THE PRIVATE GARDENER. 107 



nothing like a uniform scale of wages. I had, for instance, paid 

 my foreman about twelve hundred dollars a year, but I must say 

 that one to whom I paid two thoiisand dollars per annum was the 

 most profitable one to me. I think, on the whole, the outlook for 

 first-class gardeners is good. Never in the history of nations has 

 wealth increased so fast as in the United States during the ]:>ast 

 quarter of a century, and a majority of the wealthy men will, in the 

 future, I venture to say, find their highest pleasiu'e in developing 

 their gardens and country estates. 



On the fine old estates in England, France, and Germany no 

 one is more respected, nor in closer, kindlier touch with the owner 

 than the head gardener. As fast as men fit themselves in character, 

 deportment, and ability, this is coming to pass here; but, admitting 

 that salaries might in some cases be justly increased, we must not 

 forget that gardening has many advantages for those who are fond 

 of it; it is the most healthful of all occupations; it is one of the fine 

 arts. Ruskin has defined fine art as any in which the head, hand, 

 and heart work together. I cannot see why the gardener cannot 

 take as much pleasure as the owner. "He who admires is the real 

 possessor." "There are no ancient gentlemen, but gardeners." 



Give fools their gold and knaves their power, 



Let fortune's bubble rise and fall. 

 Who sows a field, or trains a flower, 



Or plants a tree, is more than all." 



Discussion. 



In reply to a question concerning the growing of Gardenias the 

 Lecturer stated that there was no difficulty in growing them in the 

 -summer time, but the problem of success with them in the winter 

 was a very different one. He grew them in his houses all the year 

 round, especially in the winter. He had heard gardeners say 

 that they could not get them to flower in cold weather, but, in his 

 opinion, their failure was due to the lowering of the temperature, 

 causing the buds to blast. A temperature of 65° should be regu- 

 larly maintained. 



William N. Craig praised the Lecturer for his eminently jiractical 



