246 Garden Libraries. 



make the amende to Mr. Thompson ; which, however, he will think the 

 more honourable as it is made without his foreknowledge or concurrence. 



No. III. — Bannerman' 's Walton Nursery Library. Established at the Wal- 

 ton Nursery, near Liverpool, January 23. 1827. 



" Walton Nursery, near Liverpool, Jan. 23. 1827. 



*' Sir, — It may perhaps afford you some pleasure to learn that your proposals for the formation 

 of garden libraries have met the unanimous and warm approbation of all at this nursery, and also 

 that the scheme is already carried into effect. Your last number (the fifth) of the Gardener's 

 Magazine, was read by Mr. Bannerman on the 3d inst., and the next morning he communicated 

 to the men, through the medium of his foreman, Mr. William Dall, his intention of presenting 

 a quantity of books, and a sum of money, as a beginning for a library ; and also that he would 

 continue tobe a regular contributor to it. This communication was received by every individual 

 on the premises with sincere pleasure, all of us being sensible of the benefit that would result from 

 such an institution. The books which Mr. Bannerman has contributed, and of which I send you 

 a list, have been removed to a room adjoining the office, which he has appropriated for the use 

 of the library ; and we began to circulate them on the 8th inst. 



" You have solicited the opinions of your readers on the subject of Garden Libraries. " I 

 therefore respectfully take the liberty of offering the sentiments of this infant society. We agree 

 with you in thinking that all who keep a head gardener, and employ men under him, ought in 

 justice to themselves, as well as to their gardeners, to establish a library for their use ; and in order 

 that it may continue to be supported, we think the plan we have adopted might, in some degree, 

 be suitable to most of them j viz. that after the master has provided books, &c. to form a beginning, 

 he should continue to contribute a sum of money for its support ; but in order that those for 

 whose use it is designed may be as much as possible interested in its prosperity, we conceive that 

 they also ought to contribute something regularly while they continue to use it. This would 

 give them a claim to it, and be the means of their being more assiduous than perhaps many of 

 them otherwise would be. We have all put down a small sum as a first subscription, and agreed 

 to pay a small sum monthly for the support of the library, and as there are a considerable 

 number of men regularly employed here, we expect, by moderate contributions, to be in time 

 possessed of a good collection of books. 



" I must here remark an observation that was made [by several gardeners, who are in the 

 nursery waiting for situations, that if they were fortunate enough to be soon called away, it would 

 be their own faults if they were in any degree losers by the establishment ; for if they were at all 

 industrious, they would in a short time receive information equivalent to their contribution, and 

 if the plan be pretty generally adopted, they might perhaps be fortunate enough to benefit by the 

 contributions of their predecessors in the same way that those would who might chance to 

 succeed them here. 



" In the vicinity of Liverpool there are, as at other large towns, a number of places where 

 there is only one gardener kept, and where it cannot be expected that there will be sufficient 

 books provided for his use ; we have therefore agreed .to admit gardeners so situated in our 

 neighbourhood, and several have already embraced the opportunity of becoming members of our 

 little establishment on the same terms with the men employed in the nursery. 



" Our rules are not yet framed out, and we shall feel obliged by any information on the 

 subject, and if at any time you think that we can be of any service in communicating any thing 

 to you, it is requested you will at all times freely command us, and you may rely on our best 

 endeavours to comply with your wishes. I remain, Sir, (for the members of the Walton Nursery 

 Library,) your obedient servant, George^Wilkins," 



The list referred to contains above 200 volumes, professional, miscel- 

 laneous, and elementary j to which Messrs. Longman, Rees, and Co. have 

 added nine volumes on gardening and botany, and Horfs- Domestic Edu- 

 cation for Self Instruction, in 22 volumes, 12mo. The different suggestions 

 in Mr. Wilkins's letter merit the attention of all intending to establish 

 libraries ; and the intention of accommodating their neighbours deserves 

 the imitation of other nurseries; perhaps it might be advisable, in some 

 cases, to extend this accommodation to amateurs, at a charge similar to 

 that of circulating libraries, which, while it would promote a taste for 

 botany and gardening, would be the means of increasing the value of the 

 library. But we offer these suggestions with deference, because Mr. Dall, 

 who belonged to what was called the Leith Walk Linnean Society, a useful 

 institution, maintained by the journeymen gardeners about Edinburgh some 

 years ago, is better able to be useful in this way than we are. It is evidently 

 a good plan, adopted both at Clapton and Walton, to charge something, 

 however little, for the use of the books, and fines should be fixed on for 

 keeping a volume above a certain time, or for injuring it. But whatever 

 plan is commenced with can always be improved by experience, till it is found 

 to work satisfactorily. We are sure there is not a gardener who reads this 

 Magazine that will not admire the liberality, and feel grateful for the kind- 

 ness of Mr. Mackay and Mr. Bannerman, and we know they will give 

 evidence of it as they ought to do. We trust the example will be imitated 



