GARDENERS— PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. 



45 



men and apprentices may attain if they only receive the timely 

 and kindly help of some friend, along with their own endeavours 

 and exertions. Born of humble parents, his father being a 

 market gardener near Deptford or Greenwich, he was cradled in 

 the craft for which he afterwards became famous. Working his 

 way through many difficulties and hindrances, he eventually 

 became Curator of the Chelsea Botanic Gardens, which position 

 he held for forty-nine years. 



The reading of biographies of such men is encouraging, and 

 of a stimulating nature, so that an impetus is given to the reader 

 which develops new life and zeal, oftentimes of permanent 

 endurance, which results in the success and fame of a life 

 which at one time may have appeared blighted through in- 

 difference to grasp the golden opportunities offered. No calcu- 

 lation can be made as to the amount of good that would be done 

 by placing within the reach of the young gardeners of to-day 

 the chief incidents connected with the success of their prede- 

 cessors in the craft who have made themselves famous. 



Time forbids further reference to gardeners of the 18th 

 century, and I shall conclude my remarks on gardeners of the 

 past by a brief mention of a few who lived in the 19th century. 



John Claudius Loudon is a name that will ever be asso- 

 ciated with horticulture and its literature. From his earliest 

 years he had a love for plants and flowers, paying special at- 

 tention to their requirements, and to the making of beds and 

 walks in the little garden given to him by his father. This 

 natural taste was fostered and encouraged, and every oppor- 

 tunity possible was given to him for acquiring knowledge that 

 would help him on his selected course. At fourteen he was 

 placed under a nurseryman and landscape gardener. In 1803, 

 being then twenty years of age, he moved from Scotland, his 

 native country, to London, and obtained a situation as a land- 

 scape gardener. He afterwards became an agriculturist of note 

 and a voluminous writer. He had that energy, determination, 

 and perseverance which are found in few men, and no small 

 obstacles would thwart him from attaining the object he had in 

 view. His " Encyclopaedia of Gardening" appeared in 1822, 

 followed by encyclopaedias on agriculture, plants, and architec- 

 ture, the last of which appeared in 1832. Mrs. Loudon says : 

 " The labour was immense, and for several months he and I 



