 The house itself would look odd without a finishing horticultural 

 touch on its surroundings. What lady or person whatever does not 

 admire flowers, or like to walk through the well-kept flower-garden 1 

 Winter and summer alike, there is always something pleasing and 

 enticing in the garden of the diligent. The duties of the gardener are 

 of the most pleasing and instructive character : how lovely it is to 

 watch a simple dry seed inserted in soil and develop itself into a large 

 individual plant ! Still, his eyes must be keenly rested on everything 

 under his charge ; one hour's neglect of a tender plant would pro- 

 bably result in its entire destruction, after, perhaps, it has occupied 

 months of his time to bring it to a state of perfection. 



The amount of experience a man requires previous to taking a 

 responsibility on his own account is no way small; he must spend 

 years in the way of education, and that under good masters. But 

 nevertheless there are persons at present holding high situations who, 

 as it were, have crept into the profession without a clear under- 

 standing of all the various operations appertaining to their calling ; 

 they, on taking a charge on their own account, lack that amount 

 of confidence which characterises a true and practical gardener. They 

 must first learn to turn the sod. Many young men think that if they 

 possess a good knowledge of indoor work that is all that is needed ; 

 and if they were ordered to edge a path, draw a drill, or make a Celery- 



