LIFE IN TIIK COUSTKV. 



luiilertakcn for the last ten years unless bis advice and counsel had been first sou<?bt, 

 111' had come to this country only to see the vegetation of North America, and thereby 

 increase bis kno\vl«Hlyo ; but concluded on the whole to take charge of a ])lace, if he 

 could get one worthy of his attention. I really began to be alarmed at the great loss 

 the country must have suffered from bis departure, lie knew the name and nature of 

 e\ ory plant and shrub. Indeed, it was strange 



"That one small lioaJ coulJ carry all he knew." 



r>oing doubtful of my ability to command so much gouius and knowledge to decorate 

 my humble home, I decided to give Mr. KosEnKuuY an answer in one week, when, if 

 his talents had not secured him a more advantageous position, I might endeavor to 

 make a bargain with liim. 



The next applicant was Tiios. IIawtiiohn. lie too was from across the water; and 

 I learned, on infomiing liim of the previous apjilication of Mi'. KosEUEiaa', that they 

 had both worked at the same place. Uawtiiorn smiled when I told him of the abilities 

 of RosEBERRT, and informed me that he was only employed by tbe gardener to keep 

 the grass and weeds from the gravel walks, and to assist in mowing and sweeping the 

 lawn, wliich he did so poorly that he was dismissed. Still, this statement may have 

 been caused by professional jealousy. Mr. Hawthorn urged his claims quite zeal- 

 ously, and stated that in making gravel walks he had no superior. Before leaving 

 home, his reputation had become almost national. He was overnm with orders for 

 walks for gentlemen's grounds, and had to escape to gain rest, or he would have fallen 

 a victim to his abilities in this line. No one in this country understood the principle. 

 I afterwards learned that Mr. IIawthorn's abilities in making road were developed in 

 breaking stone by the side of the road, to repair the turnpike that passed through his 

 native village. 



The third applicant was also a man of remarkable genius. He had been used to 

 first-class establishments, and proposed that I should make at once green-houses, 

 forcing-houses^ grape-houses, arbore, grottoes, rustic houses, bridges, serpentine walks, 

 lawns, &c. I began to grow enthusiastic at his glowing descriptions of the beauties in 

 reser\'e for me, if I would but adopt his j^lans and employ him in their execution. He 

 seemed to understand his business, and to be really in love with it. But I fear be was 

 one of those who astonish their employers as much by their extravagant expenditures as 

 by the results of their skill. As I yet felt sore over the cost of my house, I thought it 

 not best for the present to run the risk of any very great expense. 



Soon came along another gardener, who made no very great pretensions. If he 

 had not much knowledge, he certainly liad some modesty. He thought he understood 

 his business, and was willing to do his best to carry out my wishes, and hoped if he 

 engaged with me he should prove himself worthy of my confidence. He aj)peared 

 intelligent ; I knew him to be modest ; he did not look like a vain-boasting pretender ; 

 and I engaged him. I have had no reason to regret my choice. 



I was now prepared to commence operations in earnest. But, as I am talking of the 

 help I received in commencing my work, I must not forget the very valuable assistance 

 kind and intelligent neighbor, a young farmer, residing only a mile from my place, 

 noticed his farm, as beino- remarkable for its neatness. Everything bore evidence 



