THE GARDENER. 



17 



ledge of it. A number have taught themselves several 

 languages, and many excel in almost every department 

 of mathematics and geometry. Some are scientific 

 meteorologists, naturalists in all the departments, and 

 a number are good draughtsmen. Many Scotch gar- 

 deners dip into metaphysics. " The development of 

 so much talent among gardeners, is no doubt owing to 

 the nature of their profession, which excites thought ; 

 to the isolation of their dwellings, and the necessity of 

 their staying at home in the evenings to look after the 

 hot-house fires ; and very much also to the kind indul- 

 gence of their masters, who, with very few exceptions, 

 allow them the use of whatever books they want from 

 their libraries." Then, after showing how much the 

 scientific periodicals on Horticulture, which have is- 

 sued from the press within the last quarter of a centurj' , 

 have tended to excite the talent of writing among 

 amateurs and practical men, he concludes with the 

 very just observation, that "notwithstanding all their 

 intellectual progress, gardeners still maintain theu' mo- 

 desty of deportment, and that high moral character, 

 which commands the respect of their employers and of 

 all who know them." 



CHAPTER n. 



GENERAL DIRECTIONS, AND GARDEN REQUISITES. 



The sciences which the gardener who is master of 

 his art must cultivate, and Horticulture itself, tend 

 indeed in a high degree to elevate his character both 

 intellectually and morally. There is nothing mean or 

 sordid in his everyday pursuits. The book of nature 

 is before him, and he reads some of its most delightful 

 pages. Can he be uninfluenced by the pure and ex- 

 alted subject of his contemplations ? Even the humble 



B 



