536 Hints to Gardeners 



We agree entirely with the general sentiments expressed 

 by our correspondent, viz., that brilliant objects like flowers 

 should be displayed under the full influence of bright light, 

 received not only from above, but from the sides ; paintings, 

 on the contrary, are seen to the greatest advantage where the 

 light proceeds chiefly from above, as any one may observe by 

 looking at the pictures in a room where the windows are 

 down to the ground. As our correspondent is evidently a 

 man of cultivated taste, we should wish to hear further from 

 him on subjects of this kind. — Cond. 



Art. IV. Hints to Gardeners, incentive to their educating them- 

 selves i?i a Knowledge of English Grammar, and of other Subjects 

 of essentially useful Knowledge. By Mr. William Taylor. 



Sir, 



The following remarks are neither for the information, 

 edification, nor exhortation of any of the writers in this 

 Magazine; but of those of its readers only (and it is to be 

 hoped they are not very numerous) who use such phrases as, "I 

 seed them plants, and axt their names." Some twenty years 

 ago a class of gardeners, of different orders as to intellect, 

 set out in quest of their business, but with a very limited 

 stock of education, viz., a smattering of reading, writing, 

 and arithmetic. They perhaps used all the means in their 

 power to gain an empirical knowledge of the business, but 

 neglected to improve themselves in education. Hence we 

 not unfrequently hear the above and similar ludicrously in- 

 correct language used by naturally clever men in respectable 

 situations : yes, by men who have read more of the fashion- 

 able novels of the day, and the like fascinating books, than 

 they have of books on horticulture and the sciences con- 

 nected therewith. They will approve, or rather condemn, 

 sciences, creeds, and systems, " and all them sort of things," 

 gratis ; while, at the same time, you can easily discover, for 

 it cannot be hidden, that they have not so much as read an 

 English grammar. 



The mistaken notions that " English arammar is not worth 

 a dog's dance without Latin," that it cannot be acquired 

 without a teacher, and that chance speaking and writing are 

 quite sufficient, have prevented many a young man from self- 

 acquiring a knowledge of it. My advice to them is simply 

 this, — give over reading of novels, and if you have been 

 foolish enough (I speak from a little experience) to pur- 

 chase any books that will not bear a second reading, sell 



