Villa Gardens 31 



the journeyman gardener, whose views are so 

 frequently antagonistic to any form of in- 

 novation. 



I could fill a chapter with the misdeeds of 

 the outside man, and the records of his amazing 

 ignorance. His vocabulary also is mystifying 

 to the verge of madness, when he attempts 

 to enumerate the plants by name. A pro- 

 fessional of my acquaintance puzzled me with 

 such words as " Roaring Dandy," " Trader's 

 Canter" and "Miss Emily Anthem," and it 

 took some time to analyse these terms into 

 Rhododendron, Tradescantia and Mesem- 

 bryanthemum. 



My advice is, "be your own gardener." 

 Know your garden as you know your house 

 and friends. Your bulbs may be peacefully 

 resting beneath the soil, and you will not 

 forget them, but once let loose the man 

 amongst your beds, and he will sooner or 

 later put his spade through your choicest 

 treasures, and as likely as not never tell you 

 of the injury he has done. 



Therefore let no one come between you 



