Village Garden Libraries. si 5 



steps towards the establishment of something of a similar nature in this 

 quarter. 



" Till I saw garden libraries recommended in your Encyclopedia of 

 Gardening and Gardener's Magazine, I never thought of the practicability 

 of such a plan. Although I have higher hopes of support to such useful 

 institutions than your ' Constant Female Reader,' still I know there are 

 many instances, particularly where only one or two lads are kept, where 

 sufficient attention to the subject could not be expected : but there are few 

 gardeners so situated who may not, in some way or other, devise means to 

 procure books sufficient to occupy the leisure hours of their men when the 

 work of the day is over ; and 1 may here take the liberty to detail the 

 method by which the lads that have been with me obtained easy access to 

 books for general reading, and also the means I now devise to afford reading 

 to them and others allied to our profession. 



" The populous village of Rait lies within a short distance of this place. 

 About seventeen years ago I suggested to the inhabitants the propriety of 

 establishing a village library. The idea appeared novel, but the thing was 

 gone into. Each member, by paying a small sum of entry money and small 

 quarterly payments, possesses a share, which he may dispose of, under cer- 

 tain restrictions, when he leaves the place. This right entitles him to vote 

 at all quarterly meetings. Small fines are imposed for too long detention 

 of books, and a small sum, as interest, is charged on all arrears after quar- 

 terly meetings, which insures prompt payment. It was not without some 

 trouble that the business was managed at the commencement; but the 

 machine once set a going, now moves on smoothly of its own accord ; and 

 the villagers, whose means of procuring books were as scanty as those of 

 the young gardener, and their taste for reading naturally less, have now 

 acquired a taste for general reading, and possess ample means, on easy 

 terms, for gratifying that taste. Thus far we have advanced ; and in order 

 to excite a taste for reading on gardening and rural subjects, 1 have pro- 

 posed to establish in the same village, 



" A Village Garden Society, offering premiums for the production of 

 certain vegetables, flowers, and fruits. I calculated on a tardy adoption of 

 the plan, but am glad to observe that the regulations had only to be read 

 to insure a ready acquiescence. Of our ultimate success I may hereafter 

 send you an account, and particularly of the books connected with rural 

 subjects that may be introduced to our library. Perhaps I should mention 

 that H. B. Stuart, Esq. of Annat, and his lady, on whose property the 

 greatest part of our members reside, and also William Dickson, Esq. of 

 Barn Hill of Kinnoul Nurseries, have most kindly come forward in support 

 of our infant institution. 



" I hope the above narrative will not appear egotistical. I claim no merit 

 in the part I have taken. I have merely recommended to others what I 

 know would add to their comfort ; and I now mention it to show that a 

 gardener, in whatever situation he is, may have much in his power in the 

 way of obtaining books, not only for his lads, but also for those of the lower 

 orders amongst or near whom he may be destined to live. Nor should he 

 be discouraged by untoward circumstances in the outset : ' a good action 

 always remunerates itself.' — I have ordered a dendrometer to be made, 

 which I propose sending for the use of the young men in the Clapton nur- 

 sery; and as a friend has sent me some queries as to the use of the instru- 

 ment, I shall accompany the present with extracts from my repry. I hope 

 to be able to do this in time for these extracts being sent for your July 

 number. Besides the instruments mentioned by Mr. Rentoul as necessary 

 for young gardeners, I should suppose a theodolite, or at least a plain table, 

 for taking angles in surveying, would be useful. I may hereafter send for 



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