GARDENERS — PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. 41 



reputation already earned by the past and present gardeners, and 

 to successfully compete against the importations of foreign 

 produce which are gradually on the increase. Every opportunity 

 should be given and concession made so as to develop the 

 horticultural industry of the old country. The education of 

 foreign gardeners is much superior to our own ; they not only 

 possess a knowledge of horticultural and kindred subjects, but 

 they have a good all-round education, and every assistance is 

 given them if they show special abilities for learning, and 

 becoming useful men in their profession. 



When the writer was an apprentice he was told that he 

 wanted more back work and less head work ; and, when a journey- 

 man, that if he didn't stop writing to the papers he would have 

 to find a fresh place. Is such treatment rational ? Is it 

 encouraging and advantageous to an individual or the nation ? 

 Is it English ? If our young men had the training and the 

 education that their foreign rivals have, I believe they would 

 hold their own against any country in the world ; for their 

 energy, perseverance, and determination is unequalled, much 

 less surpassed. 



In all trades and professions may be found second- and third- 

 rate workmen ; but these have not, as a rule, had a special 

 desire for the work they are engaged in, and for which they seem 

 totally unfitted ; but force of circumstances, favouritism, and 

 premiums are generally the cause of the glut of inferior 

 workmen. 



GARDENERS— PAST. 



We are told that previous to the Roman Conquest gardens- 

 worthy of recognition in our own country were conspicuous by 

 their absence ; consequently we can logically argue that 

 gardeners of special ability would be equally as conspicuous by 

 their absence. Horticultural progress from this period till the 

 17th century was very slow and little, through the invasions, 

 agitations, and local wars which kept the country more or less 

 upset and unsettled. In times of peace and plenty there would 

 be, undoubtedly, as in our own day, an increase of gardens, 

 which, along with those already in existence, would be kept in 

 an efficient state ; but at the relapse of trade and the appearance 

 of an approaching war the efficiency of the gardens would be 



