378 THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. [Sess. EXxir. 
raillions in great centres of industry, and all lovers of Nature 
will wish it God-speed. 
WHAT ABOUT EDINBURGH 7 
But what about our ancient cities and towns which cannot 
be easily adapted to these changed conditions? I will avoid 
all controversial matter, but one of the admitted difficulties, 
for example, in the idea of small holdings is that so many 
town dwellers have lost all taste for country life and ways, and 
are blind to the beauties of Nature around them. Again, 
does it not seem mockery to interest a child in plants and 
flowers who is condemned to live in a house with no garden, 
and cut off from all opportunity of gratifying the awakened 
nature-knowledge faculty? I will make bold here to 
mention a scheme which has been in my mind for many 
years. We have in Edinburgh itself at this moment two 
examples of a plan not unlike what I venture to propose. 
About 1855 that very remarkable citizen, Mr. John Hope, 
W.S., conceived the idea of providing small garden plots for 
respectable working men. He set apart a piece of ground 
extending to about three acres at the back of Hope Crescent, 
and stretching from there along to M‘Donald Road. This he 
had laid out in small gardens about 80 or 100 feet square, 
and separated by hedges. For this work he employed an 
experienced landscape gardener, Mr. William Gordon, 15 
Elm Row, who was retained as superintendent. These he 
called “The Patriotic Gardens,’ and they are still in exist- 
ence. Each tenant pays a rent of from 14s. to £1, 10s. per 
annum, and holds the tenancy on a fourteen days’ notice 
tenure. One of the conditions is that no aleoholic or 
excisable liquors are to be brought within the subjects, nor 
is anyong under the influence thereof to be allowed to enter 
or remain within the premises. The occupant must cultivate 
the garden by spade or fork, and the produce is to be for the 
use of himself and family, and never for sale at a profit. I 
had the privilege of seeing the gardens two days ago in 
company with an occupant who is an ironmonger. Born 
and brought up in Edinburgh, he was totally ignorant of 
horticulture till he took this garden five years ago. Already 
he gives evidence of high cultural skill. He has more than 
