122 On the Physiology of the Vine. 



nothing, not even the knowledge of a common laborer, without it. 

 There are many things which it is not desirable to wish for, and 

 which are only desired by men of extraordinary minds ; but let no 

 man fancy that any thing is impossible for him. I speak from expe- 

 rience ; 1 commenced a seed-store with fifteen dollars ; finding it 

 thrive, 1 resolved it siiould be the first. And now I think it is, for 

 while in Britain, last winter, I saw nothing to equal it. I say again, 

 let no man think that any thing is impossible, for this is the bane of 

 all improvement. Let no young gardener, therefore, who reads this, 

 even if he can but barely read, imagine that he may not become 

 eminent in any of the pursuits of life, or departments of knowledge ; 

 much less in that of his own profession. Let him never lose sight 

 of this principle — that to desire and apply is to obtain ; and that 

 the attainment will be in proportion to the application. 



It may be, my dear sirs, that I am partial to my own countrymen : 

 but I do think that the Scotch are the most intelligent and persevering 

 gardeners in the world. This proceeds from their thirst after know- 

 ledge ; they are anxious to be proficients in their calling ; — hence 

 when their work is done, instead of going to the pot-house, as is too 

 often the practice with many gardeners, you will find them with the 

 midnight lamp, poring over Curtis's Botany, or Loudon's Gardener's 

 Magazine. Their motto is — second to none. Let every gardener's 

 apprentice go and do likewise ; it is only when young that this habit 

 can be formed. How great is the satisfaction of the gardener, and how 

 great is the pleasure,' of his employer, when he walks for amusement 

 in his garden, to find that his man can talk like a proficient in his 

 science, and converse like a gentleman on general topics. I knew 

 a gardener in Scotland, whose fortune was laid, in consequence of an 

 hour's conversation with his noble employer. 



Yours, Grant Thorburn. 



Hallett's Cove, Long Island, February ilth, 1835. 

 (To be Continued.) 



Art. II. 0?i the Physiologrj of the Vine ; with Hints on a. neiv 3Icth' 

 od of forming a Vine Border. By Francis Hay, Esq. 



Gentlemen, 



Having tasted the pleasure to be derived from horticultural pur- 

 suits, and realized its advantages, I am desirous of promoting a more 

 lively interest in your useful Magazine ; socializing in its influence, 

 and instructive in its tendency, correcting our former or present er- 

 rors, and opening a broad field for usefulness, improvement and 

 pleasure. 



