158 A BOOK ABOUT THE GARDEN. 



to the hyssop. He should know not only from what 

 countries his trees, shrubs, flowers, fruits, and vege- 

 tables all things under his care, whether pleasant to 

 the eye or good for food are brought, but the climate, 

 soil, and situation in which they naturally thrive. He 

 must have both a refined taste and a persevering 

 industry, both mental and manual skill. He should 

 be as strong in health as the hardy Norseman, for 

 that is a perilous life which takes men in the winter- 

 tide from the 75 of the stove to the 20 of the outer 

 air. And with all these qualifications he must submit 

 sometimes to be regarded as a mere hewer of wood 

 (of tallies and pea-sticks) and drawer of water, for his 

 plants. He must be conscious that he is occasionally 

 considered by his fellow-creatures (alas ! it may be by 

 those whom he serves) only as a useful attendant on 

 the cook. He must be prepared, again, to hold him- 

 self responsible for all the inclemencies of the weather, 

 and the injuries done thereby. Like the great patri- 

 arch, he must bear the loss, whether drought or frost 

 consume. He must listen at times to strong hints 

 and suspicions that he has laid, incubated, and 

 hatched all the red spiders, mealy bugs, thrip, scale, 

 beetles, aphis, slugs, snails, grubs, and caterpillars, 

 which gnaw the gardener's heart." 



Our single-wicket match ended in " a draw." We 

 came to no agreement on the main question. On one 

 point, nevertheless, we were quite unanimous namely, 

 that a large number of individuals set up to be hunts- 

 men and gardeners because they possess one or two 

 of the many qualifications required. "I know a 

 fellow " said Will, " who considers himself quite Al as 



