212 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



character with the essence, and adorns it with the grandeur of virtue. The 

 snowdrop and the violet heave no sigh of regret that they are bom of the 

 tempest and the storm ; but the one cheerily waves its tiny silver bells, and 

 the other joyously diffuses its fragrance, however bleak and sombre the 

 heavens and the earth may be. Sublime lesson this to every possessor of a 

 garden. Our very anxiety about our plants often generates a discontented 

 grumbling spirit. The flowers themselves make the best possible use of every 

 favovu-able circumstance, and patiently bide their time. Precisely on this 

 principle and in this spirit should we endeavour to minister to their wants. 

 We can neither supersede nor unduly assist nature with impunity. Those 

 most intimately acquainted with the marvellous perfection of the laws that 

 govern vegetable life and growth, feel most acutely how little there is left for 

 man to do in the matter. The chief merit of the best horticulturists is that their 

 practice is in harmony with this great principle, and that they do this little 

 well. But ignorant, self-inflated officiousuess is as disastrous in the vegetable 

 kingdom as it is in the domain of social, moral, or religious life. Plants are 

 not so much things to he done for as many imagine. Surround them with 

 accompaniments in hai*mony with their natural constitutions, and they will 

 invariably do best for themselves. Hardy plants require proper food, space, 

 shelter, and training ; tender plants, in addition to all these, demand a 

 congenial, suitable climate. Within such spheres man may work ; beyond 

 them he has no power. Of course this remark is only applicable to plants in 

 actual existence, and has no reference to the influence of man in originating 

 new species and varieties ; but even in the matters here indicated man must 

 act with caution and judgment, and never assume the right of a despotic 

 sovereign. Plants will obey no mandates but those in harmony with the 

 principles of their constitution ; they will suffer martyrdom rather than 

 submit to mere arbiti'ary authority : hence the importance of a personal 

 knowledge of their nature and wants in order to their proper management. 

 The fact that there is no general code of constitutional law applicable to the 

 whole vegetable kingdom, renders the acquisition of the necessary knowledge 

 a work of great difficulty. Almost every distinct family of plants has its 

 special and individual peculiarities of constitution, demanding for it special 

 treatment. Notwithstanding all the gardening-books that have been written, 

 there is not yet any royal road to a knowledge of vegetable life. 



552. The laws that govern it are written on the structure and habits of the 

 plants themselves, and can only be deciphered by constant close observation. 

 Hence, all who would successfully rule over plants must first become their 

 servants. We can only conquer Nature by obeying her. Before understanding 

 her hidden mysteries ourselves, or teaching them to others, we must first sit 

 at her feet and learn of her. This instruction is certain, if we come with a 

 humble spirit ; for it is emphatically true that these things are hidden from 

 the wise and revealed to babes of a teachable disposition. Such works as this 

 are not designed to supersede, but encourage such studies ; for, while the 

 practical instructions here given will be found to be in harmony with the 



