266 Masters and their Apprentices and Journeymen. 



the London seedsmen in having their seeds grown in different 

 parts of the country, distant from each other. We should, 

 however, be glad first to hear what can be said on this sub- 

 ject by gardeners of more experience than ourselves. — Cond. 



Art. III. On the Treatment ivhich Apprentices and Journey- 

 men Gardeners receive from Master Gardeners. By a 

 Nobleman's Gardener. 



Sir, 



As I consider the letter of G. R. G. (Gard. Mag. vol. i. 

 p. 410.) would, if suffered to go unnoticed, be a severe 

 reflection upon head-gardeners in general, I trouble you 

 with a few observations as to the manner I treat the young 

 men I employ. 



When I first came to my present situation, which is a little 

 more than three years ago, I got permission to have a room 

 fitted up for two young men, who were to attend the fires, &c. 

 to sleep in. In a short time, some changes took place among 

 the men which I found here; and as the work of the place 

 soon very much increased, particularly in the department of 

 green-house plants and other plants in pots, I suggested to my 

 employer the propriety of having young lads, who were light, 

 and could do the work of watering as well or better than men. 

 My suggestion was attended to, and I have now three of 

 these at 8s. per week ; I have two who have 125. ; and to the 

 oldest hand, who I make my foreman, I give 13s., and this 

 is the only difference I make with him from the rest. In the 

 room I make them all stop till nine o'clock at night in study- 

 ing their books, and I lend them one of your Encyclopaedias, 

 and any other books I have got ; and when one of them is 

 disposed to purchase a book, they consult me as to what one 

 is best; they join together for candles, and, as I think it 

 cheapest and best for them, they all board together. As I 

 am anxious they should improve every minute of their own 

 time, I allow an old woman to prepare their meals, &c. 

 When they first come to me, I tell them that the more they 

 learn, and the faster they improve themselves, the more I 

 shall approve of them. As a sort of general rule, I desire 

 them to keep a journal of the work, &c. ; and seeing them 

 almost every night, I now and then examine their journals, 

 and put questions to them as to the meaning of botanical 

 terms, or upon any subject they have been reading. I some- 



