210 Defence of Head-Gardeners. 



thatched buildings ; the failure of such crops is not for lack of 

 manure, but want of solidity in the soil. A heavy roller, or 

 the tread of a gardener's foot, may often insure a crop that 

 might be lost for want of such labour. Thus you see what I 

 think is the meaning of the word manure. It must be, not 

 only a decomposable substance, but a substance actually in a 

 state of decomposition ; such, for instance, as the heart of 

 oak, which, when rotten, is truly a manure ; but so long as it 

 remains perfectly sound, is no more a manure that it was when 

 a growing tree. But, if I am in an error, I shall just tell you 

 what I think is the best of all possible manures, and that is, 

 hone-dust ; only I use it in the allegorical and metaphorical 

 sense of the word, as we say " good cultivation is half manure," 

 or good cooking is half victuals ; or as we would recommend 

 oil of thyme (time) for wounds or disorders, or strap oil to a 

 mischievous boy, &c. But, according to the literal sense of 

 the word, I make use of all the bones I can by any means 

 (robbing churchyards excepted) collect, for the use of my vine 

 and other fruit borders, also for asparagus and similar beds ; 

 for such purposes they answer my most sanguine expecta- 

 tions. There is much difference in the quality of bones. 



I frequently smile at hearing of such and such a quantity 

 of bushels, or even lbs., of such and such manures being pro- 

 per for an acre, &c. ; just as if one man could not eat or drink 

 three times more than another, without being surfeited or 

 intoxicated. Dear Sir, &c. 



Agronome. 



Art. VI. Defence of Head-Gardeners against the Complaints 

 of a Journeyman. (Vol. I. p. 410.) By J. D. P. 



Sir, 



Seeing, in a former Number of your Magazine, a complaint, 

 that master-gardeners neglect their duty to those under them, 

 in withholding instruction, &c., I beg leave to set your readers 

 right on this affair. I have been in many situations, and in 

 the different characters of apprentice, journeyman, and master, 

 and in establishments both great and small ; but in no place, 

 nor under any master, however severe or strict, did I ever see 

 the obedient, teachable, and attentive workman deprived 

 of the means of learning his business, through the disregard 

 or unwillingness of the master to put him forward. 



True it is, I have often seen young men of very good na- 

 tural parts leave a place, but very little more improved than 



