102 How io teach a Laborer 



the instruction of the mass of the people, the working classes 

 in towns will be enabled to get greatly in advance of those 

 in the country ; and I am sure, of all classes, the country 

 population most require the expansion of their minds, and in 

 the end, by this expansion, will most conduce to the real 

 wealth and stability of their country. 



But, you will ask, in what manner can the Gardener's 

 Magazine be rendered conducive to this object, which all 

 must allow to be one of the highest interest and importance. 

 I will briefly sketch out a plan, which, if followed, will 

 enable your Magazine to become, at least, in some degree 

 and manner conducive to this object. But, remember, having 

 sketched out such a plan, I leave it entirely to you and your 

 readers properly and fully to execute it. 



It is extremely difficult to lead on men, who have not been 

 accustomed to the exercise of their thoughts, and to derive 

 gratification from that exercise, to any mental pursuit : you 

 must at first make use of the gross motives of advantage. 

 Thus, it would be difficult to draw off 7 a peasant from the 

 ale-house to the cultivation of his garden, by merely expatiat- 

 ing on the interest and pleasure derived from such cultivation ; 

 you must first get him into his garden, by proving to him, 

 that by its proper cultivation he may benefit his health,, save 

 his money, and cheaply contribute to some of his animal 

 gratifications. Having thus drawn him into it, and excited 

 his interest regarding what grows there, and chiefly because 

 by means of his garden his meals may be rendered less costly 

 to his purse, and more agreeable to his palate, you may 

 gradually unfold to him higher and more intellectual motives 

 for cultivating it, and the prospect of new sources of enjoy- 

 ment to be derived from its cultivation. 



These remarks contain the principle on which my plan 

 proceeds. I shall now go into its detail : 



I should wish to see in your Magazine a series of papers 

 on the following subjects : 



1. Papers that would teach the peasant, in a very plain, 

 explicit, and full manner, how he might derive from his 

 garden, at the least expence of time, labour, and money, the 

 largest contributions to his own meals and those of his family. 

 You must suppose he has just entered on his garden ; and 

 that it requires to have every thing done for it : its soil im- 

 proved, draining, inclosing, &c. After instructions on these 

 topics, give him instructions respecting the kinds of vegetables 

 and fruits, which it will be most for his benefit (always taking 

 into consideration the saving of time and money), to cultivate. 



We will suppose that by the assistance of your instruc- 

 tions he has succeeded in making a good garden, and that he 



