OF MANY THINGS 201 



adopt an athletic metaphor. My note-books regard 

 me with reproach ; many growing things wave their 

 boughs to catch my eye ; the annuals are especially 

 disappointed that no place has been found for them. 

 I must write the Book of the Annual for Mr. John 

 Lane, if a better man has not already tackled that 

 great subject. For the present, to my sincere regret, 

 this large class of flowers cannot be discussed, though 

 I have rich memoranda concerning the more un- 

 common beauties amongst them. 



Again, I was going to tell you things that I have 

 gleaned concerning the world cultivation of Mint ; 

 of mole crickets and their manners ; of pearls in 

 cocoa-nuts ; of M. Henri Theulier's experiments on the 

 germination of seeds by electricity ; and of much else 

 to be gleaned from the amazing journals of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society. You must, however, imme- 

 diately become a Fellow, if you regard the garden 

 as a serious part of life ; and I shall be proud to pro- 

 pose you. There is nothing like one of the Society's 

 lordly tomes for correcting our horticultural per- 

 spective, and teaching us how much there is to know, 

 and how ridiculously little we of the rank and file have 

 yet acquired. Then join at once. If not already a 

 Fellow of this king among Societies, take my hand 

 and suffer me to lead you to the Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., 

 the famous Secretary. You may approach this grand 

 old gardener without fear. He will beam upon you, 

 welcome you as a brother or sister, and anon crown 

 you with the distinction of fellowship. Remember 

 also what you might achieve hereafter. As the field- 



