1870.] A CHAPTER ON AMATEURS. 79 



reliance on all that falls from the pen of a professional man. He gazes 

 with wonder and admiration when shown what the professional capa- 

 city has accomplished, and treasures up every word uttered by men 

 qualified to speak; and, if possessing moderate capacity, will soon 

 show how he appreciates the advice given. Our amateur has no 

 bounds to his horticultural ambition other than his pocket. He is, 

 however, generally wise enough not to have too many irons in the 

 fire at one time, so he devotes himself sometimes to one special 

 thing and sometimes to several, with varying success. The amateur 

 cultivator of the Pelargonium is largely represented. They soon get 

 posted up in the special knowledge requisite to grow a Pelargonium 

 well; and if cuttings cannot sometimes be begged, plants must be 

 and are bought, and frequently successfully grown. If there is a 

 flower-show held in his locality, he will be there in great force, and 

 will display in his love of plants how beneficent are the influences 

 that horticultural societies can exert, if rightly conducted. I can also 

 particularise the amateur grower of the Auricula and Polyanthus. He is 

 sure to be a very enthusiast in his pursuit, and will freely spend his 

 money to gain coveted varieties. Strangely enough, the cultivator of 

 these fine old flowers rarely troubles himself about any other plants, 

 unless it be a few Pansies or Tulips ; but his devotion to the flowers 

 of his choice leads him to do them well — so well, indeed, as often to 

 out-pace the professional grower. 



Working in a somewhat more extensive sphere is found the amateur 

 fruit-cultivator, for he either rejoices in a goodly-sized garden, or has 

 his bit of glass, under which he grows a few Vines, and possibly a Peach- 

 tree or two, and as many Plums or Pears, &c. His experiences are not 

 always pleasurable, for he finds that mildew will appear and thrip 

 will thrive, and he is driven to his wit's end to find a means of ridding 

 himself of them. He will call on you, and ask you to look in and see 

 his house, and not only tell him but show him what to do, for you 

 told him before, and he did it, but it was of no avail. Perhaps he did 

 it wrongly, so you must show him how to do it rightly, that he do not 

 fail in the future. If you walk into his parlour, you will see lying 

 prominent upon his table, and well-thumbed, Thomson on the Vine, 

 and Eivers's 'Orchard-House' and ' Miniature Fruit- Garden.' The con- 

 tents of these he has well digested, but he will tell you, with apparent 

 sincerity, that after all he requires practical knowledge to apply his 

 information. Fortunately, our fruit-amateur is not a despairing being. 

 He is not daunted by a failure or two. He comforts himself with the 

 assurance that experience, to be worth anything, must be bought, and 

 so he goes to work again with renewed energies, and is ultimately 

 successful. I dare not forget the amateur Rose-cultivator, but I touch 



