Janniry 23, 1874. ] JOURNAL OS" HORtlCtJIi'fTjRE ANt) COTtAGE GARDENER. 



TO OUR READERS. 



Ox a (lay early in the present century a little lad, sou of a poor mechanic, was sitting on a bank in the 



small plot called a garden in an obscure street of London. He had " a fine rosy-cheeked Apple [we 



now use his own words] , and as I cut it I observed the pips inside, and wondered what they were for. 



I asked, and was told that from them the Apple trees came. The deshe to know was raised. I obtained 



a place in an orchard, and felt delight in watching the developments of nature. Then I aspired to learn 



about plants less familiar." Ho became part of the household of a nurseryman of strong religious 



convictions, and here was led to devote himself to missionary labours. He passed to the islands of the 



Pacific. He erected a residence. 



"A garden was cleared and enclosed. A gi'oup of stately Chestnut trees that grew on the banks of the stream 

 were left, as well as several Bread-fruit trees, to shade and adorn the liomestead. Place was foimd for the newly- 

 introduced plants and flowers, in addition to the most useful or Ijeautiful indigenous productions of the soil. Orange 

 trees were planted in fi'ont of the house, and a Citron hedge enclosed the whole. The writer, though scarcely five 

 years old when removed from this home of his childhood, retains in his memory an indehble picture of the charm- 

 ing scene — the mountains, the beach, and the characteristic vegetation of the region — the plumed and towering 

 Cocoa-nut, the spreading, loaded Bread-fruit, and the gigantic-leaved Banana ; the bay, with its liquid crystal, the 

 manificent ocean beyond, and the mountains of Eaiatou, hke shadowy cloudland on the horizon." 



The example was followed by the natives. " Plastered houses, neat gardening, and cultivated fields " 



accompanied conversion to the Christian faith. Ill health in the missionary's family compelled him to 



return to England, and he became one of her pastors. Around the residence 



" The grounds were laid out in excellent taste, all formality being avoided ; and the walks and planting so disposed 

 as to increase apparently the space, and to retain some of the wild grace of nature with the order of a well-appointed 

 garden. But the grand charm— the glory— of the scene was its Koses. They were evidently at home in the soil 

 and locahty, and as e\-idently the master spirit of the place loved them and knew how to grow them. The choicest 

 varieties might be introduced without fear of failure. The endless diversity, the profusion, the beauty, and the 

 deUcious perfume which this queen of flowers diffused about the homestead — meeting the eye at every turn, chmb- 

 ing on walls or trellised arches, spreading a blaze of blossom over beds disposed among the turf, presenting here 

 and there magnificent heads of exquisite bloom, or grouped or single standards, or nesthng in unexpected nooks 

 and corners — altogether gave to the comparatively naiTOW enclosure an attractive lovehness peculiarly home-like 

 in its character. A small greenhouse, adjoining one end of the dweUing, was originaUy all the glass about tho 

 garden ; but this was soon found insufficient, and it became necessary to build a house for their accommodation 

 as well as for the exotic Ferns and other tropical plants that required a high temperature. The Orchids formed 

 a marveUous assemblage of floral beauty. The missionary's name became famihar both among amateurs and 

 professional horticultmists in connection with the new plants mtroduced by him from liis new mission field, 

 Madagascar, particularly that marvel among Orchids, the Angrsecum sesquipedale, and the curious and dehcate 

 Lace-plant, Ouvirandra fenestrahs. He was a frequent exhibitor at the flower shows of the Crystal Palace and 

 Kegent's Park, and never faded to carry off prizes. In thus iudidging his taste for flowers he did not embarrass ' 

 himself by an expensive luxury; but contrived by the sale of plants to make the conseiwatory pay at least its own 

 expenses; so that there was never on this score an accusing conscience to upbraid him with exti'avagance." 



Poultry, pets of various kinds, bees, were cherished by him and his wife. They each were dis- 

 tinguished literary characters, and at an age of nearly fourscore he ceased from his labours, and within 

 a week she was resting by his side. 



That missionary was the Pievereud 'William Ellis ; and wc make this record because he is an example 

 of many thousands, clerical and lay, who similar in acquirements and associated tastes from whom we 

 gather information. They, like the missionary, are beneficial examples ; they enrich our pages by their 

 contributions ; they lead improvements to their neighbours ; and for them as well as for young 

 professionals — aye, and old too — our staff strive to bo useful. Their efforts are successful, as every day's 

 post and fi-om many lands tell us ; and one quotation from a Victoria letter represents the whole — " My 

 wife has said more than once, that little Journal has taught us much, but it also brightens remembrances 

 of home." Such testimony animates and invigorates your old friends 



THE EDITOES. 



