48 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



their pet subjects and ample means to procure every essential 

 requisite for their cultivation. Many of them are also of an 

 experimental turn of mind, and do incalculable good towards the 

 development of horticulture by recording in the various gardening 

 periodicals the results of their labours. 



Of market gardeners we observe a wonderful difference as 

 regards tact, energy, and perseverance in the acquiring of know- 

 ledge, and putting that into practice so as to increase the turn- 

 over at little or no extra expense. Foresight is a great factor in 

 the success of such a business, and for a person to enter the race 

 -with any chance of success he must either have had a good 

 practical training or be especially endowed with business abilities. 

 Of all the various branches of horticulture this is one which 

 •demands our greatest attention, particularly if we are to hold 

 our own against the increased importations of foreign produce. It 

 is not for me to say what can or ought to be done to encourage the 

 development of home-grown produce at such a price as to ensure 

 the support and patronage of our own people. But I can say 

 that, even amidst the keen foreign competition of the present 

 time, I know many English growers who are making a living, 

 and who are from time to time enlarging their business pre- 

 mises. As Englishmen we cannot afford to be daunted by the 

 depressed state of commercial horticulture, but must fight 

 against it with renewed energies, and eventually victory will be 

 ours. 



As to the gentleman's gardener, I look upon him, if properly 

 trained and interested in his'work, as an all-round man, and one 

 that can undertake the management of any branch of horticulture 

 with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers. 



Perhaps it would be invidious to individualise, as there are so 

 many good men and true who have done invaluable service in 

 the interests of horticulture. But I may be pardoned for stating 

 what a gentleman's gardener's qualifications are expected to be. 

 First of all, his character must be able to bear the strictest in- 

 vestigation ; his integrity and uprightness irreproachable. His 

 general appearance should have a commanding influence, and 

 his countenance of a drawing rather than of a repulsive nature ; 

 a man you can approach with the confidence and assurance of 

 having meted out to you justice tempered with mercy. As to 

 his abilities, he must not only be thoroughly practical in all 



