108 West London Gardeners' Association. 



■was discovered at a place called Dahlia, in Asia Minor. [The dahlia is a 

 native of Mexico, and was named after the Swedish botanist, Dahl, Mr. 

 Massey ought to be called upon to name the work in which he found such 

 a palpable absurdity.] Mr. Keane thought the essay too long, and more be- 

 wildering than edifying, in the historical part. He expatiated on the great 

 importance of other parts of the essay ; and read a letter from a friend at 

 Versailles, where oranges are successfully cultivated, stating the method of 

 culture and the compost used there. A dispute ensued between Mr. Keane 

 and Mr. Fish as to the advantage of learning to compound composts for dif- 

 ferent plants. Mr. Russel considered that the orange would grow in almost 

 every description of compost, and that the treatment, in other respects, was of 

 much more consequence; that the heather, though transplanted with its 

 native earth, would not flourish in the marsh, nor yet would the rush lux- 

 uriate, though moved with its mud to the mountain's brow. Mr. Caie made 

 a series of remarks upon watering well in summer, pruning the branches, and 

 thinning the fruit. Mr. Stormont advocated having oranges out of doors, as 

 being a great embellishment to a gentleman's residence in summer. Mr. 

 Caie contended that no true taste could be displayed in placing oranges on a 

 lawn as single specimens; that something like unity of expression would be 

 obtained by making a mass of them, and sinking them in the earth to the 

 surface of the tubs; but even then they would not be wholly in unison with 

 the surrounding scenery. Mr. Ayres explained and defended his essay; 

 showed that the historical part was most important; that it was not long 

 enouo'h, as several important particulars had been necessarily omitted ; and 

 tliat he did not doubt that a compost consisting of fewer materials would 

 answer; but he preferred giving one which he knew to be successful. He 

 also stated that he was indebted to his father for most of the practical parts, 

 and to various sources, but chiefly to the Library of Entertaining Knowledge, 

 for the historical part ; and finally directed attention to the vessels in which 

 orano-es were grown, disapproving of slate from its hard ungenial tendency, 

 rendered still more so from being generally daubed over with oil and varnish ; 

 and wished to know whether Kyanised wood would, from the corrosive sub- 

 limate used in its manufacture, be prejudicial to the roots of plants; as, if not, 

 a great saving would be effected. 



Oct. 2. 1837. — Classical Education. The principal business of the evening 

 was entered into by Mr. Keane, who read an essay on the advantages to be 

 derived from gardeners possessing a knowledge of the classics. Mr. Keane 

 laid great stress upon the fact that botanic names, &c., were derived from the 

 Greek and Latin ; that a thorough knowledge of these terms could only be 

 acquired by a knowledge of the respective languages; and that even the 

 proper pronunciation of the names of plants should be learnt at the fountain 

 head. He allowed, however, that the remuneration at present given to 

 gardeners was not sufficient to encourage them to acquire such attainments; 

 but he hoped that times were fast changing, and contended that a man's 

 jnental energies were such, that he had only to put them forth in any given 

 cause, and difficulties would vanish. 



Mr. Fish agreed with Mr. Keane in several of his propositions, especially 

 that the knowledge of the classics would be advantageous for ascertaining the 

 meaning of botanic terms ; but added that even a pretty extensive knowledge 

 of the classics would not always cure faults of pronunciation, as the Latin 

 language was pronounced differently in the north and south of Britain ; and 

 that, altogether, recommending a complete knowledge of the classics was un- 

 suitable for gardeners in their present circumstances, as it would take up time 

 which might be much better employed, the more especially since every 

 gardener could have access to catalogues, where the meaning of every word 

 was o^iven and properly accented. Mr. Fish then proceeded at great length 

 to rebut the propositions which had been advanced in support of the general 

 advantages of a classical education ; contending, among other things, that, 

 apart from the beautiful imagery of the ancient poets (but which frequently no 



