'- Scientific Instruction of Gardeners. 325 



In endeavouring to counteract ideas so fallacious, I am 

 obliged to observe that, in the pursuit of rural architecture 

 and landscape-gardening, though not professionally, yet it has 

 necessarily associated me with that class whose cause I advo- 

 cate, sufficiently to warrant my asserting that none are likely to 

 reap greater advantages from science than they are ; that there 

 is no class whose talents are rendered more serviceable to our 

 wants and pleasures; and none the attention to whose in- 

 terests is likely to lead to such beneficial results in one of 

 the primary objects of mechanics' institutions; inasmuch as 

 the objects professed to be in view are, not only to raise a class 

 of scientific mechanics, whose superior skill shall tend to up- 

 hold the superiority of our manufactures, but to render them, 

 not only more useful, but better, members of society, by 

 improving their moral condition. 



The means of producing the first object is by instructing 

 them in the principles of the arts they practise, and chemical 

 philosophy ; and the second is to be effected by natural and 

 moral philosophy. If such are the views of the promoters of 

 mechanics' institutions, and they rely on the two latter sources 

 to make them more worthy members of society, then I con- 

 tend they paralyse the intention, if they do not aflbrd every 

 possible encouragement that can lead to the study of nature. 

 And where can she be studied by every class of society so 

 profitably as in the vegetable kingdom ? Where else has she 

 spread such treasures to the contemplative mind, or afforded a 

 more plentiful harvest for the talent and industry of mankind ? 

 It is there science affords the greatest insight into the economy 

 of nature, and enables us to discover the beautiful order and 

 simplicity with which all her works are contrived and regu- 

 lated ; it is there man becomes sensible of the generous hand 

 of Providence in the provision made, not only for his bodily 

 wants, but his mental desires. 



As the study of nature is calculated to produce results so 

 conducive to morals and happiness, and as natural and che- 

 mical philosophy are so intimately connected, it follows that 

 the interests of the gardener and mechanic in such institutions 

 are reciprocal; that such arrangements as are necessary to 

 extend their benefits to the former, may be attended with the 

 highest moral advantages to the latter. 



I therefore trust that a due consideration of this subject 

 will have the effect of drawing the attention of the directors 

 of such institutions to the gardeners' interests, and induce 

 them to afford to that class every facility in the attainment of 

 knowledge suited to their profession ; particularly by adding 



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