soldiers' gardens. 377 



stores on payment, if the men desire it. By these means, another 

 section of men would have an interest in the garden, and he fur- 

 nished with useful and profitable means of employment. Other 

 branches of industry might of course be added, if desired. 



12. Seeds might be given gratuitously, or at nominal prices. 

 They cannot well be raised by the "men, and the best plan will 

 be to procure them through the agency of the Horticultural 

 Society, which would probably undertake to supply them at cost 

 prices, or at a fixed charge. It is very essential to procure the 

 best seeds, and at the proper times ; and in these respects, as well 

 as in selecting suitable kinds, the Society possess great advan- 

 tages. The Society could also furnish plants ; and opportunities 

 of forwarding them with public stores or return carts might be 

 taken advantage of. Many seeds might be procured from the 

 gardens at TJtakamand and Bangalore, probably without charge, 

 as Government in a great measure supports these gardens. 



13. Each station garden should also be provided with a few 

 books on gardening for the use of the men. A small sum of 

 money, £15 or £20, would suffice for this purpose ; and a few 

 periodicals, such as the Gardeners' Chronicle, should be added 

 as published. In Nagpore and Saugor, Speeds' Handbook would 

 prove very useful ; in Hyderabad, Eiddel's Manual of Gardening ; 

 in Madras, Wight's Calendar and Jaffrey's Hints ; and on the 

 Nilgiri Hills, M'lvor's Beports. 



14. In many cantonments, the scourings of the streets, &c, 

 are removed at Government expense. These might be given to 

 the men, who would otherwise find a difficulty in procuring 

 manure. Besides, at all these stations there will be commissariat 

 cattle, and the manure derived from these will be available for 

 the garden, and will probably be sufficient for it. 



15. Animals should not be admitted on any account, or 

 quarrels will be frequent.' If disputes occur among the men, the 

 best plan to arrange differences, not amounting to offences, will 

 probably be by arbitration. The punishment for continued 

 quarrelling, or for any serious offence, should be exclusion from 

 the garden for a certain period. 



16. Some arrangements will be necessary for the protection of 

 the gardens at night, and during the absence of the men ; a good 



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