Disabilities of young Gardeners, 175 



too often from the intrigue and self-interested disposition of 

 the head gardener. It might naturally be expected that per- 

 sons who have passed the subordinate degrees before obtain- 

 ing command would, from their experience of the situation of 

 an inferior, be more lenient and indulgent; and would take 

 every opportunity of impressing those under them with the 

 true value of time, and the important uses to which it is to 

 be applied, so as to render them fit for discharging the duties 

 of the situation they desire eventually to fill, with credit to 

 themselves and gratification to their employers : yet it is a 

 fact, confirmed by experience, that the very reverse of this is 

 the case, and I am grieved I cannot make an exception of 

 the gardener; for, in too many instances, they treat their 

 young assistants in such a haughty and overbearing manner 

 as is sufficient to make the most anxious lose heart, and 

 enough to destroy any bright embryo genius that may come 

 under its blighting influence. 



Before I proceed to detail what 1 have seen and expe- 

 rienced, and to assist as much as in me lies to extirpate that 

 monster, oppression, from the precincts of the love-inspiring 

 garden, let me tell you that, in re-reading some late volumes 

 of your Magazine, I observe this subject has not been altogether 

 overlooked by your correspondents; for in Vol. V, p. 18. I 

 see the money-extorting system of many gardeners, entirely 

 independent of ability or past experience, has been criticised 

 by R. S. E. " Neutral" also (p. 101.) has made some true 

 remarks upon their notorious arrogance and pride. I per- 

 fectly agree with the observations of both these correspondents, 

 and confirm them by attesting their truth. But there is 

 another disadvantage, if I am right in giving it so mild a term, 

 under which too many of us are placed, unnoticed as yet by 

 your correspondents ; I mean the practice of working young 

 gardeners after the i-egular hours for labour, without giving 

 them any extra-remunei'ation. This, I believe, prevails to a 

 much greater extent than many are aware of, and, however 

 low and mean it really is, the practice is nevertheless extend- 

 ing. In many places, particularly in Scotland, the young 

 men are obliged to work from sunrise to sunset, and in winter, 

 when the sun will not suffice to satisfy the insatiable disposition 

 of the gardener, artificial light is brought forward, and all 

 jobs that can be done by its assistance are studiously reserved 

 for this purpose. Gardeners might exculpate themselves 

 from this foul charge, if it were the doing of their employers, 

 or if their existence depended upon the exertions of the j'oung 

 men ; yet even in these circumstances it would be slavish and 

 unjust, widiout first giving them extra-money for extra-time, 



