4S4 Improvement of Young Gardener's. 



Magazine. He under whom I am at present is one of the 

 most amiable, intelligent, and yet strictest of masters ; and 

 those who are under him are not only assisted, but urged 

 onward, by every argument, in the way of knowledge. Such 

 conduct is worthy of his character and profession ; and need 

 I say what is the result of it ? I am persuaded there is not a 

 man under him who would not do any thing in his power to 

 serve him : and however little tyrants may think of the 

 value of others, I am persuaded that there are many things 

 which depend entirely upon journeymen, which, if left undone, 

 would expose their masters to censure. 



Thus, Sir, I have attempted to show that every young man 

 has means in his own power for improvement, and that he 

 may easily be assisted in this by his employer and head gar- 

 dener : but is it not a fact, and a mournful one too, that it is 

 not those who are the most deserving who are preferred? 

 *' Many a lovely flower is allowed to bloom, to fade, and to 

 die, unnoticed and unknown." So alike it is with not a few of 

 our most talented young men : they are doomed to see others 

 promoted over them far inferior to themselves both in talents 

 and attainments. Such is now the case : but I would fondly 

 hope it will not long continue so; and that the glimmering 

 light which is just discovering itself in the eastern horizon, is 

 but the foregoer of a bright sun, which shall shine upon those 

 who are most deserving of its genial rays. I would fondly 

 hope that better days are drawing nigh, when gentlemen will 

 see the propriety of providing for the comfort of those who 

 labour for their pleasure and amusement; when head gar- 

 deners will contribute, by every means in their power, to the 

 improvement of the young; when libraries shall be esta- 

 blished throughout Britain ; and when gardeners will shine, as 

 they were wont to do, and as many of them still continue to 

 shine, ornaments to their profession, and lights to a sur- 

 rounding world. If you consider these few remarks worthy 

 of a place in your Gardener's Magazine, they are at your 

 service : and if they be the humble instruments of bettering 

 the condition of gardeners in the least degree, or of inducing 

 one master to lend a single book to a brother in youth and 

 in trade, I shall not have written in vain. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



A Young Gardener. 

 Mid-Lothian, May 25. 1833. 



