No. 25. 



MECHANICS 

 MAGAZINE, 



Rockville Garden 

 Library. 



1826. 



for a Garden Library. 119 



the number of the volume also ; thus, if Me- 

 chanics' Magazine, Vol. vi. were No. 24., Vol. vii. 

 would be No. 25. thus : 



In this way every volume or pamphlet in the 

 library would have its number, which would be 

 entered in the library catalogue, and in all trans- 

 actions of lending, borrowing, &c. the number 

 only would require to be recorded. On books 

 sent in presents, may be pasted a written or 

 printed label, to the same effect. To some these 

 suggestions maybe considered needlessly minute; 

 but order and method are of advantage in every 

 thing, even in the least things. 



The next observation which we have to make on this subject is, that a 

 number of the books in the foregoing list, or others equivalent to them, 

 might be supplied from the thrown-aside school books of the family, which 

 would materially lessen the expense of the elementary library. Grammars 

 and dictionaries of every kind might be obtained in this way, and perhaps 

 most other school-books. Indeed there are few gentlemen's libraries from 

 which a number of books might not be spared both for the elementary and 

 professional department of the garden. 



We again call upon every reader for assistance in maturing our plan, and 

 getting it carried into execution. Whoever disapproves of it, in the whole 

 or in part, we entreat him to send us his reasons ; whoever has a better plan 

 to propose, or any improvement on our plan to suggest, let him send it ; 

 we shall give place to both sides, and leave our readers to decide against 

 us, if we shall be found in the wrong. But if any master or master gar- 

 dener sees our plan in the light we do, let him set about executing it at 

 once — and with effect. 



To aid personally in this matter as far as lies in our power, we shall, as 

 a stimulus, insert in every future number for some time to come the names 

 of such masters, whether gentlemen, or commercial, or serving gardeners, 

 as have established garden libraries, in the order in which we receive them ; 

 and for this purpose, and as we consider such a list will be highly useful in 

 the way of example, we request to be informed whenever any library is 

 established, and whether on a small or large scale. We shall also, to the 

 first library that we hear of being established, present an 18 in. terrestrial 

 globe, and a friend to gardeners will add a copy of Nicholson's British Ency- 

 clopaedia, 6 vols. 8vo. We shall farther receive contributions of books, 

 and beg books from our friends, to be sent to different libraries which may 

 be formed ; sending them either according to our judgment, or as may be 

 directed by the donors. One advantage of giving a list of libraries formed, 

 will be, that contributors may send donations to them at once, without 

 passing them through our hands; another is, that all who have children to 

 put out as apprentices to gardeners, will know the best places to send them 

 to ; and we would recommend to all parents and guardians, to be most par- 

 ticular in future in sending their sons and wards only to such gardens as 

 have proper libraries, both preliminary and professional. 



We conclude by observing, that the elementary books in the list may in 

 various cases be substituted by others, and that therefore all friends to the 

 plan, who have any school-books to spare, or any books for general reading 

 of any sort, odd volumes, odd magazines, &c. &c. are requested to send 

 them. Perhaps something may be gained by the purchase of second-hand 

 books, and we are happy in being able to refer to a general agent, (see his 

 advertisement in Part VI.) who, we can assert from personal knowledge, 

 will execute this or any kind of orders he may be intrusted with, faithfully 

 and correctly. Finally, let every gardener make a beginning, and not despair., 



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