Nov. 1907. | THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 379 
forty varieties of chrysanthemum in cultivation, all of which 
are renewed by cuttings every year. He vrows more 
vegetables of all kinds than he can make use of. Ina small 
greenhouse 12 feet by 7 feet he raised this summer more 
than 1 cwt. of tomatoes. In another house belonging to a 
retired working blacksmith I saw some large beautifully- 
grown chrysanthemums in pots, ready for removal to the 
Chrysanthemum Show in the Waverley Market. He is a 
constant prize-taker. Among other owners of gardens I 
found a retired seaman, a policeman, several postmen, a care- 
taker, a saddler, a designer, a clothier, a printer, a compositor 
who has acquired a scientific knowledge of the plants he 
cultivates, and is a centre of useful information for his 
neighbours. In one garden, occupied by a collector of taxes, 
I found a large vinery in which grapes and peaches are 
grown. 
On an adjacent piece of ground there is another series of 
about twenty similar gardens which were originated about 
thirty years ago by the late William Young, who was for forty 
years secretary to the Scottish Horticultural Association. Mr. 
Young was a shoemaker to trade, but was passionately fond 
of horticulture, and proved that the maxim “ Ne sutor ultra 
crepidam ” is not of universal application. He rented from 
Messrs. T. Methven & Son a piece of ground behind East 
London Street, at the east end of Bellevue Park, and laid out 
a portion of it as small] gardens for working men at a rental 
of £1 each perannum. The area covers about one and a halt 
acres. It is practically a duplicate of the Patriotic Gardens, 
but not quite so carefully laid out, and the gardens are 
unhedged. I am informed that there is a keen demand for 
these garden plots, and more applicants than can be supplied. 
I cannot detail the many advantages and benefits I was told 
they secured to the fortunate occupants, whose keen enjoy- 
ment of practical gardening was revealed in their smiling 
faces as I was shown round and introduced to their pet 
cultures. 
It was with genuine regret I learned that the possible 
purchase of Bellevue Park by the town may result in the 
disappearance of the East London Street Gardens—surely a 
very doubtful city improvement. After the death of Mr. 
Young the gardens were taken over by the Heriot Trust, 
