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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



are a few notable exceptions which greatly strengthen the case for a wide 

 extension of the principle advocated. 



In this direction there may be a considerable opening for the landscape 

 gardener — but, before it can be confidently demanded on his behalf, the 

 public must be satisfied as to the existencaof men fully qualified for the 

 work. It is only if this condition can be secured that the object may be 

 attained. 



The increased dignity and prestige which have attended the develop- 

 ment of scientific and artistic gardening must facilitate the attainment 

 of such an end. Gardening ranks no longer as a mere hobby. It has 

 developed into a great social factor — an issue into which I need not now 

 enter. It is a nursery of art and the school for the love of Nature. 



As a nation we proverbially prefer open-air amusement to artistic 

 indoor pursuits. Gardening as an out-door occupation therefore exhausts 

 a large share of our aesthetic impulses — a share, indeed, so large that it is 

 practically the national art. 



Both the art and our country might be equally advantaged by more 

 intimate associations with each other. Art can scarcely desire a better 

 medium of expression than those living forms of vegetation, which supply 

 so many arts with their best material for inspiration. 



Although it is suggested that the garden is the school for the love of 

 Nature, it is no paradox to say that the characteristic genius of English 

 gardening receives an impulse from the recognition of the natural beauties 

 of our country. 



An English landscape gardener, whose work is to appeal truly to the 

 mass of his fellow-countrymen, in addition to his other qualifications, 

 must have served a long apprenticeship in the school of Nature. 



The British Isles, thanks to their geological inconsistency, and to 

 other advantageous peculiarities, offer for study, within the smallest 

 radius, a wonderful variety of types of landscape beauty. 



The generosity of Nature in this country is emulated by many owners 

 of beautiful gardens. Their gardens are freely opened to the student, 

 and by this means gratuitous lessons in horticulture and artistic effect are 

 received, advantages resulting from, and only made possible by, great 

 expenditure of time and money. Such liberality is the greater because all 

 that is best is immediately seized for imitation, and, if possible, improved 

 upon. 



It would not be inappropriate to allude to the educational facilities 

 afforded by visits to the many splendid nurseries throughout the country, 

 and to the courtesy and goodwill of their owners. 



The opportunities for self-education offered to men who wish to follow 

 the profession of landscape gardening are therefore numerous and varied, 

 and at first sight it may appear that they are sufficient. 



Whether this be so or not depends entirely upon the ambition of the 

 student, and the scope of action which contents him or her. If he desires 

 to be self-reliant and does, not wish, for instance to be continually refer- 

 ring to the architect, civil engineer, or surveyor, for technical assistance, 

 he must be versed in such details of these sciences as are essential to his 

 operations. It is exceedingly difficult, however, for a student to 

 discriminate in the acquisition of knowledge of these details, and avoid 



